Rockin' Rich Lynch Presents His Week In Review

• WEEK IN REVIEW ARCHIVE

Rockin' Rich Lynch's "Week In Review" - May 31, 2024

Nashville's Rockin' Rich Lynch (www.RockinRichLynch.com) is a journalist, concert reporter and rock photographer with decades of experience in the music business. He receives dozens of new releases every week that all vie for his unique review style and personalized perspective. If you would like to see this column prosper - or if you would like to bolster RRL's ongoing muscial efforts - the best thing that you can do is BUY His Debut Album in order to support his ongoing creative journey.

• Rolling Stones: Hackney Diamonds - There is a long-standing joke and Internet meme that suggests Keith Richards is going to outlive us all. While that may be a stretch it is quite true to say that Keef and his long-time Glimmer Twins partner Mick Jagger have just made another recorded statement that will go a long way in securing their musical immortality. Yes, Hackney Diamonds is that good! Depending on who you talk to this is The Stones' best work in thirty or forty years - besting or equaling past praised platters like Tattoo You (1981) and Steel Wheels (1989). Just how they did this so far down the line in their famously fabulous career is due to a combination of events and choices that have resulted in The Stones sounding as fresh and relevant as they ever have. First, this is their first album of all new original material in 15 years so they have had a lot of time to think about it. Next, the 2021 death of drummer Charlie Watts served as a wake up call to the band that time is passing - and probably soon running out. So, they wanted to get back in the studio to prove they were still up to the task. Finally, they brought on the in-demand and hot young producer Andrew Watt who was eager to use his skills to help bring the patented Rolling Stones sound up-to-date for a new generation of listeners. Like the two previous albums mentioned that gave us the memorable openers of "Start Me Up" and "Sad Sad Sad" this one too begins with the strong emotional plea of "Angry" - a rollicking and rockin' number that begs for domestic tranquility. While that sentiment is something you might expect from an octogenarian - something that both main members of the band will soon be - there is really no hint of the pair being anything less than youthful rock and rollers at heart to be found through the album's next ten tracks. "Get Close" has a modified disco groove that recalls the best of their Some Girls era. "Depending On You" conjures up memories of the "Waiting On A Friend" video with its "sharing a smoke on the steps of a bar" line. Sure, that was a time when Mick and Keith's friendship was actually about to go into the gutter for a decade. But, happily for fans of The Stones their greater appreciation of each other's talents more recently has resulted in this pearl of an album all these years later. Hackney Diamonds is all killer and no filler especially when they show sharpened skills on "Live By The Sword" complete with hand claps and the extended breakdown on this timeless cautionary tale. "Tell Me Straight" is another fine addition to Keith's greatest Rolling Stones hits in its straightforward and low-key way. Many special guests abound on the album but it's Lady Gaga's glorious appearance on "Sweet Sounds of Heaven" that raises the level of the proceedings to other-worldy. The Stones only show their age when they pay homage to the old bluesman Muddy Waters who gave the group their name with a cover of his "Rolling Stones Blues". Still, that is very much on purpose as Keith and Mick close out the project as a duo with just vocals and guitar keeping the authentic and rough around the edges feel of the original. If this is the last time we ever hear from the Rolling Stones they have gone out in style and have left no stone unturned and unshattered in their effort to return to the top of the pops. But, rumor has it that there is another full-length album's worth of material from these sessions. So, it appears they still have more time to shine if they can get another batch of gemstones to the marketplace in a timely manner. (More at > rollingstones.com)

• Hugo's VOYAGE: Inception - The word 'inception' is defined as the establishment or starting point of an institution or activity. Now, Hugo's VOYAGE was formed in 2005 and would go on to become the most successful touring Journey tribute band in the United States - attracting a dedicated following of fans who are deeply moved by the music. But, they haven't seemed fit to release tracks under their own moniker until only recently. With the much-anticipated Inception from Frontiers Music they offer a trek back in time while also pointing to new exciting ports of call in the genre. So - buckle up for a rockin' and refreshing ride! Hugo's VOYAGE features former Valentine and Open Skyz singer Hugo Valenti on vocals; Robby Hoffman (guitar); Greg Smith (bass); Dana Spellman (drums); and, Lance Millard (keyboards) who together have set out on a musical journey that crafts a signature - yet, very familiar - sound that pays homage to their main influence while carving out a unique and vibrant identity that makes the trip memorable and ultimately very worthwhile. "For me, it was a natural progression for us to follow our inspiration and come out with an album of original songs. This one's for all the AOR fans out there," says Hugo. The album's 12-tracks are certainly a platform to showcase Hugo's voice - with its incredible range, captivating tone and unparalleled emotional depth that translate his personal experiences into timeless melodies and lyrics. Inception is a testament to his songwriting prowess and his commitment to creating music that resonates with all people. The compositions explore universal themes of love, hope, loss and self-discovery - accompanied by infectious melodies that linger in the minds of listeners long after the final note fades away. Much like the band that guides their way, Hugo's VOYAGE excels at creating both riveting rockers and beautiful ballads and the musical journey contained within their debut record leads to a pretty remarkable destination - one that should have you slotting in Inception firmly within the "J" section on your CD rack. It doesn't take long for the classic vocals harmonies made famous by that other band to show themselves underscored often by Schon-style riffs and sweeping guitar solos. Of course, Journey has achieved chart success over the decades with their "Don't Stop Believing" becoming one of the most played songs on the planet. So, it's no surprise that Hugo and company would voyage into that territory and the piano driven "Don't Wanna Live Without Your Love" is certainly a respectful and playful pastiche reminiscent of Journey's most famous track. Hugo is in fine voice throughout and there is no doubt that he sounds very much like the "voice" on Journey's most successful records. Still, Inception is most sonically similar to the latter-era Perry smooth vocal offerings and radio-friendly fare found on Trial By Fire. And, there are several tracks that seem to be mirroring the harrowing tales that populate the grooves of Steve's most recent solo album - especially the heart wrenching closer "When Heaven Makes An Angel". So, this one has a little bit of everything for those who truly miss Journey's most sonically gifted singer. But, Journey is an active band who is still touring and releasing music of their own. So, why is Hugo's VOYAGE even necessary at this time? Well, in many ways Inception represents almost everything that you would want from a new Journey album - especially with that band's recent offerings that many say missed the mark. Throw in the fact that this ticket sets sail without all the toxic drama and dirty laundry being aired by that other outfit in recent years - and, well, then maybe that's the point. (More at > www.voyageband.com)

• Trevor Rabin: Rio - YES!!! It has taken over 30 years but we finally have a new vocal-led solo album from the immensely gifted man with the golden touch - Mr. Trevor Rabin. The talented South African singer, songwriter and guitarist shot into the collective consciousness of music fans around the world when he stepped into YES in the early 80's to help return them to the top of the charts. Then, he stayed on to orchestrate a series of records that would serve to make an impression and firmly mark his place in that legendary band. In the midst of that success he released Can't Look Away in 1989 and now comes Rio - its amazing follow-up that now has fans wondering "where have you been" and "when can we expect more from you". The answer to the first question is that Rabin never left the music scene he just directed his energy and creative output into a vast catalog of soundtrack work that kept the roof over his head over the years without burdening him with all the headaches that came from not being Steve Howe in the band YES. A re-introduction to prog fans occurred when ARW formed in 2016 with fellow YES alumni Jon Anderson and Rick Wakeman. Bold commentary followed that promised new music from this YES-styled offshoot but that work never materialized. Instead, Trevor took his road hone chops to his own studio to create and complete his own songs that were in various stages of formation over the years. The result is the beautiful and bountiful Rio that through 10 diverse and declarative tracks makes a monstrous musical statement that is hard to turn away from. In fact, many fans point to the dismal recent output of his former band and wonder where they would be had his creative input been brought back into their fold. Rio paints a prog and pop-licious picture that points in the direction of what could have been. On the other hand, the album that finds Trevor playing the majority of the instruments on the record - minus the drums - with some additional backup singers proves that he probably never really needed them in the first place. Opening with the joyous and jolting "Big Mistakes" that mixes Tom Petty's "Jammin' Me" with Big Generator stylings and a strong guitar based coda was a smart decision. Next up, "Push" provides a sonically pleasing perspective on the most distasteful of subjects - that of political corruption. In interviews Rabin admits to feeling pushed too far so he turned to song to call them out. Timely, especially if some good can come out of it. Not likely though. Trevor's three decade history of film scoring shows through most on the expansive and evocative "Oklahoma" that reminisces about that terribly tragic day when the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building was bombed on April 19, 1995. Yes, there are some pretty heavy subjects being tackled on throughout Rio but it never gets preachy and with his world-class musicianship at the forefront it's more like a spoonful of sugar helping the medicine go down. There are a few numbers that pay homage to his South African homeland - "Thandi" and "Egoli". Rabin revives the Beach Boys era harmonies on "Tumbleweed" and he also channels some Steve Howesque country picking along the way. But, it's the tracks that revisit his YES years that to these ears are the absolutely most interesting ones on the record. "Paradise" is near heaven with some "Leave It" style voicings and a lead vocal that sounds as if it was hand-crafted for the dictates of singer Jon Anderson. Since he's nowhere to be found here, Rabin stands in ready made for the role just as he did way back the first time in 1983. Later in the track it also sounds like the ghost of Chris Squire joins the chorus. On Rio - Trevor goes a long way and covers a lot of ground musically to reveal that he is very much alive and well in this modern era. We just hope there's more to come soon - most of us who jumped onboard the Rabin bandwagon back in the day don't have another 30 years to spare! (More at > trevorrabinmusic.com)

• Peter One: Come Back To Me - With captivating folk sounds and the most compelling music story of the year, Nashvillian via the Ivory Coast performer Peter One is making a singular statement with his stunning major label solo debut album Come Back To Me on Verve Records. One is a former country star on the African continent now making a name for himself all over again after a 30 year detour that found him taking jobs in public service - first as a security guard and later a nurse - in order to provide for his family. Now, astonishingly One has returned to his music career picking up where he left off and gaining an impressive amount of momentum along the way having just made his debut at the Grand Ole Opry. Opening slots for Yola and Jason Isbell, appearances at Big Ears and SXSW, and upcoming dates at the Newport Folk, Pilgrimage Festival and the Royal Albert Hall in London all point to a promising future for Peter who has come back to the scene in a big way. On the record that some are calling a masterpiece of afro-pop, country and folk we most enjoyed the Paul Simonesque Graceland-like tones of "Cherie Vico" that had us wondering what came first - the chicken or the egg. The autobiographical "Staring Into The Blues" also caught our attention with its steady backbeat and rhythmic pulsations. The final "Birds Go Die Out of Sight" evoked the most traditional country feel complete with a call and response chorus that helps it take flight as One's praiseworthy platter comes to close leaving us with the thought. We hope he doesn't take as long to come back to us next time around. (More at > peteronemusic.com)

• Don McLean: American Boys - Mr. Don McLean had his major breakthrough in January of 1972 when his song from the album of the same name American Pie hit number-one in the U.S. for four straight weeks. Now, a half century later comes American Boys. Sure, boys like pie - nothing unusual there. What is a bit curious and courageous on McLean's part is that the subject matter of many of the record's 12 songs have a very binary connotation - at least where titles are concerned. The title track is in fact a straight up rocker and homage to the fathers of American rock 'n' roll with Don mining much of the musical history that occurred in the 50's. "Stone Cold Gangster" and "The Meanest Girl" are odes to relationships gone bad perhaps pulled from the tabloids that have documented McLean's own trials and tribulations through the years. "Vacant Luxury" finds Don doing his best Lou Reed impression as he veers into the world of anger-infused spoken word while a few of the other tracks make insightful post pandemic observations. Overall, the band is great, the musicianship top-notch and Don McLean is in strong voice. Clearly these are crazy times and the world has gone mad. But, Don McLean's music has helped us through turbulent times in the past - think Nixon and Vietnam. You might agree that on American Boys the heralded songwriter has dished up another helping of tasty numbers to help us navigate our current woes with a dose of music that still lives with vitality through a truly legendary figure. This one gets a thumbs up! (More at > donmclean.com)

• Jon Muq: Flying Away - With a story unlike any other - Ugandan Jon Mug has emerged as a musical force to be reckoned with on his reflective and forward thinking debut Flying Away that tells the story of Muq's life to date through a stirring mix of afropop, folk and soul. After busking at home locally a video of him singing in the streets made its way to Norwegian Cruise who hired him to be a performer on their giant ship. There - he honed his repertoire, learned to play on rough seas and tilted stages and eventually made his way to Austin's local music scene. Ultimately, he caught the ear of Nashville's Dan Auerbach who produced the record for his Easy Eye Sound label. Muq's bio describes the young artist obsessively learning "We Are The World" on CD-R - a process that helped him hone his own take on the English language while formulating an impressive Lionel Richie impression in the process. So, it's no wonder that much of Flying Away recalls the tones from that era with Jon channeling Peter Gabriel, Paul Simon and Tracy Chapman at times over the course of his remarkable opening statement. Still, comparisons aside - Muq is nothing if not unique and convincing as he steps onto the world stage and into the ears of potentially millions of listeners around the planet. Songs like "Bend" find him embracing a contempoary and very pleasing approach that introduces a more bluesy and pop vocal style that to these ears is an instant classic. Later - "Love, Love, Love" is bouncy, hopeful and uplifting with just a small foray into falsetto from Mug that is worthy of further exploration on future releases. "Hello Sunshine" also embodies a persistent optimism with the potential to reach a broader listening audience. Overall, Flying Away is a remarkable start for the unlikeliest of pop stars. Still, the real question is where does he go from here? (More at > jonmuq.com)

• Rick Monroe & The Hitmen: Six Gun Soul - Indie country and rock veteran Rock Monroe gathers a new band who are being called top-notch progenitors of "Blue-Jean" rock. His latest record represents a hard to argue with debut from his aptly and aspirationally named band - The Hitmen. You're going to hear a lot that reminds you of peak era Bon Jovi here - at least I know I did! But, RM&TH come out aiming for greatness on Six Gun Soul where they aren't afraid to wear their influences on their sleeves, either. They cite inspiration from Bocephus, Garth Brooks, Jim Croce, and the Eagles, to Judas Priest, Van Halen, REO Speedwagon and more to achieve a raucous blend of rock, country and southern rock genres. They hit the target with "Bad Stretch Of The Road", "God's Ear", "Looking" and "World's Gone Crazy" for sure - before bringing it all home in heart-warming style on "Which Way Is Home" to empty out the chamber. Hope there's a reload on the way. (More at > rickmonroe.com)

• Jason Minton: Rock Collection - Franklin, Tennessee's Jason Minton knows a little something about laying a solid foundation. On Rock Collection (Twenty Years), Minton has poured out a path that traces his start as a recording artist right up to the current day as he pays a powerful homage to the great Paul Rodgers on "All And The Day". Yes, Jason has chops and sometimes he vocally channels the likes of another Paul (Carrack) and Glenn Tilbrook of Squeeze to reveal how English New Wave and British-Based Blues influenced him most when he was a young musician. Along the way Minton is never afraid to put his faith on display with his family values often pushed to the forefront. Jason - having been born and raised just Nashville adjacent by musical parents - has exceptional and formidable songwriting skills that are durable to stand the test of time and this retrospective presents just the right mix to set that case in stone. (More at > jasonmintonmusic.com)

• Chris "BadNews" Barnes: BadNews Travels Fast - Chris "BadNews" Barnes has really found a home in Nashville - literally, figuratively and musically. On his latest BadNews Travels Fast, Barnes refines an already top shelf blues rock approach with some really cool cats like Tom Hambridge in the production chair and guitar great Walter Trout assisting. There are so many choice cuts here but it is safe to say the subject matter veers more heavy than hokum by pulling true life stories from the depth's of the singer's soul, personal life and a potentially murky past that tackle drug use ("Mushrooms Make Me A Fun Guy"), psychological disorders ("His Majesty The Baby") and marital infidelity ("True Blues"). On the album's 11 Nashville-produced tracks Barnes has found a groove that is deeply rooted in his strong commitment to playing the clown for the common man - and by doing so - he has never been more convincing. And, he has never sounded so good. (More at > rockinrichlynch.com)

Do you like Rockin' Rich Lynch??? Did you know that the easiest way to support this site is to BUY RRL's DEBUT ALBUM on BANDCAMP? At check out you can even throw in a bit more to really say "we appreciate you"! Thanks!!!

Purchase TENN Songs through our PAYPAL store at the above link - thanks!

WEEK IN REVIEW: Expertly reviewing the latest music releases that you need to know about!