Category: Five Cool Ones

Five Cool Ones: The Bourbon Trail, Five Cool Bourbon Inspired Songs

Here at Rock is the New Roll we are big fans of the Rockin’ The Suburbs Podcast. Their latest episode features Bourbon songs. At the end of the episode they asked for listeners to come up with their own Bourbon song list. So, it seemed like a good time for Bernie Sparrow, Jeremy Wren, Nigel Owl, Cletus Crow and the rest of the Rock is the New Roll editorial staff to get their Bourbon Mojo going.

James LeBlanc – Five Star Dive Bar

A five star dive bar seemed to be a good place to start a Bourbon crawl. So, we powered up the Chevy and headed to the levy looking for some Neon Lights.

The Cadillac Three – All The Makings of a Saturday Night

This one pretty much says it all as we start climbing the party hill.

“Conway, Johnny Cash, Merle Haggard, Charlie Daniels, Jim Beam Black Label sip sip fast.”

“That spot nobody knows just me and my bros and my special lady friend shaking that ass, we got all the makin’s of a Saturday night.”


John Lee Hooker – Big Legs, Tight Skirt

We are on the third round now, that’s 9 fingers if your scoring at home, and the buzz is starting to kick in as you check out the clientele in the dive bar.

Dale Watson – Call Me Lucky

We are in the dive bar sweet spot now. 12 fingers, four drinks down the pipe now and we are on warp speed. Tensions are released, inhibitions are slowly melting away.

“One on the right, one on the left, one is a blonde, ones a brunette, if you don’t know my name, I bet you can guess, they call me Lucky.”

Tom Waits – The Piano Has Been Drinking (Not Me)

We now have crossed the Cape of Good Hope and are in uncharted territory, so much so that we have lost track of how many Bourbons we have had. Naturally, there is no better time than the present to show off my musical prowess by getting up in front of the crowded bar to tickle the ivories. There are two problems with this however. First, I don’t know how to play the piano, and second, there is no piano in the dive bar. Stay tuned for “Sunday Morning Coming Down.”

Five Cool Ones: Five Albums Released Today (September 13, 2019)

Janiva Magness – Janiva Magness Sings John Fogerty

As big fans of Janiva Magness when she plays it straight, and here where she covers some of our favorite John Fogerty songs we are all in as well. Thankfully no “Centerfield” here, but with such afternoon delights as “Lodi” with Sam Morrow, Rock is the New Roll favorite “A Hundred and Ten in the Shade,” and a sublime version of “Have You Ever Seen The Rain, this one is a stone cold winner.

Jeremy Ivey – The Dream and the Dreamer

Mostly known for his work with Buffalo Clover as well as his role as Mr. Margo Price, Jeremy Ivey is stepping out on his own in fine fashion. Here, his 60’s County-Pop flag is flying as he carries his Laurel Canyon vibe to what should be the start of a terrific solo career. “Diamonds back to Coal” is the cream of a stellar crop.

Sam Fender – Hypersonic Missiles

He has already opened for Bob Dylan and Neil Young, and now, with the release of his full-length debut, Sam Fender is poised for the next level. Already drawing comparisons to Bruce Springsteen, his rousing arena ready anthems the likes of “Will We Talk” are U2 meets the Boss in their respective prime.

Twin Peaks – Lookout Low

Famous for their live shows in their home town of Chicago, on Lookout Low the band channels 70’s FM Rock. Produced by Ethan Johns, the setting is Big Star in places and Basement era The Band in others. “Dance Through It” has a Jackson Browne by way of Simple Minds flavor to it and is worth the price of admission alone.

Leeroy Stagger – Strange Path

Americana artist Leroy Stagger delivers a solid set of Roots Rock. Listen to Leeroy channel his inner Tom Petty on “Deeper Well” and pay tribute to the late Tragically Hip singer on “Hey! Hey! (Song For Gord).”

Five Cool Ones: Five New Albums Released This Week (September 6, 2019)

Black Star Riders – Another State of Grace

With a more than solid follow up to 2017’s album Heavy Fire, this band born from the ashes of Thin Lizzy continues to place themselves on the mount Rushmore of bands that are saving Rock and Roll. The song “Don’t Let Me Down” is a distant cousin to Lizzy’s “Dancing In The Moonlight and is worth the price of admission alone.” The title track is Thin Lizzy meets Dropkick Murphy’s.

Crystal Gayle – You Don’t Know Me

Her first new record in 16 years, Crystal Gayle goes back to her country roots covering classic country tunes the likes of “Walking After Midnight,” “Crying Time,” and “Hello Walls.” “Put it Off Tomorrow” with Tanya Tucker and Peggy Sue Wright lending their voices is a highlite. Extra credit is given for not including her mega-hit “Don’t It Make My Brown Eyes Blue” on this set.

Iggy Pop – Free

These days it seems that Iggy Pop is trying to channel his inner David Bowie, and truth be told, this is a bit of a miss-step for the godfather of Punk. This record is an odd patchwork of free-form jazz, poetry, ambient sounds, and beat poet musings and it does not quite hit the mark. It seems he has lost his lust for life a bit. But, If you are an Iggy fan you have another era in his storied career to savor.

The Highwomen – The Highwomen

A somewhat hipper spin on the Highwaymen since Brandi Carlile Maren Morris, Amanda Shires, and Natalie Hemby are all pretty much in the prime of their careers, unlike their semi-namesakes that were already on the other side of the hill. Here, the songwriting is crisp, the chemistry is electric, and even though this record was put together pretty quickly there is no sense that this is a one and done project.

Paul Cauthen – Room 41

His 2016 album My Gospel was a terrific record, and this one is even better. Written mostly in room 41 in artist haven that is The Belmont hotel in Dallas, Cauthen’s voice has been said to sound like all four of the Highwaymen combined.

Five Cool Ones – Five Cool Albums Released This Week (August 30, 2019)

Sheryl Crow – Threads

It would be easier to list who is not playing on this record than who is. We are talking Willie, of course, Chris Stapleton, Bonnie Raitt, Mavis Staples, Stevie Nicks, Eric Clapton, Neil Young, Jason Isbell, Joe Walsh, Emmylou, James Taylor, and literally many more. Sure most of these folks might not have been in the same room when they recorded their vocals, such is the world in this digital age, but it’s all pretty good.


Jesse Malin – Sunset Kids

This guy loves Neil Young, Tom Waits, and Steve Earle, and that’s good enough for us. On this one, he collaborates with Lucinda twice along with Billie Joe Armstrong.

G-Flip – About Us

Georgia Flipo, otherwise known as G Flip, is a Melbourne artist that is standing on the precipice of fame. This is addictive, shimmering Pop-fastic fun.

Honeyboy Slim & The Bad Habits – Who Put The Jinx?

Who knew that the best blue eyed soul of the year this side of St. Paul and The Broken Bones would come from Sweden.

Joan Shelley – Like The River Loves The Sea

This record is a slow burn. After one listen you will go, ok, Joni Mitchell for the new millennium. After a second listen you will think there is something a bit deep going on here. And, after a third listen, you will be putting this record on your own personal best of the year lists. This record is sensual, provocative and alarming all at the same time.

Five Cool Ones: Five New Albums Released This Week (August 23, 2019)

Jason Hawk Harris – Love & the Dark

Another stellar artist from Blood Shot records. He sounds a bit like Jason Isbell, carries with him a Lyle Lovett swagger, and composes a song with the best of them. I will stand on Steve Earle’s coffee table and call out Love & the Dark as one of the best Americana records of 2019.

Tanya Tucker – While I’m Living

Somewhat unbelievably, this is Tanya Tucker’s first set of original songs in 17 years. With production help from Brandi Carlisle and Shooter Jennings on tunes like “Bring My Flowers Now,” a song where Tanya sounds a bit like Lucinda, and “The Wheels of Laredo” that give us all hope that we might be seeing a Johnny Cash/Rick Rubin type career resurrection right before our very ears.

Vince Gill – Okie

When Vince Gill settles into his vocal pocket on a song like he does here over an entire album, the results can be glorious. Stepping out from his Eagles gig, the Oklahoma roots are showing on just about all of these 12 stellar tunes. Highlights abound, but “A World Without Haggard” and “Nothin’ Like A Guy Clark Song” stand above the rest. This Okie has still got it!

Sheer Mag – A Distant Call

From the opening salvo of “Steel Sharpens Steel,” the first song out of the chute here, you are hit between the ears with a Rock and Roll steamroller of a singer that roars like the devil spawn of Suzi Quatro and Joan Jett fronting Thin Lizzy. And yes, this much awaited album is as much of a brilliant guilty pleasure as you would think it would be.

Midland – Let It Roll

The agony of having to wait for the full album after the release of several ear enticing singles is finally over. Think Glen Campbell Rhinestone Cowboy era Country Style with this band of stellar musicians out of Dripping Springs Texas. We have tried very hard not to like this band and are failing miserably.

Five Cool Ones: Five Cool Albums Released This Week (August 16, 2019)

Things are definitely heating up as we jet towards the end of the year. Rodney Crowell releases his Texas Album, Americana stalwart Drew Holcomb delivers a solid set and there a bunch more gems.

Rodney Crowell – Texas

Ronnie Dunn, Willie Nelson, Billy Gibbens, Lyle Lovett and more celebrate all things Texas from the border to the oil patches, the strip bars honky-tonks. From the Piney Woods to the Rio Grande this record is almost as big as the state.

Ikebe Shakedown – Kings Left Behind

This 7 piece instrumental band from Brooklyn fills the air with a steamy brew of Funk, Soul, and Spaghetti Western Retro Psychedelic flair. This one is the soundtrack for when you are getting ready to go out on a Saturday night.

Madison Cunningham – Who Are They Now

It seems appropriate that Madison Cunningham would eventually land on the Verve record label. Her nuanced and sophisticated guitar playing and vocal delivery will remind you of Joni Mitchell in her prime. The songwriting is pure Karla Bonoff.

Lillie Mae – Other Girls

Released on Jack Whites Third Man Records with Producer Dave Cobb at the helm Lillie Mae’s bluegrass leanings are as subtle as they could get without disappearing all together.

Bobby Rush – Sitting On Top Of The Blues

Veteran Bobby Rush might be the last real Blues man standing this side of Buddy Guy. Have guitar and harmonica, will travel. And brilliantly we might add.

Five Cool Ones: Five New Albums Released Today (August 2, 2019)

Tyler Childers – Country Squire

A more than solid follow up to his 2017 release, purgatory. The songwriting appears to have a bit more of an edge and even without Sturgill on the knobs the production value is pristine.

The Bird and the Bee – Interpreting The Masters, Vol. 2 (A Tribute To Van Halen)

There really is no legitimate reason for this album to exist. But, we are sure glad it does. No new ground is forged here, just some off the wall versions of “Jump,” “Hot For Teacher,” and “Panama.” Hell, they even cover “Unchained” and Eruption. Even still, only die-hard VH fans need apply.

Volbeat- Rewind, Replay, Rebound

With each successive record Hard Rockers Volbeat seem to be softening slightly, losing the heavy metal angst without giving up any of their Rock and Roll swagger. The vocal harmonies here are a pleasant change, but make no mistake, with songs the likes of “Pelvis on Fire” these cats are still very capable of rocking your ears off.

Mike and the Moonpies – Cheap Silver and Solid Country Gold

These guys are what Honky Tonk is all about, Texas style. At a tidy 8 songs and 31 minutes you don’t quite feel the energy they put out in their live shows, but nothing is lost in this strong set. “You Look Good In Neon” is a hi-light that would make George Strait proud and their version of the Guy Clark staple “London Homesick Blues” is close to perfect.

Creedence Clearwater Revival – Live at Woodstock

Released as part of the mammoth box set of 38 CD’s consisting of every song performed at the concert. For the first time ever we get to hear the remastered performances from Creedence Clearwater Revival, a band at the peak of their powers.

Five Cool Ones: Five New Albums Released This Week (July 26, 2019)

A really good week for new releases despite the fact that Sugar Ray has a new record out.

Violent Femmes – Hotel Last Resort

Always consistent, on their tenth studio album not much has changed. Their Folk-Punk sound is still a bit angst ridden with Gordon Gango’s voice as strong as ever. There is no “Blister In The Sun” here, but on the strength of songs like “Not Ok” and “This Free Ride” that are so good no one will really notice. Long time fans need not worry. The Femmes are still a cult band in the best sense of the word.

Chris Gantry – Nashlantis

During the salad days of the 60’s and 70’s Outlaw Country scene Chris Gantry was the pesky younger brother to the big guys Kris, Johnny, Willie, Waylon and the rest of the better known names. A highly respected tune smith, Gantry most famously penned “Dreams of the Everyday Housewife” made famous by Glen Campbell. With this serving of fine song-craft and storytelling as a more than solid follow up to 2017’s Psych-Folk mini- masterpiece At the House of Cash, the 76 year old may just be the last outlaw standing after all is said and done.

Mikey Erg – Waxbuilt Castles

Mikey Erg self describes his latest solo release as his version of McCartney’s first record, homemade, loose, and not overthought.

Delbert McClinton – Tall, Dark, And Handsome

Delbert pretty much paints from the entire Blues palette on this one. From Jump Blues to Dirty Blues, Country Blues, and Delta Blues with a little bit of Smokey Jazz mixed in, this one has a little bit of everything. Tall Dark and Handsome Doesn’t break any new ground but should serve to remind us that much like John Hiatt, Delbert McClinton is a National treasure.

Lasers Lasers Birmingham – Warning

The clear winner for funkiest band name of the week Lasers Lasers Birmingham is the Country project for LA based singer songwriter Alex Owen. With music that can be described as modern day songwriting with Classic Country sensibilities. Much like Orville Peck this album is a bit genre defying and opens up the landscape of Country Music to a new audience.

Five Cool Ones: Five Cool Albums Released This Week (July 19,2019)

Another pretty good release week. This time we get a sort of Beach Boys album with Mike Love’s 12 sides of Summer, a record by Darren Hyman celebrating the moon landing and astronauts in general called 12 Astronauts, and if your into this sort of thing, Creed frontman Scott Stapp has a record out to the sound of one hand clapping. Here are five morsels that have grabbed our ear-tention this week.

I See Hawks in LA and The Good Intentions – Hawks With Good Intentions

Riding the Laurel Canyon wave that is very hot right right now, I See Hawks in LA, a band that has recently as two years ago was called the greatest Country Band in the world, is mining 70’s Country Rock gold with this collaboration with The Good Intentions.

Tuxedo – Tuxedo III

The third installment of Mayer Hawthorne’s side-piece band. Here, he channels his inner KC and the Sunshine band with another set of more than solid 70’s inspired Funk and Disco gems. This one might be the most fun record of the year so far.

Collective Soul – Blood

On this, their 11th record Collective Soul mines some deep familiar territory and that is not a bad thing. Sure, it will have you swirling your memory banks back to their debut record Hints, Allegations & Things Unsaid leaving you remembering what a great record it really was. Playing it forward, opener “Now’s the Time” is a great re-introduction and “Right as Rain” stands up with their best work.

Glen Campbell – The Legacy (1961-2017)

Finally, the collection that is deserving of the icon that is Glen Campbell has finally arrived. Taking you down a rabbit hole past “By The Time I Get To Phoenix,” “Wichita Lineman,” “Galveston,” and many more hits. But, it is on the deep tracks where the Mojo of Glen really shines. “Bonaparte’s Retreat is a jaunty pleasure, his honey-voiced take on “Everybody’s Talkin'” is sublime, and the last song he ever recorded, “Adios” is a perfect ending to a perfect set of songs.

Ada Lea – What We Say In Private

Distinctly Low-Fi, there is an ambient relaxing vibe to most of the songs in this set. Sure, there are a couple of snappy ear worms like the opener “Mercury,” but for the most part the hushed vocals translates to a hushed vibe. This album is both bold and delicate if that is even possible, and in this case with this exquisite singer-songwriter it is not only possible, it is locked and loaded. Listen to this one with head phones for the full effect.

Five Cool Ones: Five Cool Albums Released Today (July 12, 2019)

Sure, we are just biding our time for the new Rodney Crowell and Delbert McLinton records to come out, but after a week off there are still some gems to cull from the herd.

The Steel Wheels – Over The Trees

This Virginia based Americana band has just enough bluegrass to keep things cool. The song writing is first rate, the harmonies are really spot on and their life on the road song “Road Never Ends” is a highlight almost making you feel like you are in the back of a van at 3:00 in the morning heading to your next venue.

The Dollyrots – Daydream Explosion

Little Steven’s favorite all girl band is back at it with another more than solid set of girl group Surf Noir. There are not about saving the world. Living La Vida Loca is just fine with them.

Kyle Craft – Showboat Honey

This dude is a bit genre defying, this dude is. A bit Kinks, slightly Brit Pop, some Power Pop Badfinger, but it’s all pretty cool. This one is a nifty follow up to the equally excellent Full Circle Nightmare from all the way back in 2018.

Khruangbin – Hasta El Cielo

This Houston, Tx based group is the chilliest band on the scene today. Their blend of Mediterranean Psychedelic Surf-Noir will put you in a haze you may never want to shake off.

Imperial Teen – Now We are Timeless

There is a definite 80’s Brit-Pop feel to this band. Based primarily out of San Francisco led by Faith No More’s Roddy Bottum these former punk bad boys deliver a surprisingly coherent set of ear inspiring mini marvels.