Rarely has there been a cooler week of music than our ears were hipped to last week, but don’t worry, this Nantucket sleigh ride seems to be in full bloom once again.
The Violet Mindfield has an organ freakbeat nuggets feel about the band.
The Blusterfields have a popiness about them that belies their Kiss sensibilities.
Jason Boland and the Stragglers – The Last Kings of Babylon
Blending Country, Rock, Pop, and sometimes even Punk muses Jason Boland and his red dirt henchmen seem to be going back to their roots with original producer Lloyd Maines at the helm of their latest record, The Last Kings Of Babylon.
Showing off all aspects of this eclectic band, “Next To Hank Williams” could have been on a mid-era Johnny Cash record, “Drive” is just what you thing it might be, a get out of Dodge travelogue sort of song, and “High Time” could have been on any Little Feat album.
Should you be anywhere near a Texas or Oklahoma honky tonk where Jason Boland is playing do your ears a solid and slide on in.
Ricky Warwick – Blood Ties
Already keeping the spirit of Thin Lizzy and Phil Lynott alive with his band The Black Star Riders as well as his solo work and other projects, Ricky Warwick carries the torch even higher with his latest record, Blood Ties.
This one is a corker, “Rise and Grind” with Blackberry Smoke,’s Charlie Starr is a straight-up rocker, “ The Crickets Stayed In Clovis” is “Boys Are Back in Town” special, and “The Hell Of Me And You” packs a proper MC-5 wallop. A proper rock and roll record that once again proves that rock is not dead.
Tobacco City – Horses
With echoes of Gram, Emmylou, and The Flying Burrito Brothers, the psychedelic country of Tobacco City has a certain timeless quality that is both inspiring and soul-affirming.
The opener “Autumn” has a certain John Mellencamp other side of the street and very Delines-like in its dramatic storytelling, and the frolicking “Buffalo” sounds lie an REM goes country barn raiser.
Look for these guys coming to a honky tonk near you.
Charley Crockett – Lonesome Drifter
This just, in Charlie Crockett, with a voice that makes Johnny Cash sound like a soprano, is rapidly rising to the top of the Mount Rushmore among the current crop of country crooners.
Recorded in just 10 days at the legendary Sunset Sounds Studio in LA with knob twirling assistance from Shooter Jennings, the record has a certain live feel to it with many songs recorded in one take.
With touch-points-a-plenty the musical influences make themselves known with Waylon Jennings, Bill Withers, and Woody Guthrie all making themselves known.
Lonesome Drifter might not be his best record, Welcome To Hard Times would likely take that honor among aficionados, it will lkely garner high honors when the end-of-the-year polls are gathered.
Silver Synthetics – Rosalie
Floating in a nexus of euphoric cosmic cowboy haze, Silver Synthetics stand on the shoulders of Rose City Band, Beachwood Sparks, and Poco. Every song on this charcuterie plate of a record that sounds like Neil Young fronting Big Star.
“Rosalie” will have you searching for a campfire and a bottle of whiskey, the opener “Age Of Infamy” is hot tub time machine worthy ‘70s smooth country rock at its finest, and “Right Time” carries the freshness of The Sheepdogs and the slick pop of early-era Eagles.
There is nothing not to like about this record.
Rock Is The New Roll 