Category: Singer Songwriter

Five Cool Ones: Five New Albums Released This Week (November 1, 2024)

Careening towards the end of the year, there is a bevy of great music to bathe our ears in.

The Nude Party is bubbling up with their unique take on the Laurel Canyon sound.

Newcomers Velvet Rush are setting the stage to be factors in 2025.

And, Los Lonely Boys are now touring promoting their aptly named record Resurrection.

But, don’t go to sleep just yet. Here are five new records to savor this week.

Warren Haynes – Million Voices Whisper

It has been ten years since his last solo trip around the sun with the highly recommended excellent Ashes and Dust released in 2014 after all he is an adopted son in the Allman Brothers family and has his active band in Gov’t Mule, so he has been sort of busy.

And Now, with guest drop-ins from Derek Trucks, Lukas Nelson and Jamey Johnson, Haynes has crafted one of the best records in his career.

With songs already written that had less of a Southern Rock vibe to them that did not fit the Govt’ Mule essence, Haynes culled them from the herd for his solo project.

“Real,Real Love with Duane Allman worthy slide work courtesy of Derek Trucks plays like a Bonnie Raitt ballad, the politically motivated Day Of Reckoning” is completed with a chorus that includes Haynes, Lukas Nelson and Jamey Johnson, and “Hall Of Future Saints” is a blues marvel that name checks Ray Charles, James Brown and Elmore James among others.

Welcome Home Warren Haynes.

The Virginmarys – The House Beyond The Fires

Part Punk, lots of Rock with a bit of blues sprinkled in, guitar player Ally along with drummer and husband Danny Dolan make some beautiful noise together with their band The Virginmarys.

From the full-tilt boogie of “You’re A Killer” to the frenetic swagger of “Lies, Lies, Lies.” on to the staccato rhythms of “Trippin New York City” there is barely a chance to take a breath on this post-punk call to arms.

Willie Nelson – Last Leaf On The Tree

With 153 records under his bandanna, there is not a lot to say that hasn’t been said when a new Willie Nelson record comes out. This one is pure Willie at his most frail coming from the perspective of a man and guitar that are at the back end of a life well Lived.

Much like Johnny Cash did in his Sunset series of songs with American V: A Hundred Highways, here with the title track “Last Leaf On The Tree,” the mournful “The Ghost,” and the poignant reading of Zevon’s “Keep Me In Your Heart” all cover the reflections of a man and a guitar that are peace with their mortality.

Jeremie Albino – Our Time In The Sun

Coming from the stable of thoroughbreds at Dan Auerbach’s Easy Eye Sound, Our Time In The Sun, Jeremie Albino’s fourth album seems to straddle that line between glistening present-day and vintage throw-back with the dexterity of a tight rope walker.

Auerbach, with his effective usage of vintage instruments, live-in-studio recording, and uncluttered production perfectly complements the everyman vibe that Albino generates.

“Rolling Down The 405” with 70’s one hit wonder dusting just might be the driving song of the year.

Paul Kelly – Fever Longing Still

It seems absurd that this will be the first proper post we have delivered concerning Paul Kelly, universally considered to be Australia’s finest singer-songwriter. Yet, here it is.

With this, his 29th studio record, and first solo release since 2018’s Nature, Kelly mixes it up with minds-eye narratives on “Hounds Tooth Dress” and National Geographic-worthy widescreen landscapes as he does on “Northern Rivers” as well as on the closer “Going To The River With Dad,” a song that would have fit in quite nicely in the canon of Harry Nilsson.

Regarded now along with Paul Weller, Nick Lowe and Elvis Costello as one of the senior singer songwriters of the day it is no wonder that Paul Kelly is nationally considered to be the Bruce Slringsteen of Australia.

Five Cool Ones: Five New Records Released This Week (October 25,2024)

Going down the stretch in 2024 there is a bustle of activity on the new music front.

Gyasi embraces the joy of 70’s glam rock with “Sweet Thing,”

And, if all of that is not enough, Jesse Malin has just released his first new music since his stroke with “Argentina.”

Cats In Space – Time Machine

With Time Machine, Cats In Space continues to plant their flag on the hallowed grounds of Classic ‘70s Rock and Roll.

With loud guitars, pristine multi-track harmonies, and knob-twirling tighter than skin on an apple, this record brings to the minds ear the glory days of Deep Purple, Night Ranger, and REO Speedwagon.

The opener and title track would be well-placed on any Toto album, “Yesterdays Sensation” has a Styx “Renegade Vibe,” and the instrumental “Ivory Anthem” bursts out Meatloaf style like a bat out of hell.

Don’t sleep on this one.

Chuck Prophet – Wake The Dead

14 records in now, having recently recovered from stage four lymphoma, Chuck Prophet joined by Cumbia group Qiensave is at the top of his game with the release of his latest record, Wake The Dead.

Over 11 tracks Prophet digs deep into Cumbia music using traditional Latin American instruments including accordions, a bajo sexto (Mexican twelve-string guitar), and a Farisa Organ along with Tejano and bolero stylings making this an electrically groovy listen.

Beth Hart – You Still Got Me

This one has been bubbling for most of the year with the drip-release of some gritty singles including “Savior With A Razor” featuring Slash, and “Suga N My Bowl,” a song that features some axe assistance courtesy of Eric Gales.

With her vocal growl better than ever and her women empowerment messaging on full display, Beth seems to be at the peak of her powers most notably demonstrated on “Never Underestimate A Gal,” and the should-be country classic, “Wanna Be Big Bad Johnny Cash.”

And, of course, Beth’s ability to craft a song that reaches the depth of your soul is always bubbling just beneath the surface, this time with “Don’t Call The Police” and “You Still Got Me.”

Scarlet Rebels – Where the Colours Meet

Scarlet Rebels Where The Colours Meet, released just in time for rock record of the year consideration, with a landscape of anthemic rock bringing both U2 and Muse to the minds ear.

From the opener “Secret Drug” a song that sounds like a street fight between AC/DC and The Cult, all the way to “Out of Time,” an epic ballad that features Elles Bailey, there is not a rat floating in this punch bowl.

Tack this band up on your bands to follow wall.

Lone Justice – Viva Lone Justice

From the band that virtually invented the term Alternative Country, Viva Lone Justice is their first album in 40 years. Releasing their self-titled record that was deemed the 1984 record of the year in some circles, they have scarcely been heard of since.

And now, with an album cobbled together in the studio with all of the original band members, going down a country classic deep rabbit hole reinterpreting other people’s songs.

With Maria Mckee serving as ringleader the band offers up an almost unlistenable version of Dolly Parton’s “I Will Always Love You,” from the bowells of the Appalachian mountains “Wade In The Water” is delivered, and for some odd reason, “Teenage Kicks” is on the menu.

Is there a really good reason for this record to exist? The answer is no. But if for nothing else, bringing the albums Lone Justice and Shelter back to the minds ear for some much-delayed spins Viva Lone Justice has served its purpose

What We’re Listening To (October 13, 2024)

Chuck Prophet – Wake the Dead

Chuck Prophet, coming out of the good end of a cancer scare, has teamed up with Cumbia group Quiensave for a rhythmic journey across the globe.

Massive Wagons – The Good Die Youg

The ascent of Massive Wagons has been steady but strong over the last couple of years. Their ascension from club band to arena act has not diminished their ability to deliver in the Status Quo by way of Wildhearts mold.

Casts In Space – Time Machine

It would be a fool’s errand to sleep on the sincerity of Cats in Space and their ability to completely own their blanket of 80’s ballad rock.

The New Roses – When You Fall In Love

There is more than a little smoke from Rainbow’s “Since You’ve Been Gone” fire wafting in the air on this single from The New Roses latest record, Attracted To Danger.

The Heavy Heavy – Feel

Riding a British invasion train on a track of Goats Head Soup era Rolling Stones, this one would have been a spot-on summer anthem. If, summer was roll a thing that is.

Five Cool Ones – Five New Records Released This Week (September 27, 2024)

With just a few blockbusters set for release later in the year, there are still a few diamonds to be mined this week.

Dutch masters DeWolff are back with their ‘70s style organ-drenched rock with “In Love.”

The semi-stripped-down reincarnation of Dawes is prepping for an album later in the year.

And, The Darkness, one of the best new bands to come out in the last 10 years, is out with another Queen-inspired operatic wonder.

But fear not, there’s more. Here are five more pieces of dust in the wind to savor this week.

Nick Lowe – Indoor Safari

Nick Lowe along with his cronies in Los Straitjackets with Indoor Safari have crafted what is sure to be one of the cooler albums of the year. Starting with the opener “Went To A Party” the Tiki-surf noir is dialed up to 11. “Crying Inside” comes across like a long-lost Roy Orbison tune, and “Lay Ot On Me” is classic vintage Nick Lowe.

Never straying far from his sweet spot, this one sounds classically vintage and contemporary at the same time.

Sam Millar – Virtual Summer

A bit late for the peak-summer beach vibing, Virtual Summer is hands down the best summer anthem meets power ballad record of the year.

Millar himself has said that releasing these gems now will give the listener something to hold on to when winter sets in allowing them to create their own virtual summer.

Bon Jovi-adjacent highlights abound including the 80’s stolen jam “Chardonnay” and the Duran Duran vibing “Deja Vue.”

This one stands on its own merit as the best back-to-the-future record of the year.

Billy Strings – Highway Prayers

Billy Strings is quickly morphing himself into the best live performer, in any genre, on the planet. Somehow finding the time to release a proper long-player right in the middle of his hectic tour schedule.

On this one, Strings has somehow managed to channel the Americana magic of Stapelton and Sturgill while maintaining his unflinching bluegrass ethos.

A bit on the longer side, this one weighs in at about one hour and 15 minutes, the 20 original songs represented here are a great way to experience the pure musicianship of one of the best virtuosos to come around in the last several decades.

JD McPherson – Night Owls

JD McPherson is front and center with his Duane Eddy stylings on his first proper non holiday album since 2017’s Undivided Heart and Soul.

With one foot in the Rockabilly ethos and the other in vintage ‘60s surf guitar McPherson has created a deliciously eclectic wonderment of a record.

The title track carries a Cars Mantra, and the instrumental “The Phantom Lover Of New Rochelle” is an aggressive surf guitar throwback.

This one is a brilliant return for a sorely missed artist.

Pale Waves – Smitten

Buoyant exuberance, anthemic propulsion, and layered production are the touchstones of this excellent record from the Manchester-based band Pale Waves.

Led by the effervescent Heather Baron-Gracie, the band sashays their way through a solid set of arena-ready misses that bring to the minds ear The Corrs by way of Stevie Nicks.

The closer “Slow” is a slow-burn stunner from a band that seems to be reaching the peak of their powers.