These four artists do a few things really well, but they are difficult to categorize. There’s the heart-wrenching soul, the jangly roots, the mind melding alt rock, and the eclectic Americana. It all may to “come together” like other collections we curate, but there’s definitely something here for everyone.
Prophets and Outlaws – V
-If soul is your thing (and it should be), this album is really fantastic. There’s a swagger to it that reminds me of a bygone era. If you’re a fan of artists like Joss Stone, you really need to give this album a spin. There are some great lead vocals, some danceable grooves, and the most succulent and delicious backing vocals you’ve ever heard. It’s a SOUL album, in case you missed that.
Jack Berry – Mean Machine
-I call this alt rock, but you might be just as happy calling it blues rock. One thing is for damn sure; Jack Berry can put together guitar licks and lyrics dripping with layered meaning. The opener “King of Diamonds” is a great blues rock track to get you started, but “Told Me Not To” will absolutely make you miss Stevie Ray Vaughn. That track gives me chills. It’s a killer album start to finish.
Muddy Ruckus – Pretty Bones
-I call Muddy Ruckus “jangly folk” and mean that as the sincerest compliment. You can’t sit still listening to this music, honestly. There’s so much spirit in it, you’ll have your toes tapping. Beyond the initial joy of the music itself, you’ll hear some sort of fictional character embodied in the lead vocal. I hesitate to use the word “love,” but I really love this band. They make the kind of music that is destined for Frenchman Street in New Orleans. The rest of us just get the great pleasure of hearing it every day we want to with this incredible album. Truthfully this one deserves its own full review. Hey, maybe if enough people comment on Twitter or Facebook, we’ll write it!
Scott Wolfson and the Other Heroes – Welcoming the Flood
-A few years ago we featured Bears of Legend as an epic, orchestral folk band. I had never heard anything like them before and really since, until now. There are so many majestic sounds on this album. If you’re a fan of St. Paul de Vence, the great folk band out of Seattle, then you’ll find a lot to like with Scott Wolfson and the Other Heroes. I like both “And the Band Plays On” and “Invisible Man” for two distinctly different styles (hence the phrase eclectic Americana) that show not only the versatility but also the expert execution of the band.
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