Five Cool Ones: Five New Albums released this week (November 29, 2019)

Since we are contractually and philosophically obligated to steer away from covering any Christmas releases, the pickings are a bit slim this week. But, fear not fellow music aficionados, there are a couple of cool ones along with some spicy reissues that are deserving to be heard.

Mapache – Mapache

A stripped down version of their laid back Laurel Canyon ethos, this one is carries so much ’70s DNA it could be dating Linda Ronstadt.

If You’re Going To The City: A Tribute To Mose Allison

Mose Allison is one interesting dude. A unicorn of sorts, he plays well in the worlds of Jazz, Blues, Folk, and Americana. Here, Iggy Pop, Bonnie Raitt, Chrissie Hynde, and even Richard Thompson makes an appearance on this one. “Stop This World” and “Parchman Farm” are both pretty special, but the entire set is ear-worthy.

Shawn Lee – Rides Again

Shawn Lee has been around a bit, since the late 80,s and with his vibe of Pop, New-Soul, and 60’s Motown Groove, his latest effort has a distinct retro feel that is cleansing to the palate.

Willie Nile – Beautiful Wreck of a World

Willie Nile, the king of New York, has been creating pretty great music since the 70’s. Sort of a mix of Mink DeVille and Lou Reed, this reissue from 2004 is is a great primer to learn more about an artist that very much should be on your radar.

Jack Green – Humanesque

Known mostly for his work with The Pretty Things, Jack Green has reissued his first solo release, Humanesque, from way back in 1980. Power Pop in the Greg Kihn mold, “I Call No Answer” features Ritchie Blackmore before before he went all Renaissance crazy.

What We’re Listening To Wednesday (November 27, 2019)

It’s been a bit slow on the music scene the last couple of weeks, but despite the lack of quality there definitely is a whole lot of quality.

Daniel Donato – Never Been a Lover

Yet another great singer from the Nashville vicinity, his recently released e.p., Starlight, has been on heavy rotation at Rock is the New Roll H.Q..

Nils Lofgren – Pretty Soon

His work with Bruce Springsteen, of course, is legendary, and his back in the day band Grin is pretty cool as well. But we love his solo work the best.

Tim Buckley – Hong King Bar

Tim Buckley’s 1972 release Greetings from L.A. is on the top 50 platters of all time to our ears. Tim Buckley, Jeff’s father, like his son met an untimely end. With a style that is a bit less hazy than his son’s and slightly more accessible, the album is pure ’70s Folk Rock at its finest.

The High Divers – Ride With You

Another one of the fine bands from Charleston, SC, the Tom Petty influence can’t be shaken, but that is never a bad thing. Their entire e.p. is a treat especially when the entire band jumps in like they do on “Our Love Is A Fire.”

David Blue – Grand Hotel

Roaming round on the fringes of the Laurel Canyon scene in the days of Linda, The Eagles and the rest of the denizens, David Blue, for unknown reasons, never really caught the wave the others rode to stardom. Always rooting for the underdog, his catalog is worth a listen.

Mother Hips – White Falcon Fuzz

Mixing pretty much all of the genres that we love, Americana, Pop, Psych, California Boogie, with a touch of Jam-Band on the side, this S.F. based band is our go-to music comfort food.

Live Video of the Day: Blackberry Smoke – Flesh and Bone (Homecoming: Live In Atlanta)

From their epic newly released album recorded live at The Tabernacle in Atlanta in 2018. All of their hits are on this set plus a couple of choice covers in “Space Captain” and (Not Fade Away.)

The Top Songs of 2019 (40-36)

There have been a lot of really great songs released in 2019. This year, we will be revealing our top 100 songs five tunes at a time all the way to number one. Here are our picks for 40-36

40. Dirty Honey – Rolling 7s

If like most of us, you are sick and tired having just about every music critic this side of Cameron Crowe trying to jam Greta Van Fleet down your throat as the next great Rock and Roll band, we present to you, Dirty Honey. This L.A. band plays what they call “new-fashioned Rock and Roll.” With a sound that is some sort of devil hybrid between Led Zeppelin and Aerosmith, their 2019 six-song mini-album will rock your plimsoul.

39. The Stereophonics – Bust This Town

A bit maligned in their own U.K. The Stereophonics have been doing their thing for over 20 years now. The second single to be released from their 2019 Kind L.P., celebrates escapism in all its forms.

38. Garret T. Capps – All Right, All Night

Garret T. Capps is one of those stylistic and artistically hip Americana influenced artists along the lines of Tennessee Jet, Sturgill Simpson and Robert Ellis. “All Right, All Night” is only one of several terrific songs on his 2019 release of the same name.

37. Sir Woman – Highroad

Sir Woman is the newest project for Kelsey Wilson, co-founder of Wild Child. On “Sir Woman” she uses her singing and arranging skills on this string and horns laden stunner. With a snappy beat and a ’60s vibe, this one has a “feel good” feeling that demands to be on your year-end playlist.

36. Lucille Furs – Paint Euphrosyne Blue

Lucille Furs and their 2019 record, Another Land, have, and it’s not even close, released the Psychedelic album of the year. Full of Beatles, Monkees, and even 13th Floor elevators Austin Powers groovability, “Paint Euphrosyne Blue,” just one of stellar songs, could have been on a Monkees record back in the day.

 

 

 

 

 

The Top Songs of 2019 (45-41)

There have been a lot of really great songs released in 2019. This year, we will be revealing our top 100 songs five tunes at a time all the way to number one. Here are our picks for 45-41.

45. Joanne Shaw Taylor – Reckless Heart

“Reckless Heart” the title track from her latest release is a clear step up in weight class for a Blues Rock Singer that combines the vocal prowess of Bonnie Raitt and the guitar chops of Susan Tedeschi.

44. Peter Bjorn and John – Reason To Be Reasonable

From the boys that brought you “Young Folks,” one of the top earworms of the last 20 years, they once again burrow their way into your ears with the anti-breakup song of the year. It is refreshing to hear a message that promotes trying to work things out instead of fleeing the scene when the first bit of adversity comes your way.

43. Brent Cowles – High To Low

L.A. Songwriter Brent Cowles decided full-force to write a song that wasn’t sad or negative. For this one, he decided he wanted to pen a tune that would make people dance and smile. With “High and Low” he has succeeded on all fronts in advance of a new record due early in 2020.

42. Trash Cat – Straw Girl

Trash Cat is one of those quirky bands that you will find very hard not to like once you give them a chance. The group features Mary Claxton playing the electric ukelele, Brian, her beardy jazz instructor husband, and, for good measure, you have a mohawked sax player. Hailing from Greely, Co,, this band of gypsies does not take themselves over-seriously but make no mistake, this is one talented trio as demonstrated on “Straw Girl” the lead-off single from their 2019 record, Welcome To Trash City.

41. Rufus Wainwright – Trouble In Paradise

If you are not on the Rufus Wainright bandwagon, jump on in. The water’s fine. As the son of musicians Louden Wainright III (The dead skunk in the road guy) and Kate McGarrigle, his own music is as eclectic as you can get including 7 albums and a note for note record rendition of Judy at Carnegie Hall. Here, Rufus demonstrates his Pop-Centric chops on “Trouble in Paradise” from his new record set to be released very soon.

 

 

Live Video of the Day: Dead Writers – She’s All Animals

Based in London, this band was formed by Dynamic front man Paul Shine in 2017. With a sound that hovers somewhere between The Cult and INXS, the band is in slow release mode with this, their third release in the last several months. Look for a proper record in 2020.

Best Albums of 2019: The Reconstructed – Great North Wind

 

Whoever said that the only good music comes out of Austin, the left coast, or New York, has obviously never heard of The Reconstructed, the best thing to come out of Southern Maine since the lobster. Their latest record, Great North Wind, is a melodic stunner of an album with delicious hooks, sweet vocals, and enough of a Power Pop sensibility to make Alex Chilton jealous.

The opener, “Cross Talk” is what the stork would have delivered if the parents were the Bands Crazy Horse and The Bodeans, and the title track shares some DNA with Jason Isbell and the 400 unit. “Wrapped” sounds like it could have been a R.E.M. B-side, “50 Minute Records” features next-level songwriting, and “Talking With Your Ghost” rhythmically carries a bit of a John Mellencamp torch. In “Something Came Over Me” your mind’s ear will be able to detect a bit of pre-Phil Genesis on a song that vitally demonstrates the intricate songcraft and Prince level musicianship delivered on this album.

In short, while bits, pieces, and resemblances of other great bands might be salted here and there on this record, don’t be mistaken, this album and this band is a wholly unique unicorn that should be reaching more ears.

The Top Songs of 2019 (50-46)

There have been a lot of really great songs released in 2019. This year, we will be revealing our top 100 songs five tunes at a time all the way to number one. Here are our picks for 50-46.

50. JJ Wilde – Home

With a whole lot of Nashville Swagger, JJ Wildes’s star is definitely on the rise. With “Home” her follow-up to her E.P. released earlier in the year, she establishes her independence and her inherent badassery. It’s all about finding freedom through good old-fashioned Rock and Roll.

49. Sunflower Bean – Come For Me

Not resting on any laurels after the really excellent Human Ceremony last year, Sunflower Bean released a four-song E.P., King of the Dudes, early this year. “Come For Me” is a female empowerment anthem with women calling the shots with their own sexuality. “Come for me, we don’t have all night.”

48. Karl Blau – Twilight

Karl Blau has not had a proper record out in a while, his last was Out Her Space in 2017, but if “Twilight” is a precursor to new music from this retro-tinged Americana artist, count us in. There is a bit of Harry Nilsson dusting on this one.

47. The Reconstructed – Home Fires

From Southern Maine, The Reconstructed are one of those bands that are very well known on the local scene, but not so much on the national stage. Their latest record Great North Wind does not have a bad song on it. “Home Fires” has a bit of a Stonesy groove to it and is a perfect initiation to a band that should really be reaching more ears.

46. Fat White Family – Feet

Getting their collective act together as a band is proving to be quite a good thing as far as their artistic development goes. Their new record, Serf’s Up!, is a stunner coming from these guys and their past distorted Punk Rock sound, and the single “Feet” shows a sense of purpose that has been lacking in the past.