No need to wrestle with the mental imagery here.
“We got ice, check. We got coolers, check. “We got cases of cold domestic gold just waiting for the sun to set.”
“We got tunes, check. We got girls, check. So come on, have another, we got Sunday to recover and we ain’t started yet.”
Your jam of the summer has just been released.
The year seems to be pretty much hitting its stride with some major developments on the digital scene. The mighty Slade is now available on all of the digital and streaming platforms. More Glam all of the time is a very good thing. As far as the rock and mortar releases, it has been a crackin’ week as well. Bruce Hornsby is back, this time without his noisemakers, Norah Jones announces her welcome return and retro blue-eyed Blues belter Eli “Paper Boy Reed” makes his triumphant return. And Yes folks, there’s more.
Big Search – Slow Fascination
If you are a fan of the Laurel Canyon Beach Boys West Coast vibe then the new record, Slow Fascination, is definitely your jam. Big search is the solo moniker for Matthew Popieluch who when he is not sitting in as a sideman for bands like Papercuts and Fools Gold is creating lush Indie Pop orchestrations. Pianos and acoustic guitars blend delightfully with blended harmonies and intricate arrangements.
Shovels and Rope – By Blood
The opening salvo on this set, “I’m Coming Out,” sets the sonic stage for this one. With a sound palette that is much more out front than their past more introspective affairs. By Blood rocks a bit more than 2017’s Busted Jukebox, Vol. 1, but no worries, the skin-tight harmonies are still front and center and the energy is satisfying.
Aaron Lewis – State I’m
Somewhat stepping through the Waylon Jennings-Noir door opened by Chris Stapelton, Cody Jinks, Jamey Johnson, and Whitey Morgan Aaron Jennings borrows heavily from Waylon and the “Possum” George Jones on this set of Honky Tonk style tunes.
John Paul White – The Hurting Kind
Three years removed from his first post Civil Wars album, Beulah, a somewhat dark affair, John Paul White is back with an eclectic blend of Americana and Country that should go far in moving his star forward. With a voice that travels between Roy Orbison and Ray Price, this record has a classic sound with a modern feel.
Band of Skulls – Love Is All You Love
This British three-piece Rock band mixes electronic and live instruments on their fifth album. Propulsive and full of energy, “That’s My Trouble” is sexy, Cool Your Battles would be a great selection for your 2019 driving tune playlist, and “We’re Alive” has a bit of an 80’s Brit Rock tinge to it. Emma Richardson is the real star here, but the entire band shows a diversity that can be rare in the Rock and Roll world.
Bishop Gunn takes as their influences The Allman Brothers, Rival Sons, The Black Crowes, and a slew of other Blues Rockers that you love. Pay attention, these guys are going to be big in 2019.
These youngsters from Leeds are starting to get some buzz in both sides of the pond thanks to a string of singles that features their harmony-laden sound. Their live shows are starting to become the stuff of legends.
Tom Morello Joins Luke Spiller and the boys for a fiery rendition of the Bruce Springsteen classic.
This L.A. band delivers delivers guitar-centric sunshine Indie Pop with an energetic zeal an tight harmonies.
It is pretty much a reboot week with Brooks and Dunn along with Mike + The Mechanics delivering some of their reimagined hits, and Country Queen Reba McEntire makes a glorious nuanced return. It’s a busy music week, so let’s get cracking.
Lee Fields – It Rains Love
Lee Fields delivers another master class of grit and Soul on this collection. More Wilson Picket or Bobby Blue Bland On this one than James Brown there is not one miss step or note that is not delivered directly from the gut.
Molly Tuttle – When You’re Ready
Comparisons to Alison Krause aside, Molly Tuttle is stepping out from her family band The Tuttles and is emerging as a star in her own right. Americana-Country kissed Pop of the highest order, Jason Isbell adds harmonies to “Million Miles,” a song originally started by Jewel and finished by Tuttle, and “Made My Mind Up” will bring to mind Kacy Musgraves.
Martha – Love Keeps Kicking
With more hooks than an episode of Greatest Catch, the band Martha explodes with intricate, melodic Indie Rock. Evoking the best of the 90’s bands, the songs on this set are all high energy guitar driven monsters.
Big Eyes – Streets of the Lost
Another on of those “Rock Is Not Dead” torch bearers that is not Greta Van Fleet. With the twin guitar attack of Kait Eldridge and Paul Ridenour you will be bathed in a the same vibe you w0uld have experienced if Joan Jett had fronted Thin Lizzy back in the day.
Sarah Bareilles – Amidst the Chaos
The T Bone Burnett production gives Sarah Bareilees’ new record a more subdued and subtle texture that we may be used to from her, but there is a certain beauty in the sparseness that helps to bring out the full measure of this strong set of songs.
Rock is the New Roll is officially on The Underground Saints band wagon. Their business model is a unique one, releasing a song a month in advance of a proper record to be released in 2019. Their vibe is Classic Rock with tinges of Black Crowes and 80’s Glam all rolled into one. They are on the short list of the best find of 2019. Thanks to Dean Delray and his Let There Be Talk Podcast for getting us hip to the Underground Saints scene!
He looks like a member of 70’s era Doobie Brothers and plays heart felt Americana in the Justin Townes Earle mold. His new record Waves is real good stuff.
With enthusiastic fervor we wait for the first Joyous Wolf record to be released. Not quite The Struts, but this this band with the front man that is a cross between David Lee Roth and James Brown has favorite new band potential written all over it.
Rock Is The New Roll 