The rock is certainly rolling this week as summer is a mere fortnight away. Beth Hart is giving us a preview of her upcoming record with “Little Heartbreak Girl.”
Painted Fiction has released “Nameless Horse” not to be confused with “A Horse With No Name.”
And, if that is not enough, Rock is the New Roll favorites The Sheepdogs are out with a new French-speaking single. In any language these are one of the best retro-rock bands in the game.
But don’t put the phone down just yet. Here are five new platters released this week that are very worthy of your ear time.
Sarah Shook and the Disarmers – Revelations
Despite the name change to River Shook (The band name stays the same) with her latest record, Revelations, Shook continues her badassery and maintains her title as the queen of the underbelly.
The title track is an ode to depression with the lyric “Hey baby I’m barely getting through each day” as a case in point, River seems particularly cranky as she declares “Mind your own damn business and keep your opinions to yourself” on “You Don’t Get To Tell Me,” and is downright pissed when it comes to “Motherfucker” and the declarative statement “You’re going to get what’s coming to you.”
Clearly, River Shook and the band has a lot to get off of their collective chests.
Mission accomplished.
Thee Sinseers – Sinseerly Yours
With a sound that combines ’60s Soul, think Leon Bridges meets Charles Bradley, and Chicano Soul in the Malo mold, the bands debut record is a soul-stunner.
The ballad “Hold On”’ could have been a Sam Cooke classic, “Talking Back” is an instrumental groover reminiscent of James Brown’s “Night Train,” and “As I Can Give” takes things low and slow on a song that could have been on any Temptations record.
One only needs to listen to the Motown Meets Latin Soul blending on “Can’t Do That To Her” to come away smitten with this record which is a shape-shifting wonder.
Scott H. Biram – The One & Only Scott H. Biram
With a DNA lineage that goes all the way back to Dale Watson, Waylon and Willie and the rest of the 70’s outlaws, with his latest almost self-titled record, Scott H. Biram has stepped up his songwriting almost to the John Prine and Shel Silverstein level.
The smoke of Willie Nelson is all over “Inside A Bar,” and “Easy Rider,” the sole cover song in the set, is pulled off with its own panache.
This one will definitely take you back to the barrooms again.
Alejandro Escovedo – Echo Dancing
For a man that follows his own musical muse to include rock, punk, Americana, and singer songwriter fare, with his new record, Echo Dancing, Alejandro Escovedo takes a stab at giving his own songbook a punk infused touch up.
Combining the more well-known tracks, “Sacramento & Polk” and “Swallows of San Juan” with the real deep cuts, “Inside This Dance” and “Wave,” the result has a cohesive feel to it with a familiarity that we have grown to love since the early days before Escovedo decamped from Austin and set up shop in Dallas.
Dent May – What’s For Breakfast
With a pleasant A.M. Radio esthetic that has a Captain and Tennille by way of Cheap Trick feel if produced by Jeff Lynne, stopping just short of yacht rock, Dent May is establishing himself as a power pop star in the making with his latest release, What’s For Breakfast.
A perfect listen for a lazy afternoon with “Coasting On Fumes” holding water for Fleetwood Mac, and “Cactus Flower” playing forward early pre Pet Sounds Beach Boys.
Take this one to the beach with you.
Another week for the Icons. Paul Weller, Tony Bennett, Willie Nelson, and Richard Thompson all have records coming out this week.
Rock Is The New Roll 