Rock Is The New Roll

This week is getting a bit crazy. There is a new, never seen the light of day, Marvin Gaye record out. The fabulous Glam queen Suzie Quatro has a new record, and the jam bam O.A.R is representing. On top of all this, here are five records we really like.

Steve Earle – Guy

I guess when Steve Earle stood on Bob Dylan’s coffee table and proclaimed Townes Van Zant the best songwriter ever that Guy Clark must have been a close second. This collection of songs is nothing short of terrific. With his band playing just the right notes at just the right times, the song “Old Friends” with cameos from Terry Allen, Jerry Jeff Walker, Emmylou Harris, Rodney Crowell, and Jo Harvey Allen is worth the price of admission alone.

Mekons – Deserted

Their first proper set in 9 years and it is exactly what you would expect from Jon Langford and company. A solid set of songs that at sometimes will seem to go off the rails, and at other times will make you think. The songs are all smart, energetic with a bit of a political bent seeping in without coming across as too overbearing. After two spins, this one is moving into top 10 territory.

Marvin Gaye – You’re the Man

for some strange reason, this album never saw the light of day when it was originally recorded in 1972. Billed as the “Lost” album, this one was recorded between Marvin Gaye’s masterwork, “What’s Going On” and 1973’s “Let’s Get It On.” A mostly disjointed affair, which explains  why it never reached proper release standards, when you stack it against what we are exposed to on the present day music scene, it is a top of the pops effort.

George Strait – Honky Tonk Time Machine

This is a classic Country record in all the best of ways. Sure, it harkens back to the ’80s Hat-Country era of Garth Brooks and George Strait, but there is nothing wrong with that. There are high lights aplenty here including the title track, “Two More Wishes,” “Codigo,” and the escape to the beach  tune “Blue Water.”

Edwyn Collins – Badbea

Most of us are not hip to the oeuvre of Edwin Collins, but we should be. He could probably could be described in the same vein of Marshall Crenshaw and John Hiatt on the underrated scale, but after spending some time with this record you will be ready to explore his back catalog. It goes much deeper than “A Girl Like You.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dirty Honey – Fire Away

There is a whiff of Rival Sons to these guys but Stone Temple Pilots might be a better jumping off point. Either way these guys from L.A. are poised to take their game to the next level.

Palace – Binary Music

This one floats and soars like we haven’t heard since Be Bop Deluxe was spinning their magic,

Daxx and Roxanne – Ticket To Rock

These guys can flat out rock and they won’t apologize for it. Tooth and Nail testosterone Rock and we are all that much better for it. Pretty good for four Swedish dudes now living in London.

Bad Marriage – Old School Stereo

Pure Sunset Strip vintage Rock and Roll. These guys are so legit they are opening for Tesla.

Dead Daisies – We’re An American Band

These guys absolutely slay the Grand Funk classic.