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Rockin' Rich Lynch's "Week In Review" - June 13, 2025 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.
• Little Feat: Strike Up The Band - Little Feat makes an unlikely return with a new album that explodes with an infectious energy that seamlessly blends their signature country-fried R&B, blues and funk with fresh collaborations and dynamic grooves. Somehow - they found a new frontman in Scott Sharrard who expertly holds down the real estate on stage once reserved for band founder Lowell George and longtime member Paul Barrere - in a way that honors the past while providing a path to even more future glory. With long timers Bill Payne, Sam Clayton, Kenny Gradney and Fred Tackett still on board the Feat just keep on sailing right along - and that's music to our ears. Standout tracks - "Too High to Cut My Hair", "4 Days of Heaven 3 Days of Work". (More at > www.littlefeat.net) • Cosmic Cathedral: Deep Water - With a prog rock supergroup lineup consisting of Neal Morse, Chester Thompson, Phil Keaggy and Byron House boasting an out of this world moniker you would expect this debut to be good - and it is. In fact, the album's thirteen tracks represent a big and beautiful canon of spiritual and musical enlightenment that takes a deep dive into the realms of prog, jazz fusion, classic rock and pop with a symphonic flair. With its intricate arrangements, soaring melodies and emotionally charged performances - especially on the eight-part suite that dominates the proceedings - this record is nothing short of a bold and immersive listening journey. Still, with all the talent contained within we can't help but think the guys have only scratched the surface of their potential. Meaning? A second coming of the Cosmic Cathedral better be in the offing because you got our attention and we believe! (More at > insideoutmusic.bandcamp.com) • Push Puppets: Tethered Together - We are big fans of Chicago's Push Puppets. Hell, they had us at "Small Doses" from their 2008 release a few lifetimes ago. Still, we can happily say that their lush sounding, bittersweet power pop remains fully intact on this album's ten tracks. On their fourth album, band leader Erich Specht fronts a five piece that deliver captivating, melodic and insightful musings on relationships and loss - as well as the weight and joy of life in a manner that is memorable and wholly satisfying. A welcome string quartet throughout the proceedings adds to the shiny production that ties the whole thing together. Standout tracks - "Similar", "Probably", "All Together on 3". (More at > www.pushpuppets.net) • David Starr: Must Be Blue - The undisputed greatness of his 2020 effort "Beauty & Ruin" drew us into the universe of this significant Colorado based singer-songwriter. So, we're always interested in what he's up to next. On his latest, Starr has worked up ten tracks that venture into the world of blues while still bearing his distinctive vocal style and signature accessibility that should easily connect beyond the sometimes confining restraints of the genre. "Bringin' It Back" succeeds on mix of power chords and a bouncy ZZ Top-ish break while "Lonesome Train" is trip that is a bit more straightforward rock with an initial acoustic lead before coming around again with a scenic sounding slide guitar. David's Americana tested credentials are on full display through his soulful storytelling, lyrical clarity and a rich instrumentation that rises on Starr's well-tuned ear that always seeks out world-class production - and to that end he has succeeded yet again with a satisfying listening experience. (More at > www.davidstarrmusic.com) • Jefferson Ross: Backstage Balladeer - We fondly remember 2022's "Southern Currency" as a striking statement that clearly set Jefferson Ross apart as a class above his contemporaries. So, how would he follow his critically acclaimed collection of authentically hewn, down-home musical missives? Well, with another gem of Southern storytelling, of course! Where Ross's previous effort relied mostly on fiddle and mandolin to put across his unique perspective, this current set is more upbeat with acoustic guitar and keys moving front and center on tracks like "Power" and the opener "Crooked Lines" that present Jefferson's vivid narratives in convincing fashion complete with a dash of humor and philosophical whimsy that consistently stamp his building brand and growing reputation. (More at > www.jeffersonross.com) • Russ Ballard: Songs From the Warehouse / The Hits Rewired - If by chance you are unfamiliar with the name "Russ Ballard" you most certainly know his unapparelled back catalog of songs that he has written for others - or have been covered by them. "The Hits Rewired" presents them all including two made famous by Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow ("Since You've Been Gone" & "I Surrender") that helped propel two separate singers to rock stardom. You probably know Ballard as the voice of Argent's "Hold Your Head Up". But, he also wrote their "God Gave Rock and Roll to You" that was further popularized nearly two decades later by KISS. Still not convinced? He was the man behind Santana's "Winning" and America's "You Can Do Magic". These examples are just the tip of the iceberg that are found on Disc #2 of his new and riveting release. Disc #1 reveals that Russ is not resting on his laurels, either, as his brand-new music presents an octogenarian clearly not content with riding off into the sunset. "Resurrection" finds Ballard rising on the style of A.O.R. hard rock that buttered his biscuits since the 70's and the rest of the album's 13 tracks aren't too shabby, either. Welcome back, Mr. Ballard! (More at > www.russballardmusic.com) • Peggy James: Till I Turn Blue - Peggy James' "Till I Turn Blue" blends honky-tonk heartbreak with echoes of '60s rock and pop, showcasing her knack for top-notch storytelling that demands repeated listens. With tracks like "Compensation" and "Loneliest Girl" - the album delivers a timeless mix of country, rock and soul-infused melodies that weave in out of Peggy's fine blues pickin' and sturdy vocals that sometimes to these ears sound like a cross between Patti Smith and Chrissie Hynde. (More at > www.facebook.com/PeggyJamesMusician/) • Rod Picott: Starlight Tour - After 24 years in the music industry, Nashville singer-songwriter has announced his intention to close his guitar case for good in November of 2025. But, before bringing his critically-acclaimed career to an end he released "Starlight Tour" and announced one final run of tour dates in Europe and The States. So, it's fairly ironic that this ten-track record filled with gritty and heartfelt story songs is receiving some of his best reviews to date. This offering winds dark alleys to find guys "Digging Ditches" while others battle it out in the ring ("A Puncher's Chance"), in prison ("Pelican Bay") or in the title track's take on the Vietnam war. "Television Preacher" is just as stark as anything off of Springsteen's "Nebraska" and just as riveting. The album is loaded with fine production and a mostly serene form of Americana stylings that perfectly supports the often troubling scenes that unfold throughout. Picott brings the whole thing home with the extra personal "Time To Let Go Of Your Dreams" that seems to be his justification for walking away from his quest. Still, there's a funny thing about decision making - there's always time to change your mind. My bet is he'll be back! (More at > www.rodpicott.com) • Make Believe Friends: Make Believe Friends - I'm pretty sure Make Believe Friends are different than fake friends. Because, after one listen to their self-titled debut you'll see just why you'll want to make the acquaintance of this sometimes nostalgia inducing act that at times is known as a Blondie tribute band when they're not working under their other alter ego - Lunden Reign. Whoever they are - you'll want them as besties - because they're just that good. "Intentions" is paved with a fresh alt-rock sound with a wall of demanding background vox that sing out a universal cautionary tale that could have been played on MTV back in the day. "Haunting" kicks off with a funky bass riff and spooky keys while "Somewhere There Forever" contains a welcome cameo by Dale Bozzio of Missing Persons who added her own personal stamp of approval to the affair. Based on the strength of this outing I can only imagine that the Make Believe Friends will return soon to play another day - unless there's trouble in the sandbox. (More at > www.facebook.com/makebelievefriendsband/) • John Mailander's Forecast: Let The World In - The forecast calls for improvisation on this pleasing collection of cinematic compositions that expertly merge jazz, world and bluegrass imperatives through a jamband filter with the end results being as unpredictable as an approaching stormfront with often pleasing results. Sometimes chaotic - often refreshing and fluid - "Let The World In" has its driving force Mailander's fiddle, keys and electronics that create an overall atmosphere of expert level collaboration between the players in this collective who should most definitely be on your radar. (More at > www.johnmailander.com)
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