It’s another beautiful weekend in Missoula, and we’ve been enjoying the River City Roots Festival. Yesterday we had the pleasure of hearing amazing reggae from Taj Weekes and Adowa, rocking country from Ryan Shupe and the Rubber Band, and traditional bluegrass from John Jorgenson Bluegrass Band. Watch for our review of the festival, but first, here are four more great artists to check out.
Artist Name: The Sherlocks
Album Name: Live for the Moment
Label: Infectious Records/BMG
Genre: Indie Rock
Track Listing: 1. Will you be There?; 2. Live for the Moment; 3. Escapade; 4. Chasing Shadows; 5. Blue; 6. Nobody Knows; 7. Was it Really Worthy It?; 8. Turn the Clock; 9. Last Night; 10. Heart of Gold; 11. Motions; 12. Candlelight
Publicist: The End Records PR
Review: British band The Sherlocks have released their debut album, and it is a rocking masterpiece. With swirling guitar riffs, a steady beat and incredible vocals, these guys have come to rock. From the first note of the first track, they bring their brand of indie rock to bear, and show that they mean business. The music gets better with every track, resulting in an album that will definitely keep their listeners tuned in and engaged. Their music would make a fine addition to the airplay lists of American radio, and gives a glimpse of the awesomeness that is sure to come on their upcoming UK tour. Hopefully they will cross the pond soon, because America needs this level of music. Best tracks include “Will you be There?,” the title track, “Chasing Shadows,” “Blue,” and “Nobody Knows,” although the entire album is worthy of repeated listens.
Recommendation: Check out the latest amazing British band, and be the first to Get it in America. You’ll be glad you did.
Artist Name: Channel 3 (“CH3”)
Album Name: Put ‘Em Up
Label: TKO Records
Genre: Punk
Track Listing: 1. Model Citizen; 2. Water & Time; 3. Put ’em Up; 4. She Never Wanted it This Way; 5. Half the Day; 6. Not That it Matters; 7. The God That you Deserve; 8. Blue Skies; 9. All the Night; 10. Take me to Your Leader
Publicist: Earshot Media
Review: The latest album from veteran Los Angeles punk band CH3 is a concept album focusing on post-election America, and is heralded as a career-defining album. This band has something to say about the state of Trump America, and uses the angst of punk music to tell their story. The band will be coming off their It’s Not Dead Festival appearance to release this album before heading out on a national tour this fall. Their message is timely, and told in a manner that should help them spread that message. The album is reminiscent of The Ramones and the Dropkick Murphys but presented in a manner that will entice most music lovers to check them out. This album needs to be experienced from start to finish, and then reheard again and again. Some of the strongest tracks include “Model Citizen,” the title track, “She Never Wanted it This Way,” “Half the Day,” and the rousing final track, “Take me to Your Leader.”
Recommendation: This album has the goods, both lyrically and musically, and simply must be added to your musical library. Get it now!
Artist Name: Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver
Album Name: Life is a Story
Label: Crossroads/Mountain Home Records
Genre: Bluegrass
Track Listing: 1. Kids These Days; 2. Little Girl; 3. Life of a Hard Workin’ Man; 4. Life to my Days; 5. I see a Heartbreak Comin’; 6. Guitar Case; 7. What am I Looking For; 8. Bluegrass Blues; 9. Derailed; 10. Love Lives Again; 11. Cry Across Kansas; 12. Drivin’ it Home
Publicist: So Much Moore Media
Review: With a sound reminiscent of Alabama meets Nickel Creek, Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver take us on a musical journey through life. The songs are well crafted, with lyrics that tell a story, and the perfect blend of banjo, fiddle, mandolin and vocals that immediately get the listener’s attention, appealing to both the musically and lyrically inclined audience. From the upbeat opening track, “Kids These Days,” through the end of the album, every song delivers a part of the story of life. Their cover of John Michael Montgomery’s “Little Girl” is phenomenal, capturing all the beauty of the original with that perfect blend of fiddle, mandolin and banjo. In fact every song is worthy of your attention, putting this album firmly into consideration for best Bluegrass album of 2017.
Recommendation: One of the best bluegrass albums we have reviewed this year, and will appeal to most music lovers. We strongly recommend you Get this album – your collection is lacking without it.
Artist Name: Jack Tempchin
Album Name: Peaceful Easy Feeling (The Songs of Jack Tempchin)
Label: Blue Élan Records
Genre: Pop/Rock
Track Listing: 1. Peaceful Easy Feeling; 2. Part of me, Part of You; 3. Slow Dancing (ft. Rita Coolidge); 4. The one you Love; 5. Soul Searchin’ (ft. Janiva Magness); 6. Already Gone (ft. Chris Hillman and Herb Pedersen); 7. Privacy; 8. Everybody’s Gonna Love Someone Tonight; 9. Party Town; 10. It’s Your World Now (ft. Chris Hillman and Herb Pedersen); 11. Somebody; 12. I Found Somebody (ft. Janiva Magness); 13. I did it for Your Love; 14. You Belong to the City
Publicist: GBL Media Management
Review: Who doesn’t love the Eagles? Jack Tempchin is the songwriter behind some of their greatest songs, and he shares his version of several of those hits on his latest release. From the dreamy classics “Peaceful Easy Feeling” and “Already Gone” to the Glenn Frey hits “You Belong to the City,” “The One You Love, and “Soul Searchin’,” Tempchin shows why those songs have become so timeless and well-loved. He also includes the rocking and previously unreleased song,” Privacy,” the last song he wrote with Glenn Frey before he passed. This is an album chock-full of some of the greatest ballads every written, and even includes a beautiful duet with Rita Coolidge on Johnny Rivers’ hit “Slow Dancing.” Other artists that share songs with Tempchin on this masterpiece include Grammy-nominated blues artist Janiva Magness, The Byrds’ Chris Hillman and Herb Pedersen. We also love the bluegrass sound that Pedersen adds to “Already Gone.”
Recommendation: If you buy only one album this year, then this is the album to buy. It is an instant classic and you need to Get it now!