Three Ways to Rock, Three Ways to Roll

Three Ways to Rock, Three Ways to Roll

There are a lot of different types of rock music. There’s the head-banging, ear-bleeding, shake-the-room kind. There’s the hip-swayin’, blues influenced kind. There’s even the “I wanna hold your hand” super swag electric guitar kind. What makes rock music, though, is the attitude of the artist, the instrumentation, and a message that upsets the status quo. Check out a few emerging rockers here in the 21st century that do rock’s history proud.

Holes in the Moon – It’s Science
-The PR materials for Holes in the Moon said they are a “menage a trois of Beck, Pink Floyd, and the Beach Boys.” Forgive me for not believing that hype. Then I listened to the first track on the album and had one of those “moments.” If any fellow critics are reading this, you know the moment. My hair went on end and I looked around the room like the guy that first struck gold in California 160 years ago. Who IS this? I asked. So this is a four song EP that is the introduction to a duo who clearly has the “it” factor for songwriting, production, and a kind of “high art” new age classic rock. That might sound like a blogger’s description, but listen to the damn album and you’ll hear what I mean. It’s freaking high art.

Moondog Matinee – Carry Me, Rosie
-If you’re a self proclaimed fan of “classic rock” but you’ve heard the same fifty songs on repeat for the last thirty years, you really need to hear Moondog Matinee. This is hands down one of the best rock bands I’ve heard in the past five years. There’s a little Zeppelin, a little Skynrd, and a lot of attitude in these extraordinarily talented band. Actually, Skynrd might be the best comparison. They hold that rock attitude with some great blues power behind it. There’s not a skip track on this incredible full album for fans of classic rock, southern rock, and overall solid guitar work and vocal quality.

Statesboro Revue – Jukehouse Revival
-Statesboro Revue has a southern twang with deep rock roots. Not to overly throw around the Skynrd comparison, but Statesboro Revue are worthy of it. Heck, the driving rhythm of “Every Town” could be straight from 1970 and the rise of electrified country music. The album makes it impossible not to tap your feet and smile a little. For me “Like the Sound” is the single for this album. There’s plenty of style and substance here. It’s the kind of album that gives listeners the impression these guys can put away some drinks and do some damage. They aren’t “rock n’ roll” for marketing purposes; it’s just who they are to the core. Good stuff.