Daniel Romano and The Outfit: Preservers of the Pearl

Falling out of a van in the 1970s is Daniel Romano and his Outfit. Their latest is called Preservers of the Pearl and it's resplendent with that classic rock sound. The riffs...my GOD...the riffs..

Check it out!

The Black Crowes: A Pound of Feathers

Holy mother fucking shit are The Black Crowes back. Their latest record, A Pound of Feathers, took my head clean off and I had to re-attach it at my local Black Crowes fan club building. The power, thunder and fury are all still there!

Opening track (please protect head from removal)...

Styx: Circling From Above (Album of the Week)

I can't believe I'm typing this but Styx has a new record out. And it's fantastic. Circling From Above harkens back to the early art rock years, opening with this beautiful title track...

Next we have this exploratory endeavor...

Later we have this classic Styx pop song...

It warms my heart greatly to see this band still going strong!

Bruce Springsteen: Tracks II: The Lost Albums (Album of the Week)

I was 13 years old and my dad was picking me up for boy scouts in the dead of winter. My parents had just gotten divorced but my dad was really trying to stay involved in my life. He had this old car, it wasn't a Pinto, but it was something shitty like that. His car's heater didn't really work very well but he at least had an AM radio so we could listen to WLS from Chicago. At the time, that station was the only real gateway I had to music and, over the last year or so, the world of tunes had opened up quite massively for me because of it.  

That day, as I was shivering over to the other side of town for the troop meeting, the song "Hungry Heart" by Bruce Springsteen came on. It had been a massive hit for the last few months and everyone just loved it. I turned to my dad and smiled at how amazing the song was...the story...the sound...the heartache. He smiled back because he just knew too. He loved the Boss as well and now Springsteen was a superstar. 

As he has done many times in the thirty five years since this day, The Boss has, once again, shovel to the head stunned me. He has delved deeply into the vault and produced seven massively awesome records that are guaranteed to knock your socks right on your ass.

Tracks II begins with material from 1983-1984, between Nebraska and Born In The USA. The first track sets the tone...

Later on Disc 3 (Faithless, a "spiritual Western" film never made), we are transported to a different time and place...

Disc 7 is a collection of songs recorded from 1994-2011. Each one is an instant Boss classic. Example...

Folks, all seven discs are pure Americana gold. The Boss is fine example of how our elders are truly sacred.

The Doobie Brothers: Walk This Road

I'm very happy to see that The Doobie Brothers are still going strong with another fine effort called Walk This Road. Let's please walk with them...

One of my faves...

Pat Methany: The Lore

Pat Methany has a new record out called The Lore and it is quite wonderful in its laid back jazz. It's a compilation album of deep cuts and some fine old tunes. Many chestnuts to choose from. Check it out!

Neil Young: Talkin to the Trees

It's always a treat and a joy when Neil releases a new record with brand new songs. Talkin To The Trees is a deeply introspective affair, all of us seeing where this man is at in his life. Age 79...wow...and still touring!

One of my faves...classic Neil!

Robin Trower: Come and Find Me

So so great to see Robin Trower continuing to crank out records. His latest is called Come And Find Me and the blues is strong with this one. And the jams are kicking...

Opening track....

Jethro Tull: Curious Ruminant

Holy Crap, Ian! Your guys new album is VINTAGE JETHRO TULL. Curious Ruminant has all the classic noises of this much venerated band. It's great to see this outfit still going strong in its now seventh decade!

Opening track...

The Dirty Knobs: Vagabonds, Virgins & Misfits

Mike Campbell has kept himself quite busy these days. The supremely talented guitarist has his own band called The Dirty Knobs and they have their third record out. Vagabonds, Virgins, & Misfits is easily their best yet. The opening track reminds me...well, of Tom...

Mary Timony: Untame The Tiger

Good rock music is hard to find. Thankfully we have Mary Timony's latest record called Untame The Tiger. It's the DC native/s fourth long player and I think it's clearly her best. Long live rock!

Opening track...

Great Van Fleet: Starcatcher

The monster that is Great Van Fleet is back with another great record of classic rock in the vein of Led Zeppelin, Rush, and Yes. Starcatcher could have very easily come out in the year 1978. The Frankenmuth, Michigan outfit continues to carry a torch that needs to be eternal. And infinite.

Here is the opening track...