The year is zooming along with great new releases all over the place.
“Lady On Fire” is the over the top third single from glam-prog rocker Bobbie Dazzle from her latest record Fandabidozi.
Robert Jon and the Wreck are “Sittin’ Pretty with their high-octane single from their upcoming long player.
And, Elton John and Brandi Carlile are set to release a proper great album in April.
But don’t stop there. Here are five really cool albums put forward for your listening pleasure.
Crazy Lixx – Thrill Of The Bite
With a slightly revamped band following the departure of drummer Joel Cirera leaving only one original band member since their debut in 2007, Crazy Lixx is out with their latest long player of unflinching, never wavering Sunset Strip sleaze rock. And it’s glorious.
The opener “Highway Hurricane” is AC/DC on steroids complete witj just the right nuance of cowbell, “Midnight Rebel” could have been a great call and response early era Bon Jovi song, and who can argument with the sentiment expressed on “Who Said Rock And Roll Is Dead”
If you are looking for a less than nuanced guilty pleasure listen that will take you back to the good time freewheeling days, the swinging Swedes in Crazy Lixx will scratch that itch.
Honey Crisp – Yesteryears
Hailing from Helsinki Poland, Honey Crisp draws from the melodic side of the singer-songwriter esthetic that was popular back in the day.
Wandering from a less vocally talented Brian Wilson to a lower register Leo Sayer and a Greg Kihn clone, the record carries a bit of nostalgia about it while still maintaining a certain freshness.
Thankfully, just when the waters are starting to venture into yacht-rock territory the course is triangulated into a smooth ride of 60’s crooner proportions that would make Peter Noone blush.
The Altons – Heartache In Room 14
The Altons, and their latest record Heartache In Room 14, just might be the salve that is needed to cure all of the negativity swirling around the world right now.
With a blend of a Soul and Jazz infusion, it is somewhat incongruous to believe that this record was birthed in 2025 and not in the back of a dimly lit Soho Jazz bar with a drugged-up Niba Simone commanding the smoke-filled room.
The musicianship here is on point. The production is not pristine but is perfectly tuned to the retro vibes that the record is going for.
This one is a refreshing listen meant to be heard in one sitting.
The Delines – Mr. Luck Ms. Doom
The Delines, courtesy of Willy Vlautin, crown prince of the dour, disenfranchised, and the down-and-outers, are back with another set of vignettes that give you a glimpse of what it looks like on the other side of the street. If you don’t already live there that is.
With Amy Boone providing the world-worn vocals, the listener is presented with a woman who is on the lam after robbing a drug operation in “Maureen’s Missing,” a failed criminal and a housekeeper in the title track, and “Nancy & The Pensacola Pimp,” where a woman takes revenge on her pimp.
Listen to this live-affirming set of Raymond Chandler-noir short stories set to music in a leather chair with a good whisky and a cigar.
Spiders – Sharp Objects
There is a freshness about the Swedish rock band Spiders that is contrary to its classic rock roots. Drawing inuences from 80’s Sunset Strip, British New Wave, and Garage rock scenes, their latest record rides the rails with the smoothness of a bullet train.
“What’s Your Game (Miss Insane) could have been an Adam Ant B Side, Opener “Rock ‘n’ Roll Band” has a bit of Faces by way of Boston about it, and “Fun In The Sun,” courtesy of front-woman Anne-Sofie Hoyle’s vocal prowess is The Go Go’s on steroids.
Spanning era’s genres, and styles, this is a band that 13 years in may just be hitting their stride.
Rock Is The New Roll 