Tag: Thorbjorn Risage & The Black Tornado

What We’re Listening To: January 2020

 

Just one month into the new year and there is already a lot of really good music arriving on our shores along with some intriguing song nuggets in advance of the proper records to be released later in the year. Here is just a small sample of what has been on heavy rotation in the office halls of Rock is the New Roll.

Peter Bjorn & Bjorn – Drama King

From the ear-worm kings that brought you “Young Folks” their latest record in advance of a new long-player to be released later in the year has a groovy bassline and an infectiously hypnotic groove that is a perfect jam for those hazy nights. Look for the new record, Endless Dream, to be released on March 13th.

Shopping – For Your Pleasure

Yet another album we are looking forward to absorbing in all its glory, the band Shopping will be releasing into the wild a new record, All Or Nothing, on February 7th. This Post Punk band sort of reminds us of what The Bangles would have sounded like back in the day without the major label filter that would not allow them to let their freak flag fly.

Roger Harvey – Burn One With John Prine

In late 2019 Roger Harvey started releasing a couple of singles in advance of his record to be released later this year. Technically a cover song, it was written by Kacey Musgraves, in Harvey’s capable hands you really believe him when he says that his idea of heaven is to burn one with John Prine.

The Just Joans – Hey Ho, Let’s Not Go

From their newly released record, The Private Memoirs and Confessions of the Just Joans, this one has already cemented a place for itself on our top songs of the year list. If you knew nothing about this Glasgow sextet and this is your virgin exposure to this song, the first thing that will come to mind is that you are listening to a Phil Spector girl group anthem. Then, the male member of vocal siblings David and Kate Pope kicks in and all sensibilities are dashed. Once Kate joins the party as the Ying to David’s Yang the song starts to become really special. And, of course, extra credit is given for the homage to The Ramones.

Thorbjorn Risager – Come On In

Full disclosure here, we here at Rock is The New Roll had never heard of Thorbjorn Risager or his band The Black Tornado before hearing this song and started to check out his latest album, Come On In. Perhaps, we are not as up on our Danish Rock and Roll as we should be. This guy, this band, and this album are all absolutely awesome.

Part Delta Blues, Part Stooges era Iggy Pop, there is a slight Robert Palmer vibe thrown in there for good measure. Perhaps a solid comparison here could also be a more blues-based Wilko Johnson and Dr. Feelgood. Either way, the better news is that these guys have been around for almost a couple of decades now and there are plenty of YouTube and Internet rabbit holes to go down in search of more information about this exciting new find.

Anna Calvi – Don’t Beat The Girl Out of My Boy (feat. Courtney Barnett)

In March, Anna Calvi will be releasing Hunted, a stripped-down version of her 2018 release Hunter. For this reimaging, these new versions will feature several musical guests including Julia Holter, Charlotte Gainsbourg, and Courtney Barnett.

Tops – I Feel Alive

Sort of a new age Indie-Pop Mama’s and the Papas, this song was written for those that want to leave their healthy January behind and get back to their old vices.

 

 

 

 

Five Cool Ones: Five New Albums Released Today (January 31, 2020)

The year is really cranking up on the music front. Drive-By Truckers are weighing in with an important record, Kesha is back and bolder than ever, and there is even a new Def Leppard single out in the universe. Here are five choice morsels that we think deserve some of your ear time.

Drive-By Truckers- The Unraveling

One of those very rare bands that loses a key member, in this case, Jason Isbell, and continues to be a tour-de-force of a band while the departing member is equally great. With The Unravelling, sort of a sister record to 2016’s American Band, the truckers continue to put their beliefs up front and center and continue to be one of the more relevant bands on the planet. Patterson Hood and Jay Gonzalez don’t spare the ink on what might be one of the more important records in this early decade.

Thorbjorn Risage & The Black Tornado – Come On In

This outfit is 12 records in and, if you are like us, you have likely not heard of these guys until very recently. But, as Joe Cocker would say, “It’s high time we met.” With a unique brand of Blues that includes two guitars, bass, drums, a pair of saxophones, trumpets, and keyboards, the gravel voice of lead singer Thorbjorn is equal parts, J.J. Cale, Ray Charles, Billy Gibbons, and Leon Redbone.

This is an extremely eclectic listen. This Danish band mixes it up on the jaunty “Come On In,” our early candidate for song of the year along with the J.J. Cale by way of Nic Cave somewhat dark “Two Lovers.” This record kicks it with noir-ish jazz, swampy rock, sultry R&B, uptown funk, and house-rocking blues. We are three listens in with this thing and continue to be stunned.

Tre Burt – Caught It From The Rye

Only the second artist to be signed by John Prine’s Oh Boy record label if that tells you anything. Tre Burt’s distinct Lo-Fi aesthetic definitely has a Bob Dylan vibe to it that is a far stretch from this Sacramento natives days busking on the streets of San Francisco. Careful listens will yield glimpses of Van Morrison’s songcraft combined with a poets language all his own.

Smoke Fairies – Darkness Brings The Wonders Home

Deliciously dark in places with graceful harmonies in others, there is a Patti Smith by way of Annie Lennox atmosphere swirling around this entire record. By the time the closing Track “Super Tremelo” rolls around you are ready to get back to the guitar swirl by hitting the replay button.

Blackie & The Radio Kings – King of This Town

One of Canada’s leading Roots Rock Bands, sort of a north of the border version of the Bottle Rockets, this time around the band plays it pretty straight with a solid set of songs that will bring to mind, Tom Petty and John Mellencamp. “North Star” Could have been an early Tom Waits track. After several listens, we also can’t help shake the deep essence of The Bodeans.