Alicia Lee

Conversations With Myself

New Focus, 2022

8/10

Listen to Conversations With Myself

A recording that documents a year of artistic activity in isolation, Alicia Lee brings clarinet in B-flat and bass versions, as well as electronics, to this careful exploration of live performance meets pre-recorded sounds.

Dai Fujikura’s “Contour” starts the listen with soothing and flowing bass clarinet that emits much melody alongside the double tongued pitches, and “Dialogue de l’ ombre double”, by Pierre Boulez, follows with live clarinet that alternates from being close and distant. The setting grows quite swift, and the electronic shadow versus live instrument makes for fascinating gestures.

Isang Yun’s “Monolog” occupies the middle spot and embraces long notes and a charming delicateness that spends 10 minutes mesmerizing us with its precise dialogue, while “Advice From A Caterpillar, From Alice In Wonderland” is a more animated piece that presents sweeping arpeggios and strong attention to detail and mood in the Unsuk Chin piece.

Hideaki Aomori’s “Split” exits the listen, and pays special attention to harmonics, echoing and pitch, where mystery is cultivated through the fascinating playing from Lee.

A complex and powerful effort, Lee’s experience in chamber and orchestral settings makes for artistic and rich expressions across this very absorbing affair.

Travels well with: Eric Nathan- Missing Words; Stephanie Lamprea- Quaking Aspen

Rob Burger

Marching With Feathers

Western Vinyl, 2022

9/10

Listen to Marching With Feathers

Even if Rob Burger’s name is unfamiliar to you, you’ve probably already heard his work in films like Ocean’s 8, and records by names like Iron & Wine and John Zorn. Here, he’s aligned with Paul Niehaus, Stevie Nistor and Teddy Rankin-Parker for an exploratory affair that’s all at once intimate, powerful and unpredictable in an artistic sort of way.

Burger starts the listen with the sophisicated piano of the poetic and warm “Figurine”, and “Library Science” follows with much ambience, as hypnotic guitar and cinematic friendly percussion aligns to make for a mesmerizing track that’s got some psyche tendencies.

In the middle, “Still” emits a dreamy quality in its sublime minimalism that’s focused on the keys, while “Hotel For Saints” recruits plenty of ambience to the atypical, buzzing formula that’s part sci-fi, part soothing, nearly New Age sounds.

The title track arrives near the end and employs a drum machine for the glowing vulnerability, and “Night Feet” exits the listen with a bare pulse of calm keys and a chilling backdrop that adds a bit of mystery.

Burger handles piano, guitar, EBow lap steel, organ, dulcitone, harmonium, accordion and about 10 other instruments here, and the abundance of melody, grooves and artistic measures make for an atypical and enlightening experience that we could never tire of.

Travels well with: Lunar Noon- Symbolic Creature; Wing Vilma- Spirit Practice

Stanley Grill

Und das Lied bleibt schon

Gramola, 2022

8/10

Listen to Und das Lied bleibt schon

The revered composer Stanley Grill has quite an affinity for medieval and Renaissance sounds, and here, along with Lisa Rombach, Nicholas Spanos, and Pandolfis Consort, among others, he offers song cycles based on the poetry of R. M. Rilke, and Rose Ausländer, to name a couple.

“Rilke Songs” starts the listen off with graceful, absorbing strings that emit a glorious, passionate soprano voice amid the touching instrumentation, and “Les Fugitifs” continues the creativity with countertenor and viola da braccio meshing with much grace and warmth.

In the middle, “Lieder ohne Worte” brings a pair of violas, cello and theorbo to the dynamic string interaction that flows with much melody, while “Two Love Songs” is indeed a romantic offering of poetic beauty that benefits from soaring countertenor.

“Ein Schlaflied fur dich” exits the listen with a lullaby, where the soprano voice, viola and cello emit an intimate and eloquent display that’s executed precisely and affectionately.

Certainly a well thought out affair, Grill and company make the most of the interpretations with a firm classical slant that dances around orchestral and chamber nods in this highly meticulous and memorable listen.

Travels well with: Stanley Grill- Remember; The Crossing- Tower And The Garden

The Sully Band

Let’s Straighten It Out!

Belly Up/Blue Elan, 2022

8/10

Listen to Let’s Straighten It Out!

The debut album from The Sully Band, Let’s Straighten It Out puts Sully Sullivan’s voice front and center, as his 9 piece band takes help from guests on the blues, soul and R&B influenced listen.

“When The Battle Is Over” opens the record with Sullivan’s inviting and playful vocals alongside Jon Harford’s frisky guitar, Tres Hodgens’ animated drumming and soulful backing vocals from Rebecca Jade on the bright blues display, and “Hallelujah, I Love Her So” follows with plenty of warmth and melody that does justice to the Ray Charles original.

“Nothing From Nothing” arrives at the halfway point, and employs Grant Benziger on banjo as Mark Charles Hattersley handles organ with much skill, where plenty of cozy grooves are cultivated, while “If I Could Only Be Sure” showcases Sullivan’s expressive pipes amid the flowing rhythm section and frisky keys.

Approaching the end, “Let’s Straighten It Out” embraces well timed brass for the emotive album highlight as Sullivan gets a bit gritty, and “Higher And Higher” exits the listen with a gospel influence that’s powerful, timeless and quite stirring.

An album that was fleshed out in just 5 days, this is a mostly live affair, and the adventurous layering, heartfelt singing and festive demeanor makes for 10 exceptional tracks of sounds indebted to the ‘60s and ‘70s, but that sound quite refreshing in 2022.

Travels well with: Chickenbone Slim- Serve It To Me Hot; Hanna PK- Blues All Over My Shoes

North Mississippi Allstars

Set Sail

New West, 2022

8/10

Listen to Set Sail

Luther and Cody Dickinson- the core of North Mississippi Allstars- have been at it since 1996, and this 13th album enlists Jesse Williams on bass and Lamar Williams, Jr. on vocals for the first time, as their diverse brand of roots music flows with its always exciting, unpredictable nature.

“Set Sail Part I” opens the listen with plenty of groove and soul entering the cautious landscape of soft singing and rhythmic guitars, and “Bumpin’” follows with warm jam band ideas alongside the gospel flavor amid Sharisse Norman’s backing vocals.

Halfway through, “Didn’t We Have A Time” benefits much from Cody’s precise drumming and Jesse Williams’ bouncy bass, while “Never Want To Be Kissed” recruits William Bell and Phyllislorena Smiley on vocals, as well as elegant strings provide the backdrop for the groove filled climate.

“Juicy Juice” arrives near the end and flirts with funk as bass acrobatics populate the playful spirit of the album’s best track, and “Authentic” exits the listen with a southern folk angle that relies on many voices, cozy keys and thumping drums for the uplifting finish.

If you’re unfamiliar with NMA, there’s really no bad place to start in their catalog, though the addition of strings and brass here certainly makes this a particularly luminous body of work from the always impressive Dickinson brothers.

Travels well with: Boulevards- Electric Cowboy: Born In Carolina Mud; Riley Downing- Start It Over

Boulevards

Electric Cowboy: Born In Carolina Mud

Normaltown, 2022

8/10

Listen to Electric Cowboy: Born In Carolina Mud

The recording moniker of Jamil Rashad, as Boulevards he returns with a 4th album that’s eccentric in all the best ways and that takes help from members of Black Puma, Twin Peaks, Nikki Lane, and Macie Stewart, to name a few.

“Turn” starts the listen with soulful guitars, scrappy drumming and bright brass in the retro-rock spirit, and “Together” follows with some funk flavor and plenty of grooves entering the cautious yet playful delivery that makes a very unique impression.

In the middle, the stylish “Hooked” makes great use of frisky bass lines amid the dreamy backing vocals, while “Where Is Da Luv?” recruits thumping drums and strategic guitar work in the agile soul rocker. “Better Off Dead” then brings in Lane for the pretty yet buzzing album highlight of nostalgic rock ideas.

Inching towards the end, the dense “Modern Man” offers a thicker approach that flirts with psychedelia, and “Problems” exits the listen with warm textures in a neo-soul sort of way.

A very gritty outing that’s as diverse as the music coming from his home state of North Carolina, Boulevards pulls in influences as vast as James Brown, Bad Brains and Television, and it makes for an inimitable listen that gets better and better with each spin.

Travels well with: T. Hardy Morris- The Digital Age Of Rome; The Whitmore Sisters- Ghost Stories

Ken Dunn

Anthology, Volume 1

Self-Released, 2022

8/10

Listen to Anthology, Volume 1

The diverse artist Ken Dunn brings us a mixed bag of sorts here, where previously unreleased, rare, live recordings and selections from his albums from the past 25 years are all slapped together on one lengthy and heartfelt listen.

Dunn opens the listen with the soothing and lush “If You’re Lost”, where the strings and guitar interact with much bare beauty, and “Fukushima Nightmares” follows with organ from Drew McIvor and thicker guitar thanks to Dead Drouillard that make for a more firm display of crunchy rock.

Further along, “Forsaken By These Blues” recruits harmonica for the soulful and mesmerizing, bluesy climate, while “Heart Of Mine” lets the strings cultivate a very emotive landscape of sparseness amid the melancholy. “Arms Of Reason”, another very well thought out track, then brings impactful female vocals from Anna Green that harmonize with Dunn alongside the eloquent folk delivery.

Moving deeper, “Hard Yellow Light” pairs bright harmonica with meticulous acoustic guitar to highlight Dunn’s vivid storytelling in a country sort of way, and “Don’t Believe” exits the listen with a live tune that welcomes the late Steve Didemus on guitar, as well as the Denny Kennedy choir.

A veteran Canadian singer-songwriter and multi-instrumenalist, Dunn has enjoyed a lengthy career that’s focused on social and environmental justice, and for those of us unaware of his work, this collection is an excellent starting point.

Travels well with: Karen Morand & The Bosco Boys- Ghost Hotel; Jim Standard- Color Outside The Lines

Karen Morand & The Bosco Boys

Ghost Hotel

Self-Released, 2022

9/10

Listen to Ghost Hotel

The exceptional singer-songwriter Karen Morand is in fine company here, where her acoustic band, The Bosco Boys, help her explore themes of identity, longing and loneliness across a very diverse landscape of well thought out song craft.

The title track starts the listen with Aaron Verhulst’s warm pedal steel and Benny Santoro’s crisp drumming, as Morand’s smooth, glowing pipes guide the country rocker, and “Beautiful Scars” follows with a soulful approach where a poetic quality is embraced amid Moran’s strong, broad singing.

In the middle, “Never Enough” welcomes Brett Number on backing vocals, as a very emotive appeal enters the cautiousness that tips its hat to Motown, while “Evangeline” shimmers with much beauty amid timeless folk sounds that are a bit dreamy, too, in a gospel sort of way.

Making our way towards the end, “Smoke & Fire” places Mike Stevens on harmonica alongside soothing vocal harmonies in the slow burning album highlight, and “Coffee” exits the listen with a mandolin friendly, hand clapping playfulness that’s a bit rootsy, kind of bluesy, and sounds just right for a campfire.

Morand is armed with a voice you won’t soon forget, and meticulous attention to detail makes for an Americana, folk, soul, roots effort that just might be one of the year’s best.

Travels well with: Partington & Sweeney- Commonplaces; Jim Stanard- Color Outside The Lines

Eric Nathan

Missing Words

New Focus, 2022

9/10

Listen to Missing Words

The esteemed composer Eric Nathan brings a small handful of the best modern ensembles to this very daring effort, where orchestration, pitch and harmony are all refined with a strong attention to detail.

“Missing Words I” opens the listen with the Boston Modern Orchestra Project providing much ambience and control as a cinematic and often tense climate pushes and pulls with moody strings and bright brass, and “Missing Words II” brings the American Brass Quintet to a very meticulous and adventurous layering of brass dynamics.

Disc 1 exits with the mysterious and charming blending of Parry Karp’s cello and Christopher Karp’s piano, as “Missing Words III” emits a low and alluring tone.

Disc 2 is especially exciting, where the fascinating manipulation of sound from the International Contemporary ensemble nearly sounds sci-fi on “Missing Words IV”, while “Missing Words V”moves swiftly with intricate strings and firm keys guiding the chamber setting. “Missing Words VI” then meshes the winds, and strings in both quick, upbeat settings, as well as calm, intimate ebbs thanks to Hub New Music.

Certainly more a desolate effort than most of Nathan’s work, in the area of contemporary classical and ambitious chamber music, it just doesn’t get much better than this.

Travels well with: Stephanie Lamprea- Quaking Aspen; Adam Roberts- Bell Threads

The Wombats

Fix Yourself, Not The World

Self-Released, 2022

8/10

Listen to Fix Yourself, Not The World

The long running English indie-rock outfit The Wombats are back with their 5th album, and it’s a career highlight where R&B, New Wave, alt-rock and indie-tronica ideas are all present and appreciated.

“Flip Me Upside Down” opens the listen with playful bass lines as swift drumming and some atmosphere enters the indie-pop meets funk climate, and “This Car Drives All By Itself” follows with a calm, dreamy delivery that quickly builds into a melodic and anthemic thumping of acid house meets punk.

Moving down the line, “Method To The Madness” glides cautiously with soulful singing and an introspective demeanor, while “People Don’t Change, Time Does” makes great use of angular guitar work amid the gritty yet melodic album highlight.

Advancing towards the end, the dizzying “Don’t Poke The Bear” could certainly soundtrack a night at the club with its buzzing, energetic demeanor, and “Fix Yourself, Then The World” exits the listen with a haze of ambience and exploration that again proves just how versatile The Wombats are.

Fix Yourself, Not The World went straight to #1 in the UK, and it’s easy to see why; The Wombats’ version of rock is just so multifaceted, unpredictable and creative, it truly is music that everyone will enjoy.

Travels well with: The Fratellis- In Your Own Sweet Time; Maximo Park- The National Health

Opal Canyon

Tomorrow To The Sea

Self-Released, 2022

9/10

Listen to Tomorrow To The Sea

The husband and wife duo of Dave Houghton and Debra DeMuth, as Opal Canyon the pair are deeply indebted to the Laurel Canyon sound, where catchy choruses, plenty of rhythm and soulful harmonies are never in short supply.

“Invisible” starts the listen on a very warm note, where soft acoustic guitar and very pretty, cautious singing unfolds with a soothing folk and Americana delivery, and “Crickets And Stars” follows with a similar amount of beauty as the intricate guitar work and a more breezy approach hints at calmer country sounds.

“Last Hurra” arrives at the halfway point, and gets a bit more firm with the drumming and strumming that even borders on psychedelic, while “Moon Song Swing” gets kind of groovy and welcomes a dance friendly energy. “Tomorrow To The Sea (Big Hugs)” then embraces some rock’n’roll flavor that’s irresistible and invites singing along immediately.

Further yet, the shuflling pace of “(Don’t Go Back To) Rockville” puts a playful spin on the R.E.M. classic, and “Palm Trees” exits the listen swift amid lively melodies and plenty of rock’n’roll spirit that you won’t soon forget.

This is the pair’s 2nd album, and it’s full of timeless and memorable Americana, where their voices complement one another, and the sharp songwriting and flawless delivery equals a listen of all substance and no filler.

Travels well with: Lake Street Dive- Free Yourself Up; Sister Sparrow- Gold

Pont à Mousson

Shelter!

Cudighi, 2021

8/10

Listen to Shelter!

The French artist Pont á Mousson returns with another batch of unclassifiable pop songs, where his unclassifiable formula rubs elbows with psychedelia and progressive ideas, too.

After the 30 seconds of the buzzing keys of “Intro”, “The Departure” enters with a very cultured version of pop, where agile piano and well timed drumming bouts complement the expressive singing.

Later on, “Under The Street” flows with a haze of wordless vocals alongside the light instrumentation, while “The Island” brings plenty of ambience into a retro-pop spirit that’s a bit blurry. “Lonely Patrol”, another creative tune, then brings some psychedelic ideas into the progressive sounds.

Near to the end, “Getting Better” offers a poetic display of elegant keys and atmosphere, and “Final” exits the listen with prog-pop sounds that are a bit spacey, kind of jangly and entirely captivating.

Yet another charming and unconventional release from the Cudighi label, Shelter! was mixed and mastered by Ben Varian and art by Nicolas Guine, and they certainly illuminate Pont á Mousson’s inimitable spirit in very exciting ways.

Travels well with: Train Fantôme- Nous sommes dans un rêve; Various Artists- Forest Bath

Jami Templeton

The Shape Of My Heart

Self-Released, 2022

8/10

Listen to The Shape Of My Heart

An artist with a profoundly beautiful voice, Jami Templeton chooses 11 songs from the American songbook that represent an important piece of her life, as Joel Frahm (tenor sax), Andy Langham (piano, melodica), Edwin Livingston (bass) and Charles Ruggiero (drums) illuminate her timeless jazz vision.

“Angel Flying Too Close To The Ground” starts the listen with Templeton’s dreamy vocals surrounded by twinkling keys and light bass in the poetic climate, and the title track follows with delicate drumming complementing the intimate singing.

Elsewhere, “Let’s Stay Together” showcases agile piano amid the romantic landscape, while “Need You Now” is particularly stirring in its soft yet powerful performance that puts a very unique angle on the classic track.

Approaching the end, “I Fall In Love Too Easily” has Templeton singing alongside precisely plucked bass and gentle keys, and “The Dance” exits the listen louder, initially, before settling into cozy brass and mature keys.

We’re not used to hearing these pop and rock tunes in a jazz-influeneced setting, and they only came to be after Templeton survived Lyme disease and Covid, which provided the impetus for getting back to her love of singing. While let’s hope there are no more health scares on the horizon, we would all benefit from more cautious interpretations that are, with any luck, coming soon.

Travels well with: Shannon Gunn- On A Mountain; Sarah Jerrom- Dream Logic

Todd'n'Tina

Dynamite

Avenpitch, 2022

9/10

Listen to Dynamite

The debut album from the Minnesota pair, Todd and Tina know their way around a family friendly and very fun tune that will have grinning ear to ear and singing along to the playful and lively energy, which is no surprise since Todd is a jingle writer, too.

“French Toast Day” opens the listen with a thumping and ‘80s influenced climate that brings shouted backing vocals from the youngters, and “Dermatologist Astronaut” follows with warm keys as the duo trade off vocal duties in a very dance friendly delivery.

Further along, “Giraffes Like Peanut Butter” pairs dreamy backing vocals with a stylish and frisky approach, while “Panda Bear Dance” is the ultimate sing-along tune, where the bright keys tell a fun story that’s a bit quirky in all the best ways.

Deeper still, “Flossing Is My Hobby” is a rowdy rocker that might have you stage diving in your living room while dreaming of flossing your teeth, and “Two Old Friends” exits the listen with a cozy intimacy as Tina handles vocals on the pretty and wise finish.

A very charming listen that would fit in well with Laurie Berkner, Raffi or The Wiggles, this first record from Todd’n’Tina is an irresistible family affair that you can’t listen to just once.

Travels well with: Twinkle- A Mi Me Gusta Ser Yo * It’s Ok To Be Me; Alison Faith Levy- You Are Magic

Jackie Bristow

Outsider

Mesa Blueroom, 2022

9/10

Listen to Outsider

The Nashville resident Jackie Bristow sure is in fine company here, where a large handful of Americana all-stars from her hometown help her flesh out these soul, country, folk and roots flavored tunes.

“Livin’ For Love” starts the listen with Bristow’s soulful pipes alongside warm banjo, Hammond organ and playful drumming from Greg Morrow for the cozy opener, and “Shakin’ My Bones” follows with a gorgeous guitar tone amid the poetic singing and eloquent atmosphere.

Nearing the middle, “Tennessee You Call Me Home” recruits trumpet and flugelhorn thanks to Mike Haynes and sax from Sam Levine for a nearly gospel delivery, while “Fool For You” moves with a stirring intimacy that benefits much from graceful piano and mature strings in the powerful and dreamy album highlight.

Close to the end, “Rockin’ Chair” showcases Joe Davies’ aching pedal steel as Bristow’s soothing vocals really do draw us in, and “Easy Road” exits the listen with mandolin by Mark Punch to complement the wise singing and lush melodies.

This is Bristow’s 5th album, and it’s a varied affair where unplugged and electric instruments are met with strings and horns for the aptly titled listen which again proves that although the New Zealand native might be iconoclastic, her unique brand of Americana just may prove to be one of the year’s best.

Travels well with: Brigitte Demeyer- Seeker; Lynne Hanson- Just Words

Randy Huston

Times Like These

Outside Circle, 2022

8/10

Listen to Times Like These

The real life cattle rancher Randy Huston tells the tale of the American cowboy and the love and respect for family and land on this modern country western listen that’s full of sincere, well thought out song craft.

“Where The Storms Go To Die” starts the listen with agile drumming, moody guitar and Huston’s eloquent wordplay about drought that makes quite an impression, and “The Hands That Held The Child” flows with mature piano accompanying Huston’s expressive and soothing singing.

Further on, “Can’t Pick Your Family” displays Huston’s comedic side amid some western swing fun, while the poetic and sweeping “Way Of The Cowboy” contains much warm atmosphere to complement Huston’s vivid storytelling,

Deeper yet, the upbeat and playful “Cowboy Card” will certainly get you searching for your dancing shoes as Huston’s deep pipes show much range alongside soulful backing vocals, and an even more intimate version of “Way Of The Cowboy” exits the listen with Huston’s rugged beauty at the surface.

The cozy baritone and strong attention to detail make every track here an ideal listen for the cowboy enthusiast, or anyone with an ear for country western sounds, really, as Huston’s genuine demeanor sure is appreciated.

Travels well with: Riddy Arman- Riddy Arman; Moot Davis- Seven Cities Of Gold

The Pine Hearts

Lost Love Songs

Self-Released, 2022

8/10

Listen to Lost Love Songs

The Olympia, Washington outfit The Pine Hearts bridge Americana and bluegrass in very charming and memorable ways, and here they turn in perhaps their most mature effort yet, and it’s one that truly captures their diverse skill set and unwavering sincerity.

“Mary The Night’s On Fire” starts the listen with warm strings alongside raw vocals as a timeless bluegrass appeal resonates with the vocal harmonies, and “Wouldn’t You Know” follows with much beauty amid the flowing banjo and rootsy flavor.

Packed in the middle is the cautious and heartfelt “Losing You”, as well as the fascinating string acrobatics of the indeed sweet “Sugarcane”. “Bones Of The Vineyard”, one of the album’s best, then uses plucked strings strategically with no shortage of hooks as classic country nods are in attendance.

Deeper yet, “Long Gone Crazy” is a display of minimal instrumentation and plenty of vocals meeting at a very mountain-esque intersection, and “Unit Of Time” exits the listen with an initially a cappella environment that’s intimate and exploratory enough to bring trumpet into the formula.

The lead singer and songwriter Joey Capoccia actually penned several of these songs while in Antarctica, as well as plenty of others cities in his vast travels. A record that could soundtrack a campfire, a jam band festival or a hoedown, if you haven’t discovered the jamgrass meets alt-country of The Pine Hearts yet, there’s certainly no reason not to start here.

Travels well with: Terry Klein- Tex; Sad Daddy- Way Up In The Hills

Hollis Brown

In The Aftermath

Mascot Label Group/Cool Green, 2022

8/10

Listen to In The Aftermath

Who doesn’t love a good covers album? Well, if you do, and you also like The Rolling Stones, then Hollis Brown have quite the record for you here, where they interpret the first album of original material from The Stones.

“Paint It Black” starts the listen with an intially spacey and then warm version of the classic that thumps just as firm as you’d expect, and “Stupid Girl” follows with driving melodies, bright vocals and a timeless energy.

Elsewhere, the strategic keys of “Under My Thumb” help make for a rhythmic version that was previously done best by Social Distortion, while “Think” gets a bit breezy with a hint of classic rock. “High And Dry” then recruits harmonica for the country spirited album highlight that will get anyone dancing on the nearest porch.

Arriving near the end, the gritty rocker “It’s Not Easy” is both rugged and melodic, and “Goin’ Home” exits the listen with plenty of southern flavor mixed into the soulful, bluesy and loose delivery.

The exceptional slide guitar and harmonica moments really add much to the listen, and Hollis Brown certainly do justice to the legendary album with their own brand of Americana and lively rock’n’roll. Even for someone like myself who is hardly a fan of The Stones, this is an excellent experience.

Travels well with: Patrick Sweany- Close To The Floor; Jesse Malin- Outsiders

Kevin The Persian

Southern Dissonance

Self-Released, 2022

9/10

Listen to Southern Dissonance

A singer-songwriter based in New Orleans, Kevin The Persian knows his way around a rock song you won’t soon forget, and here we’re treated to 9 that constantly change direction in a ‘90s sort of way.

“Coping Mechanisms” opens the listen with a loud and thundering blast of dense rock that’s a bit grungey, kind of alt-rock and is packed with driving melodies, and “What You Deserve” follows with an acoustic angle that’s still quite firm but also very tuneful.

A record where no two tracks run the same course, “Persian Delta Blues” indeed brings nods to the blues with its guitars amid the thumping rhythm section, while “Rock Is Dead” hints at metal in its thick moments of drumming acrobatics, swirling guitar solos and more forceful singing.

The title track arrives near the end, and brings some southern rock ideas to the hard rock formula, and “Flameleaf” exits the listen with a meticulousness and a bit of a dreamy appeal in the nostalgic climate.

If this were 1994, it wouldn’t surprise us if Kevin The Persian were on the Sub Pop label, and in 2022 it’s a breath of fresh air when so much music is computer generated, similar and uninspired. Certainly one hell of a debut, we should all be keeping an eye on Kevin The Persian’s next move.

Travels well with: Purgatory Line- Purgatory Line; Castle Black- Get Up, Dancer

Jack Klatt

It Ain’t The Same

Yep Roc, 2019

9/10

Listen to It Ain’t The Same

I’m willing to bet that the next future legend from Minneapolis is the troubadour Jack Klatt, who, despite only being in his 30’s, brings a wise and mature spirit that runs parallel to names like Guthrie and Dylan on It Ain’t The Same.

Klatt starts the listen with the key friendly and elegant “I’ll Never Let You Down”, where he sounds older than his years as harmonicas complement the setting, and “Looking For Love” follows with a gentle folk spirit and timeless melody that embodies plenty of atmosphere.

In the middle, “It Ain’t The Same” has Klatt channeling a retro feeling amid a sparse delivery, while “Caught In The Middle” recruits a darker spirit complete with a gothic blues approach.

Deeper cuts bring us the upbeat and festive “Prove My Love”, which is coated with honky tonk shuffling, and “Tinted In Blue” continues the pace with a breezy, Americana gem that’s full of pop sensibilities. “Love Me Lonely” ends the listen with balladry, as Klatt again illustrates his strong songwriting prowess.

Klatt’s first ‘studio’ record in the sense that he took his time here, didn’t record live to tape, and really took advantage of what the studio could offer his songs, unfolds with a career highlight that proves that Jack Klatt is a name we’re all going to be hearing a lot more of.

Travels well with: Haley- Pleasureland; Robbie Fulks & Linda Gail Lewis- Wild! Wild! Wild!