Tag: Drugdealer

Five Cool Ones: Five New Albums Released This Week (October 28, 2022)

Setting ourselves up for disappointment with Bruce Springsteen’s upcoming November release, it seems that things on the new release front are a bit tepid at the moment. But fear not, we here at Rock is the New Roll to do the work so you don’t have to.

Still yearning for the new First Aid Kit Record, a new single and video has been released for “A Feeling That Never Came.”

Nashville’s resident Psych Rockers All Them Witches weigh in with their latest, “Holding Your Breath Across The River.”

And, R.L. Burnside speaks the truth.

But, that’s not all. Here are five more blasts of goodness to wash your ears with from this weeks new releases.

Drugdealer – Hiding in Plain Sight

Yacht Rock is back, and it’s like it never left. With equal parts Hall and Oates, Little River Band, and, for those in the know, Pablo Cruise, Hiding In Plain Site, the latest from Drugdealer, is a time-warp affair that will take you back to the days before kids, jobs, and responsibilities pretty much killed the vibe.

“Baby,” is a Beach Boys inspired floater with a guest turn from Tim Presley that has a distinct aroma of “Pleasant Valley Sunday” in its DNA, and “Someone To Love” could have been a deep cut on Boz Scaggs’ Silk Degrees.

“Pictures of You” warrants a more contemporary comparison vibing Bethany Constantino and her band Best Coast, while the instrumental “To Live and Drive in L.A.” could have been a b side for Simply Red’s “Money’s Too Tight Too Mention.” And, should you think these guys are all yacht and no Rock, “Hard Dreaming Man” carry’s a Mick swagger from the days that Keith was hanging out with Gram Parsons.

This one is a pleasant all around listen that will cleanse your mind and soothe your soul.

Jonathan Tyler – Underground Forever

Considering that 6 singles have already been leaked out to streaming sites, it seems like Underground Forever, the Latest release from Jonathan Tyler was a long time coming, and, in fact the album was mostly completed in early 2020, the very beginning of the pandemic. “Movin’ On” foresees the hopeful end of the disease and “Old Times” bookends things with the line “one day we’ll remember these times.”

Performed against a backdrop of smooth Americana and every-man songwriting, Laurel Canyon Vibes, the song “Hustlin’”is perfect road trip material displaying Tyler’s guitar dexterity, and the psychedelic undertones of “Movin’ On” with it’s early Steve Miller dusting provides nuance to the proceedings.

The title track, “Underground “Forever” is a jaunty picnic in the park affair, and “Magic Sam’s Boogie,” a tribute to the late blues singer, is as badass as it sounds it might be.

Truly a DYI artist, Jonathan Tyler is someone that should be on your musical radar.

Joanne Taylor Shaw – Nobody’s Fool

Seemingly, since moving to Nashville living in the shadow of the Ryman, Joe Bonamassa has been everywhere. And, here, the current hottest guitar slinger in the world lends his talents behind the board producing the new record, Nobody’s Fool, for Joanne Taylor Shaw.

Earning a write, or co-write here on 10 of the 11 songs presented here, Shaw lays down a pallet of hook-laden Rock, Soul, Blues, and R&B. The title cut shares plenty of DNA with “Werewolves of London” with a side order of “My Sweet Lord,” and “Bad Blood” is highly pleasurable surf guitar Tarrantino-noir.

Once the gritty “Just No Getting Over You (Dream Cruise),” a song that embodies her Detroit upbringing, kicks in, the blues travelogue comes full circle.

“Then there’s you is a Koko Taylor worthy stomper, and the sole cover song here, “Missionary Man” with Eurythmic Dave Stewart on a stellar version of the classic rock staple.

Impeccably produced and expertly played, this one has real Blues Album of the Year potential.

Lee Fields – Sentimental Fool

Along with Leon Bridges and the late Charles Bradley, Lee Fields is bringing real soul to the millennium masses.

“Two Jobs” brings to mind Bobby Blue Bland, and “Ain’t No Love In The Heart of the City,” and the opener “Forever” is pure Al Green gloriousness. And, the title track, “Sentimental Fool” is pure Lonnie Smith worthy bliss.

Teaming up with Daptone records, the delicate horns peppered throughout and the old school ‘60s production values makes this one a new school treat with an old school heart.

Brant Bjork – Bouganvillea Suite

Digging deep into 60’s era Psychedelic Rock think Iron Butterfly by way of The Doors on Brant Bjork’s latest, Bougainvillia Suite.

“Let’s Forget” is desert rock atmospheric, and yes there are bongos, the version presented here of “Who Do You Love” is next-level cool, and “Ya-Dig” would be the perfect soundtrack to listen to while during through the desert on a horse with no name.

With “Good Bones” genre shifting at the blink of a Hammond B-3 between Funk and Psychedelic Stoner Rock, and the spacious opener “Trip In The Wine,” a song that hovers and floats as if Jim Morrison was fronting Cream, the entire record is a transportive Desert Rock wonder that will take you to another time, another place, at the blink of a 60’s head trip.

Rock is the New Roll: The Top Ten Albums of 2019

Here it is, the long-awaited list of the best albums of 2019. It has been a really great year for music. We heard from a couple of deceased legends in Harry Nilsson and Leonard Cohen, were treated with new records from Texas Honky Tonk legends Jack Ingram, Corb Lund, and Dale Watson, and bright lights shone for the first time with a bevy of new artists to discover including the one name wonders Lizzo and Yola.

Rock is not dead with White Reaper, Drugdealer and Black Country Communion all inviting us to a party like it’s 1979. And of course, the singer-songwriter is back. The Boss, Bruce Springsteen, is back and better than ever and Rock is the New Roll favorite Tom Russell gave us a history lesson in 11 songs with October in the Railroad Earth.

This year we will be releasing our top 100 list 10 tasty gems at a time, so sit back, grab your favorite beverage, and enjoy the ear-pleasing top 100 records of the year.

10. Yola – Walk Through The Fire

You won’t need to wander much past the first song on this record, “Faraway Look”, for this one to grab you. With pipes that would make Dusty Springfield blush along with the production fairy dust from Dan Auerbach and his Easy Eye team, this is one could have been released in 1968.

09. Bruce Springsteen – Western Stars

Quite possibly the best record The Boss has delivered in the past 15 years, this expansive record covers all of the Springsteen touchstones. Fine song-craft, common man storytelling, and superb musicianship all come together for one of the more compelling releases of the year.

08. Mercury Rev – Bobbie Gentry’s The Delta Sweete revisited.

This is one of those rare entities where the tribute album is better than the original. This thing is ridiculously cool. With a different female singer for each song, Mercury Rev puts their own swirling psychedelic spin on the original Country-Folk classics. “Big Boss Man” featuring Hope Sandoval is an eclectic stunner, on “Reunion” you just might find out what was thrown off of the Tallahatchie bridge, and Susanne Sudfor’s spin on “Tobacco Road” will tingle your spine. With only one song that was not on the original recording, Lucinda Williams does what Lucinda does on “Ode to Billy Joe” to polish off a sublime set of masterful songs.

07. Trigger Hippy – Full Circle

On their second incarnation of the band, Amber Woodhouse replaces Joan Osborne when a female lead singer is needed as the band lays down the best Country Soul this side of Delaney and Bonnie. This one is decidedly Laurel Canyon retro in all the best of ways.

06. The Delines – The Imperial

With every song being virtually a Raymond Carver short story, Willy Vlautin and company have come up with another masterpiece. “Eddy and Polly” is the “Jack and Diane” for the new millennium, If Jack was an abusive husband with an alcohol problem, and Diane was a cheating wife that is, and in “Holly the Hustle” as the song unfolds From drinking wine coolers at age 13, there is only one way things will end for Holly. Not well.

05. The Cactus Blossoms – Easy Way

The Cactus Blossoms make absolutely no effort to disguise the fact that they love The Everly Brothers. If you are looking to be transported back to a time when the Beatles didn’t exist, Then, this is your jam. Lead-off track “Desperado” really shows off the brotherly harmonies, and “Downtown” could have been a hit for Roy Orbison.

04. Drugdealer – Raw Honey

With a lot of very stiff completion, Raw Honey, the latest album from Drugdealer just might be the Laurel Canyon record of the Year. Fully capturing the singer-songwriter cult of the ’70s, on songs like “Honey” featuring Natalie Mering aka Weyes Blood that could be a Harry Nilsson song, and “Fools”, is a tune that could be mistaken for a Steely Dan B-Side, the only thing missing is a Boz Skaggs Lido Shuffle.

03. J.S. Ondara – Tales of America

Coming in at number three and generally regarded as one of the best debut records of the year, J.S. Ondara, hailing from Nigeria and currently living in Minnesota, almost literally chases his Bob Dylan Muse on this set of songs that should very soon elevate the young songwriter to Leon Bridges status.

02. Jenny Lewis – On The Line

Working with a bundle of top-rated players including Benmont Tench, Beck, Don Was, Ringo Starr, and Jim Keltner. There is an 80’s AOR vibe throughout the record that gives it a nostalgic touch that will spin your head back in time. Lewis is in fine vocal form, and like its predecessor, Voyager, really benefits from the Ryan Adams production touch.

01. Tom Russell – October In The Railroad Earth

Another stellar master’s level course in Americana songwriting. “T-Bone Steak and Spanish Wine” is a standout as is “Highway 46”  a song where none other than the late and not so great Spade Cooley is name-checked. Where were you on the day Merle Haggard died?

The Top Songs of 2019 (30-26)

There have been a lot of really great songs released in 2019. This year, we will be revealing our top 100 songs five tunes at a time all the way to number one. Here are our picks for 30-26

30. The Highwomen – The Chain

This Fleetwood Mac classic comes alive again in the hands of the Highwomen, 2019 Supergroup of the year. This cover song is from the Melissa McCarthy movie, The Kitchen.

29. Lucy Dachus – Fools Gold

He’ll blame the alcohol and you’ll blame the full moon pretty well expresses this lovely ode to The New Year.

28. Laura Stevenson – Living Room, NY

Laura Stevenson was in Australia when she wrote this song to a flame she was missing. You can feel the longing in every breath she takes here, and you will find yourself longing for the sequel to this stunner of a song.

27. Drugdealer – Honey

From Raw Honey, Drugdealer’s highly excellent 2019 release. This one sounds like it could have been on side 2 of George Harrison’s All Things Must Pass.

26. Purple Mountains – That’s Just The Way I Feel

This is hands down the saddest song of the year given that Dave Berman took his own life shortly after recording his Purple Mountains album. There is a Harry Nilsson vibe to this one, but don’t let the bouncy tenor fool you. There is an underlying sense of despair running through the core of this poignant swan song.

 

 

 

Video of the Day: Drugdealer – Fools

The latest single from Raw Honey, the bands latest and very much greatest record. Clearly, these guys have been going through their parents record collection. Not only is there a heavy Laurel Canyon vibe being Laid down here, but there is a Steely Dan by way of America tune-du-jour all over this song and the entire record.