Tag: Rodney Crowell

Five Cool Ones: Five New Albums Released This Week (July 23, 2021)

With the euphoric sense that the lockdown releases are behind us, artists are beginning to focus on more positive themes, less political nonsense, and seem to be getting back to the basics of rock and roll. And quite frankly, we are all the better for it.

The Black Keys are digging even deeper down that well of blues with this iconic song from their Delta Kream record.

Dan Israel puts everything in perspective with this easy flowing, perfect for driving down to the sea tune, “The Hang of It.”

And Eric Bazilian, the frontman for the Hooters, takes us back to the glorious ’80s with his latest single, “Back In The ’80s.”

If all of that is not enough, here are five more nuggets that are entering our ear-waves this week.

The Peppermint Kicks – The Peppermint Kicks

A Power Pop supergroup with members of The Stompers, The Amplifier Heads, and the Shang Hi Los all representing, Peppermint Kicks lays down a hipster blend of Pop-Punk, Rock, and infectious Power Pop. “When Rock & Roll Met Your Dad” is essentially a love letter to the healing powers of rock & roll, while “Hey Fanzine!” pays homage to those great music magazines from days of yore, Creem, Rolling Stone (when they were a music magazine), Circus, and more. The spirit of Cheap Trick and The Ramones are all over this record, most notably on “Shag ’72” and the ode to pointless rock and roll “I Don’t Hear a Single.”

Coolness resides around every corner on this record that even laments the demise of the hallowed long-lost rock venues with “Johnny D’s (Play It Again)” and the lack of bands that don’t play loud anymore on the semi-loud “Stooge.”

For those of a certain age, this love letter to a time and space before corporate rock will put you in that long-lost ear space that you forgot you missed.

Rodney Crowell – Triagethis time around he

The national Texas treasure that is Rodney Crowell is back with his 18th album. A bit more introspective now, this time around he leaves the negativity to others in favor of songs of sin, mortality, and redemption. The title track compares love to forgiveness, “Something Has To Change” calls out those that darken the world, and “This Body Isn’t All There Is To Me” pretty much says it all.

Though the mood is a bit more somber from what we are used to from Rodney, after all, we are in a pandemic, let’s hold out hope that better times are right around the corner. And, what better tour guide than Rodney Crowell.

Glen Campbell – Live From The Troubadour

Given the state of his health at the time of this recording in 2008 when he opens this show from the famed Troubadour concert venue in L.A. saying it is good to be back at the Hungry I, it takes a beat to realize that he is joking. Here, on one of his last tours, Glen Campbell covers all of his musical muses. His more recent tunes, including “Grow Old With Me” and “All I Want Is You” are intermingled with Jimmy Web Classics “Galveston,” “By The Time I Get To Phoenix” along with the Cambell must-play Classics “Rhinestone Cowboy” and “Gentle On My Mind.”

There are flashes of brilliance on display throughout the set, most notably during “Phoenix” when Cambell calls out “I wanna play one” as he drifts off into a Les Paul worthy guitar interlude. But, for the most part, the set is a poignant reminder of an artist that we have forgotten that we loved giving us one last Hurrah.

Jackson Browne – Downhill From Everywhere

Like an old relative that comes back to visit between military assignments regaling with tales of travel in far-off lands, Jackson Browne is back on our shores with another set of masterclass storytelling. And, he doesn’t seem to have changed one bit.

“My Cleveland Heart” could be the centerpiece in a movie score in the vein of “Somebody’s Baby,” The title track has a timeless feel to it and could have been on the Lawyers in Love record, and “A Human Touch” would have been perfect The Pretender fodder.

Part nostalgic head-trip and part treatise on the state of the world, this one has something for everyone.

Velvet Insane – Rock ‘n’ Roll Glitter Suit

There is truth in advertising seeping through every poor of the sophomore record from these purveyors of Glam Rock. Starting with the insanely catchy “Backstreet Liberace” the stage is set for bringing up the ghosts of Slade, The Sweet, T Rex along with the rest of the Glam gang from the ’70s.

Right up there with Luke Spiller and The Struts this gang of Swedes drives it like they own it on the Slade worthy “Driving Down the Mountain” even display their tender side on the ballad “Midnight Sunshine Serenade”

Unless Luke and the boys come up with something out of this world later in the year, the best Rock album of 2022 has officially surfaced.

Rock is the New Roll: The Top 100 Albums of 2019 (21-10)

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.

21. The Limboos – Baia

The Limboos are pretty much the very definition of a genre-defying band. A bit soul, retro in all the coolest of ways fusing together Soul, Rumba, Jazz, Blues, Funk, and a bunch of others we are probably skipping. On songs like “Till The End Of Town,” you would bet your last dollar this was a Stax single from the ’60s. When the sax kicks in on “Where Did She Go,” the first single from the album, there is a sense that you should be in some sort of Jetsons hipster go-go bar. The vocals are front and center and the production value is first-rate with no single instrument overpowering another. And yes, they have a female drummer, as if they needed anything else to add to their coolness.

20. Brittany Howard – Jaime

Alabama Shakes front-woman steps out with her powerful solo record. Combining Rock and Soul along with contemporary beats, her debut record goes low Nina Simone Slow one minute, James Brown Funk the next with a lot of Janelle Monáe flair thrown in for good measure. Named after her sister who passed away from retinal cancer when Brittany was 9, this album is a stunner.

19. Ryan Bingham – American Love Song

With a sound that could be coming from a backwoods juke joint in the middle of Texas, Ryan Bingham along with guitar player Charlie Sexton lay down 15 tracks of Americana and Blues Boogie that will melt your frets. The album has a lived-in feel that is perfect for multiple listens.

18. Hollis Brown – Ozone Park

Named after the character in a Bob Dylan Song, this Queens, N.Y. these guys are more U2 mixed with Tom Petty and a dash of Black Crowes than Dylan. An album that is a bit more Rock than Roll, this is an extremely accessible record that will be on your regular listening rotation very soon. There is not a bad song in this basket.

17. Tanya Tucker – While I’m Living

This record was a pleasant surprise on a couple of fronts. First, the fact that we were treated with any new music at all was a revelation since we have not heard much from Tanya since her 2009 covers album, My Turn. The second semi-surprise is that While I’m Living is so darn great. Teaming up on this one with Shooter Jennings providing knob-twirling production duties, and Brandi Carlile outright writing or co-writing on the songs, a partnership made in Americana heaven was formed. Recalling Tucker’s classic albums from the ’70s and ’80s, songs like “The Wheels of Laredo,” a song that would have been superb as a duet with Mary Robbins, and “Bring My Flowers Now” show-off a scarred voice that has not lost any of its vocal power.

16. The New Roses – Nothing But Wild

This one might be the Rock and Roll record of the year. And, if this were thirty years ago most of the songs on this scorcher of a record would be in the top 10 with a bullet. “The Bullet” would have made a perfect Night Ranger ballad, “Can’t Stop Rock and Roll” sounds a bit like Bon Jovi on steroids. The choruses are huge, the hooks are everywhere and with songs that extoll the virtues of a six-pack and a radio down by the river, you won’t even need throwback Thursday to bring back the good old days.

15. Rodney Crowell – Texas

Ronnie Dunn, Willie Nelson, Billy Gibbens, Lyle Lovett and more celebrate all things Texas from the border to the oil patches, the strip bars honky-tonks. From the Piney Woods to the Rio Grande this record is almost as big as the state.

14. Nick Cave And The Bad Seeds – Ghosteen

Nick Cave pretty much writes every record that he delivers using what life is like for him at the time for inspiration. On this one that he started writing six months after his prior release, Skeleton Tree, he is starting to come out on the back end after the tragic death of his teenage son. Much like most of Nick Cave’s work, this record is not overly embraceable at first listen. But, once you sell yourself to the devil and immerse yourself in the beatific wonderment of this one as his heart is ripped from its cavity and presented to you, a believer you will become.

13. Lana Del Rey – Norman Fucking Rockwell!

Blending classic American Pop with contemporary touches, Lizzy Grant, aka Lana Del Rey has created one for the ages. Mostly low key, the songs carry a bit of a 70’s FM feel in particular on “The Greatest” where the vibe is Carole King by way of Karla Bonoff. Lot’s of Ladies of the Canyon imagery on this one especially on “Bartender.” The huge Pop hooks are pretty much gone on this album in favor of more lush and expansive soundscapes. “Venice Beach” is simply a stunner.

12. Walker Lukens – Adult

With Adult, Walker Lukens has released his most fully-formed record to date. Produced by Spoon’s Jim Eno, the album has an underlying contemporary feel to it while still maintaining its singer-songwriter soul. Secret weapon and member of his band The Sidearms, Mckenzie Griffin, really shines on several tracks, most notably on “Frankie & Bella” and “Black Matter.” Vocally, Walker can go from a Harry Nilsson croon to honeyed voice Marvin Gaye at the turn of a tonsil, and he does so often here with the ease of a seasoned professional. The production value on Adult is first-rate and there is a lot of nuance and texture for your ears to enjoy as they travel from song to song. There is a lot discover with repeated listens of this record.

11. Michael Kiwanuka – Kiwanuka

This guy keeps getting better and better with each subsequent album. Here, on his latest album following up the highly excellent 2016 release, Love & Hate, Michael Kiwanuka lays down a pate of Afro-Rhythms, Soul, and Funk along win an Indie-Pop sensibility. This Danger Mouse co-produced gem should land towards the front of many year-end best-of lists. including ours.

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.

 

Rock is the New Roll: The Top 100 Albums of 2019 (30-21)

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.

21. The Limboos – Baia

The Limboos are pretty much the very definition of a genre-defying band. A bit soul, retro in all the coolest of ways fusing together Soul, Rumba, Jazz, Blues, Funk, and a bunch of others we are probably skipping. On songs like “Till The End Of Town,” you would bet your last dollar this was a Stax single from the ’60s. When the sax kicks in on “Where Did She Go,” the first single from the album, there is a sense that you should be in some sort of Jetsons hipster go-go bar. The vocals are front and center and the production value is first-rate with no single instrument overpowering another. And yes, they have a female drummer, as if they needed anything else to add to their coolness.

20. Brittany Howard – Jaime

Alabama Shakes front-woman steps out with her powerful solo record. Combining Rock and Soul along with contemporary beats, her debut record goes low Nina Simone Slow one minute, James Brown Funk the next with a lot of Janelle Monáe flair thrown in for good measure. Named after her sister who passed away from retinal cancer when Brittany was 9, this album is a stunner.

19. Ryan Bingham – American Love Song

With a sound that could be coming from a backwoods juke joint in the middle of Texas, Ryan Bingham along with guitar player Charlie Sexton lay down 15 tracks of Americana and Blues Boogie that will melt your frets. The album has a lived-in feel that is perfect for multiple listens.

18. Hollis Brown – Ozone Park

Named after the character in a Bob Dylan Song, this Queens, N.Y. these guys are more U2 mixed with Tom Petty and a dash of Black Crowes than Dylan. An album that is a bit more Rock than Roll, this is an extremely accessible record that will be on your regular listening rotation very soon. There is not a bad song in this basket.

17. Tanya Tucker – While I’m Living

This record was a pleasant surprise on a couple of fronts. First, the fact that we were treated with any new music at all was a revelation since we have not heard much from Tanya since her 2009 covers album, My Turn. The second semi-surprise is that While I’m Living is so darn great. Teaming up on this one with Shooter Jennings providing knob-twirling production duties, and Brandi Carlile outright writing or co-writing on the songs, a partnership made in Americana heaven was formed. Recalling Tucker’s classic albums from the ’70s and ’80s, songs like “The Wheels of Laredo,” a song that would have been superb as a duet with Mary Robbins, and “Bring My Flowers Now” show-off a scarred voice that has not lost any of its vocal power.

16. The New Roses – Nothing But Wild

This one might be the Rock and Roll record of the year. And, if this were thirty years ago most of the songs on this scorcher of a record would be in the top 10 with a bullet. “The Bullet” would have made a perfect Night Ranger ballad, “Can’t Stop Rock and Roll” sounds a bit like Bon Jovi on steroids. The choruses are huge, the hooks are everywhere and with songs that extoll the virtues of a six-pack and a radio down by the river, you won’t even need throwback Thursday to bring back the good old days.

15. Rodney Crowell – Texas

Ronnie Dunn, Willie Nelson, Billy Gibbens, Lyle Lovett and more celebrate all things Texas from the border to the oil patches, the strip bars honky-tonks. From the Piney Woods to the Rio Grande this record is almost as big as the state.

14. Nick Cave And The Bad Seeds – Ghosteen

Nick Cave pretty much writes every record that he delivers using what life is like for him at the time for inspiration. On this one that he started writing six months after his prior release, Skeleton Tree, he is starting to come out on the back end after the tragic death of his teenage son. Much like most of Nick Cave’s work, this record is not overly embraceable at first listen. But, once you sell yourself to the devil and immerse yourself in the beatific wonderment of this one as his heart is ripped from its cavity and presented to you, a believer you will become.

13. Lana Del Rey – Norman Fucking Rockwell!

Blending classic American Pop with contemporary touches, Lizzy Grant, aka Lana Del Rey has created one for the ages. Mostly low key, the songs carry a bit of a 70’s FM feel in particular on “The Greatest” where the vibe is Carole King by way of Karla Bonoff. Lot’s of Ladies of the Canyon imagery on this one especially on “Bartender.” The huge Pop hooks are pretty much gone on this album in favor of more lush and expansive soundscapes. “Venice Beach” is simply a stunner.

12. Walker Lukens – Adult

With Adult, Walker Lukens has released his most fully-formed record to date. Produced by Spoon’s Jim Eno, the album has an underlying contemporary feel to it while still maintaining its singer-songwriter soul. Secret weapon and member of his band The Sidearms, Mckenzie Griffin, really shines on several tracks, most notably on “Frankie & Bella” and “Black Matter.” Vocally, Walker can go from a Harry Nilsson croon to honeyed voice Marvin Gaye at the turn of a tonsil, and he does so often here with the ease of a seasoned professional. The production value on Adult is first-rate and there is a lot of nuance and texture for your ears to enjoy as they travel from song to song. There is a lot discover with repeated listens of this record.

11. Michael Kiwanuka – Kiwanuka

This guy keeps getting better and better with each subsequent album. Here, on his latest album following up the highly excellent 2016 release, Love & Hate, Michael Kiwanuka lays down a pate of Afro-Rhythms, Soul, and Funk along win an Indie-Pop sensibility. This Danger Mouse co-produced gem should land towards the front of many year-end best-of lists. including ours.

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.

 

The Top Songs of 2019 (20-16)

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 20-16

20. Weyes Blood – Everyday

Titanic Rising is one of the best records of 2019, and the single “Everyday” is sort of Bob Seger meets Enya.

19. Bill Callahan – What Comes After Certainty

If Neil Diamond and Leonard Cohen had a love child that was produced by Rick Rubin, this is the sort of beautiful noise that the offspring would share with the world. Willie’s guitar even makes an out of nowhere appearance on this one.

18. Rodney Crowell – Deep In The Heart of Uncertain Texas

We could have picked any number of tunes for this list from Rodney Crowell’s Texas L.P., but we are contractually obligated to mention Willie Nelson at least one time per post, and the more the better. Here, along with Ronnie Dunn, Willie is in perfect hippy form.

17. Elles Bailey – Road I Call Home

The heir apparent to Bonnie Rait who sounds like she could be the daughter of Melissa Etheridge with better chops, Elles Baily is really coming into her own with her new record, Road I Call Home. The title track shows an artist that, by all rights, should not be as good as she is.

16. Garret T. Capps – Sunday Sun

There is an old school outlaw troubadour ethos that generates through every pore of Garrett T. Capps that draws the line from Hank to Kris to Townes all the way to Garrett T. Capps without missing a beat.

 

Five Cool Ones: Five Cool Albums Released This Week (August 16, 2019)

Things are definitely heating up as we jet towards the end of the year. Rodney Crowell releases his Texas Album, Americana stalwart Drew Holcomb delivers a solid set and there a bunch more gems.

Rodney Crowell – Texas

Ronnie Dunn, Willie Nelson, Billy Gibbens, Lyle Lovett and more celebrate all things Texas from the border to the oil patches, the strip bars honky-tonks. From the Piney Woods to the Rio Grande this record is almost as big as the state.

Ikebe Shakedown – Kings Left Behind

This 7 piece instrumental band from Brooklyn fills the air with a steamy brew of Funk, Soul, and Spaghetti Western Retro Psychedelic flair. This one is the soundtrack for when you are getting ready to go out on a Saturday night.

Madison Cunningham – Who Are They Now

It seems appropriate that Madison Cunningham would eventually land on the Verve record label. Her nuanced and sophisticated guitar playing and vocal delivery will remind you of Joni Mitchell in her prime. The songwriting is pure Karla Bonoff.

Lillie Mae – Other Girls

Released on Jack Whites Third Man Records with Producer Dave Cobb at the helm Lillie Mae’s bluegrass leanings are as subtle as they could get without disappearing all together.

Bobby Rush – Sitting On Top Of The Blues

Veteran Bobby Rush might be the last real Blues man standing this side of Buddy Guy. Have guitar and harmonica, will travel. And brilliantly we might add.