We made it to New Music Friday again, and we have five brand new ones to review and share, including the latest from a former Mousketeer. It’s been a rough week on the home-front, with an simple puncture wound turning into an infection, but we think this music is just the medicine to make things better. Let us know what you think.
Artist Name: Tony Lucca
Album Name: Ain’t no Storm
Label: Off the Road Adventures / Rock Ridge Music
Genre: Indie Pop/Rock
Track Listing: 1. Everything’s Changing; 2. Come Around; 3. One Less You; 4. Frame by Frame; 5. Restless Heart; 6. Empty Headed Blues; 7. Room with a View; 8. Other Side of the Clouds; 9. Frame by Frame (radio edit)
Publicist: Skye Media
Review: Tony Lucca is known for lots of things, including being a Mousketeer along side of Christina Aguilera, being a member of Team Adam on Season 2 of NBC’s The Voice, and being the artist who gave his slot with NSYNC to fellow Mousketeer Justin Timberlake. But with the arrival of his latest album, it is truly evident that Lucca has definitely “arrived” as a hot songwriter and future Grammy winner. From the upbeat opening track, “Everthing’s Changing” to the radio edit of his first single, “Frame by Frame,” Lucca hits us right between the ears with emotional lyrics and vocal delivery and incredible musicianship. This is without a doubt his best album ever, and should finally elevate him to the level that he deserves – super stardom. We have already featured “Restless Heart” and “Everything’s Changing” in our Monday Mashup, and think this album is jam packed with songs worthy of being released as singles.
Recommendation: Drop whatever you’re doing – Go Get this one today!
Artist Name: Chris Jones & the Night Drivers
Album Name: The Choosing Road
Label: Mountain Home Music
Genre: Bluegrass
Track Listing: 1. Your Remarkable Return; 2. Letters to Brendan; 3. Looking for the Bridge; 4. I Can’t Change the Rhyme; 5. Back in the High Life Again; 6. Nyhan’s Regret; 7. I’ll Watch her Soul; 8. Bend in the Road; 9. I Shouldn’t Even be Here; 10. Who you Want me to Be; 11. Own the Blues; 12. Glimpse of the Kingdom
Publicist: Crossroads Label Group
Review: Sit down Rhonda Vincent and Alison Krauss – there’s another band in bluegrass that is ready to ascend the throne. The new album from Chris Jones & the Night Drivers has everything you want on a bluegrass album – great story lyrics, a strong voice with perfect harmonies, and great performances on mandolin, banjo, fiddle and bass, with amazing guitar thrown in for good measure. Composed of Chris Jones on guitar and lead vocals, Gina Clowes on banjo and backing vocals, Mark Stoffel on mandolin and fiddle and Jon Wiesberger on bass, this band should be the standard for all budding bluegrass players. We love every song, especially “Your Remarkable Return,” their amazing cover of Steve Winwood‘s classic “Back in the High Life Again,” the sterling instrumental “Nyhan’s Regret,” the soulful “Who you Want me to Be,” and the gospel-tinged “Glimpse of the Kingdom.”
Recommendation: Run out and Get this one!
Artist Name: Lindy Vopnfjörd
Album Name: You Will Know When It’s Right
Label: Self-released
Genre: Indie Rock
Track Listing: 1. Love me Like That; 2. Standing on the Sea; 3. Give Some Love; 4. Our Greatest Irony; 5. How did we get Away; 6. Everlasting Odyssey; 7. I’m so Hi; 8. Love Sister (live in Reykjavik with Nydonsk)
Publicist: The Syndicate
Review: Talk about dejá vu! As soon as the album started with the first track, “Love me Like That,” it felt like classical rock artists like Tom Petty and Bob Dylan were speaking through the voice of the lead vocalist. The songs are well written and hit the ground running. They are perfect for radio and inspiration, beginning with the first track and continuing on. “Standing on the Sea” almost feels like Brit Pop. Each song brings back a piece of musical history and puts this artist squarely on a track to the top of the charts.
Recommendation: Definitely Get this one!
Artist Name: Mekons
Album Name: Deserted
Label: Bloodshot Records
Genre: Indie Rock/Punk
Track Listing: 1. Lawrence of California; 2. Harar 1883; 3. Into the Sun; 4. How Many Stars; 5. In the Desert; 6. Mirage; 7. Weimar Vending Maching; 8. Andromeda; 9. After the Rain
Publicist: Bloodshot Records
Review: Mekons come to us from the UK, combining elements of punk, psychedelica and indie rock to their sound, hitting us over the head with a tidal wave of sound that quickly envelops the listener. This is rock as it was intended and perfect for those time when you want to drown out the world and totally immerse yourself in the music. If you want some sentimental folk, they have that on “How Many Stars,” so don’t think they can only rock. We also love the sweeping strings and “cool” feel of “Andromeda.”
Recommendation: Get it.
Artist Name: MINKA
Album Name: Mysteries of the Heart
Label: Self-released
Genre: R&B
Track Listing: 1. Mysteries of the Heart; 2. Something Special; 3. Rollerblades; 4. Parties; 5. You Knew I was a Freak
Publicist: The Syndicate
Review: We introduced you to MINKA in April 2017 when they released their live album. We again reviewed them in mid-February for the first of their EP trilogy, and are back again with the second in that trilogy. While they maintain their overall R&B groove, this set if more upbeat and perfect for the soundtrack of your next party, especially if you like the sound of Prince. The title track is a sure-fire hit, as is “Rollerblades.” You can’t go wrong with this one.
Recommendation: Definitely add this one to your party playlist!