Five Cool Ones: Five (More) Cool Rock Bands On Our Radar

Block Buster – Gone By Morning

These Nordic newbies are literally in their teens but carry a swagger far beyond their years.

L’Epee – Dreams

Brian Jonestown Massacre’s Antone Newcombe’s side-piece band with their new record, Diabolique, featuring the cinematic punch of chanteuse Emmanuele Seigner, lay down some 60’s noir vibes in the mid-era Velvet Underground mold.

Tiger Army – The Devil That You Don’t Know

Don’t invest a lot of listening time digging deeper into these guys and their catalog. We did, so you don’t have to. But, don’t let that stop you from cranking this particular Stray Cats on steroids tune up to 11.

Piston – Dynamite

With lyrics like “Come on, come on, feels so right, come on, come on, tonight’s the night” as the opening line on their latest record, this Def Leppard meets AC/DC barn burner doesn’t split any atoms, but it sure is fun.

Whiskey Myers – Die Rocking

It seems that after Whiskey Myers moved on from using guru Brent Cobb as their producer, on their latest self-titled album they have taken on the knob twirling themselves and their Lynyrd Skynyrd flag is flying higher than ever.

What We’re Listening To (September 21, 2019)

Marc Broussard – Whipping Post

This one is from the compilation, Big Band of Brothers: A Jazz Celebration of The Allman Brothers.


Liam Gallagher – Champagne Supernova

We don’t have a dog in the Liam Vs. Noel Gallagher fight, but we really like “Champagne Supernova.” Here, he performs the song in the BBC studios in promotion for his newly released record.

Red Rum Club – Kids Addicted

Their 2019 album, Matador, is already a terrific record from this high energy sextet from Liverpool. And, now, a cherry on the sundae is given us with this, their latest single.

Mystery Jets – Screwdriver

There is a lot of anticipation in the halls of Rock is the New Roll H.Q. for the new Mystery Jets album. Here is the first single to be released.

Five Cool Ones: Five More Albums Released Today (September 20, 2019)

Bruce Cockburn – Crowing Ignites

Bruce Cockburn is considered to be a National treasure, as well he should be. While this set of beautiful instrumentals won’t serve to bring him any new fans, this should serve as a calming Sunday Morning record.

Charlie Crockett – The Valley

In his distinct Western drawl Charlie Crockett channels his inner Texan with a Western Swing influenced two-stepper of an album.

Hiss Golden Messenger – Terms of Surrender

M.C. Taylor doing business as Hiss Golden Messenger has created another stunner of an album. Sparse yet tender rules the day here with more than a little social consciousness bubbling up to the surface.

Babe Rainbow – Today

Another album with strong Laurel Canyon vibes. “Morning Song” would have been a hit duet for Herbie Mann and Donovan in 1965.

Andrew Combs – Ideal Man

There is a touch of late era Beatles vibe to this latest album from Andrew Combs. “Firestarter” is a mellow wanderer with a startling sub-text, and “Born Without A Clue” is the story of a man looking in from the outside.

Five Cool Ones: Five New Albums Released This Week (September 20, 2019)

Brittany Howard – Jaime

The Alabama Shakes front-woman steps out with her powerful solo record. Combining Rock and Soul along with contemporary beats, her debut record goes low Nina Simone Slow one minute, James Brown Funk the next with a lot of Janelle Monáe flair thrown in for good measure. Named after her sister who passed away from retinal cancer when Brittany was 9, this album is a stunner.

Samantha Fish – Kill or Be Kind

Six albums in, and her first on Rounder Records, Samantha Fish is still somewhat of an unknown quantity. Whether she is laying down a greasy blues riff or belting out a Soul screamer, Samantha is a Swiss Army knife of talent. And, and if there is a musical God, her new record should land her on the music radar right alongside Beth Hart and Bonnie Raitt.

Zac Brown Band – The Owl

For some, The Zac Brown band jumped the Jimmy Buffet, Kenny Chesney shark some time ago. For others, what the heck. They are a good-time band with a fan friendly vibe that only serves to increase their popularity. Let the good times roll with more of the same from The Zac Brown Band.

Beth Hart – War in My Mind

Beth Hart has never been one to bury her darkest secrets, and on her latest record she continues to peel away the layers of her soul. This is one of those rare artists that you feel you really know and appreciate simply by listening to her songbook.

Robbie Robertson – Sinematic

For his first new record in 8 years, Robbie Robertson draws inspiration from his friend, Martin Scorsese, performs a duet with Van Morrison, and memorializes the old-time radio serial, The Shadow. The former leader of The Band even waxes nostalgic for his former band mates on “Once Were Brothers.”