Five Cool Ones: Five New Records Released This Week (August 30,2024)

The heat is on as the summer gives us one last heat wave, and the new releases are falling right in line.

Monster rockers and recent RISTNR favorites D-A-D crank up their riff machine with their latest single, “Keep That Mother Down.”

The head of the snake David Coverdale has been releasing the venom with singles from his upcoming remastered Solo-era albums.

And, the Saskatoon rockers Sheepdogs dig the retro 70’s madness with “Take Me For A Ride.”

But wait, back by popular demand may we present five banger records for your ear-bath.

Tuk Smith and the Restless Hearts – Rogue To Redemption

Through his innovative single-release strategy we have been treated to several of these gems over the last few months, and finally, Tuk Tuk Smith has released the Kraken and delivered what should be, ears-down, the best rock and roll record of the year.

The opener, “Take The Long Way” has all the panache of a Cheap Trick Heaven Tonight era classic, and Glorybound would have been a perfect ‘70s rocker in the Greg Kihn by way of Rick Springfield mold.

With more hooks than an episode of Dangerous Catch, Tuk Smith has burst into the spotlight with enough swagger to be considered as the replacement for Stephen Tyler in Aerosmith.

Steve Wynn – Make It Right

From his early days with the Dream Syndicate, Steve Wynn has established himself as a scion of the scene as well as a songwriter of the highest order.

On his new record, Make It Right, Wynn with his first solo record in 10 years, is joined by members of R.E.M., Bangles, Psychic Temple, and The Baseball Project, on a song set that was written in conjunction with his recently released memoir, I Wouldn’t Say It If It Wasn’t True.”

The record, starting with the opener “Santa Monica” takes the listener on a journey of a live well lived and a man coming of age growing up in the L.A. Punk scene.

The Boxmasters – Love And Hate In Desperate Places

If your only exposure to Billy Bob Thornton has been in the form of Slingblade, Bad Santa, or the series Goliath, you are in for a treat. Well before he hit the big screen Thorton was a serious musicician and has been playing with his band The Boxmasters for decades.

Built on a bed of blues-based Honky Tonk Americana, there is a whisper of British Invasion and mid-era Byrds by way of Tom Petty taking flight in their music. Billy Bob’s vocals are not particularly strong, but he stays in his lane with descriptive songwriting and the cracker-jack band leading the way.

Los Bitchos Talkie Talkie

Mostly instrumental, Talkie Talkie, the latest swinging record from Los Bitchos, the London-based that has a sparking electricity about them will be you next party record.

Part Tiki, part surf music, and all fun. Swirl to the vibe of “Tango and Twirl,” fly to the Orient on Air “Talkie, Talkie, Charlie Charlie,” and head to the border while listening to “La Bomba.”

This is escapism in all its glory.

Shemekia Copeland – Blame It In Eve

Starting her career at the age of 18 backing up Koko Taylor, Shemekia Copeland is the heir to the “My Guy Done Me Wrong” love ballad. And now, she is out with another socio-political belter with her latest, “Blame It On Eve.”

On the opener, “Blame It On Eve,” Copland laments women losing the right to choose, and on “Broken High Heels” she takes on the state of the country with a venom that only she can produce.

But don’t panic, Shemekia gets down and silky with “Wine O’Clock, her ode to unplugging from life’s worries, and down on dirty covering Johnny Copeland’s “Down On Bended Knee”

This one might be the blues album of the year.

What We’re Listening To (August 26, 2024)

The Sheepdogs – Take Me For A Ride

Coming off their somewhat ear-scratching foray into yacht rock with the last single, “Darlin’ Baby,” the boys from Saskatoon are back with the drop of a surprise E.P. A sunny ‘70s glam stomp of a single.

The Hot Damn! – Can you Hear Me Now?

How much more disco-era can you get with the mantra “come on, come on the disco’s calling” ringing in your ears? This single from their up and comer, Dancing On The Milky Way, due in September, is a straight up balls to the wall ‘80s Power Pop stunner.

Lions In The Street – Moving Along

This one is so Stones adjacent it might as well come with its own supermodel and heroin addiction. Back after life’s circumstances threw them several curve balls, Lions In The Street landed their time machine to fire up our speakers and light up our world.

The New Roses – When You Fall In Love

If Bryan Adams was the frontman for Def Leppard you would be getting the essence of German rockers The New Roses. This ‘80s anthemic rocker is a throwback to those days when rock and roll was pure.

Amyl & The Sniffers – Chewing Gum

Another banger of a band from the thriving Aussie music scene. This one head-bangs along led by lead singer Amy Taylor, with a swagger about her that would make Exene Cervenka jealous.

What We’re Listening To (August 19, 2024)

Chuck Prophet – Wake The Dead

Wake The Dead, Chuck Prophets first album in four years, and also the first since he has been cleared of stage four lymphonia, is set to see the light of ear in late October.

Katy J. Pearson – Those Goodbyes

Her latest record, Someday Now, is a brilliant record with shades of First Aid Kit by way of Fleetwood Mac emanating throughout. There is a certain pop-panache on the break-out single, “Those Goodbyes.”

Emiliana Torrini – Let’s Keep Dancing

On the shortlist for Icelandic Artist of the Year, her latest record, Miss Flower, includes a sultry “Let’s Keep Dancing” and a romantic electro-pop ballad with “Lady K.” The album is loosely based on the life of Geraldine Flower, a friend’s mother who has been said to have been a free spirit who had 9 marriage proposals and was never married, even leaving one suitor at the altar.

Fontaines DC – Favourite

With their soon-to-be-released fourth album, Romance, Fontaines DC is advancing their game into next-level territory. Immaculately produced and sonically pristine, give this one a listen before searching out the full record that is a likely album of the year candidate.

Brown Horse – Sunfisher

Brown Horse is likely one of the best new Americana bands on the landscape today, and more than likely you have never heard of these guys that have drawn comparisons to Lone Justice, Uncle Tupelo, and Lucinda Williams. Think a slightly less off-the-rails Whiskeytown and you will feel the vibe.