|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rockin' Rich Lynch's "Week In Review" - July 10, 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.
• Lukas Nelson: American Romance - It's an exciting time to be Lukas Nelson - who after spending more than a decade leading a band called Promise Of The Real - has just stepped out on his own to reveal his own real and promising take on Americana and country genres with a noticeable flair that no doubt runs in his family. At times - on his first official solo release - Nelson vocally will sound like a carbon copy of his father Willie with the added advantage of relative youth adding power and control to his familiar crooning style. But, that is just one side of the multi-faceted frontman's singing abilities. He has also been influenced by the music of Neil Young, Bob Dylan, Kris Kristofferson and Eddie Vedder - to name just a few. Check out the satisfying "Born Runnin' Out of Time" that points to the idea that Lukas could be the heir apparent to the likes of the late, great Tom Petty. In fact, it is the "Godfather of Grunge" who also serves as Nelson's godfather and he passed on some tips about tearing up a guitar fretboard to his young protege - heard in a few restrained outbursts on songs like "All God Did" and "The Lie". Otherwise, the output here is a relatively laidback affair that is meant to mark a new chapter for Lukas that emphasizes his warm approach to personal and rootsy storytelling while delving deeply and often into heady subject matter such as faith, family, love and God. Nelson calls the record a love story to the country that raised him and with the release of American Romance there is no doubt the fans in the States - and, around the world for that matter - will begin a love affair of their own with this iconic American as he steps into the spotlight as an authentic and homegrown star in his own right. (More at > lukasnelson.com) • Neil Young and the Chrome Hearts: Talkin To The Trees - Here's the truth: there was a time in the late 70's through the end of the 20th century that I purchased every Neil Young album on the day of its release. For this reason, I was a fan of Neil's most under-appreciated era when he was the music industry's most unpredictable chameleon. But, he settled back into a more recognizable caricature of himself and the albums just kept coming - and as a fan it was hard to keep up with him. Today, almost 60 years after first laying down tracks with the Buffalo Springfield Young returns yet again with the 48th studio album of his long, ever-changing and extremely prolific career. Teaming up with past colleagues Promise Of the Real and Spooner Oldham to form a new group the effort features 10 tracks that echo many of his past glories. "Dark Mirage" is reminiscent of songs on Greendale with some Blue Notes pacing thrown in for good measure. Neil Young the protest singer emerges, too, on "Lets Roll Again" and "Big Change" that musically and lyrically chastise Musk and Trump respectively although neither have the staying power of "Ohio" born out of previous troubled times a half century ago. "First Fire of Winter" is noticeably similar to "Helpless" with a lion in the trees replacing big birds flying across the skies being the major concern here. Perhaps mortality is a more pressing worry than nuclear annihilation these days. "Silver Eagle" is Neil's latest car song that serves as a nice follow-up to "Long May you Run" in the style of something off of Old Ways. "Thankful" closes out the proceedings in Harvest Moon style fashion that will leave many practicing gratitude for the opportunity to spend some more time with a true rock legend. With Talkin To The Trees Neil and company have crafted a record that touches on many phases of his decades worth of musical output in the same way that rings document a tall tree's lifespan. In this way, new fans could jump on here to discover the foundation that Young has built his reputation on. Older fans might have an axe to grind saying that they've heard it all before. But, most likely it's certainly not the last we've heard from Neil. (More at > neilyoungarchives.com) • The Speaker Wars: Self-Titled - Stan Lynch - producer, Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, long-time drummer and founding member of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers - has done the improbable. That is he has triumphantly returned with a new band that should soon be playing out of stereo systems across the land in a way his old pals once did and that is music to the ears of classic rock fans everywhere. What first started out as a solo project by Nashville's Jon Christopher Davis turned into a more tangible configuration once the absolute strength of the material became clear to everyone involved - including the label Frontier Records who snapped them up quickly. "You Make Every Lie Come True" opens the project with Davis doing his best Petty impression on a true Heartbreakers-esque rocker that also captures a lot of the humor that Tom and Co would sometimes encapsulate in song. Elsewhere, Lynch's collaboration with The Eagles and Don Henley bleed through on the heavenly "Taste Of Heaven" that recall the high-flying glory years of both of those acts. Stan powers the capable sextet through 10 impressive tracks that open the cabinet doors on a new and exciting chapter that he says has given him his "old job back". The strangest inclusion on the record has to be "Trader's South" that immortalizes an old club owner who Lynch used to be employed by stating, "Here's to that bastard, Old Trader Tom". But, given his well-documented strained relationship with his other employer named Tom this is one track that is ripe to be misconstrued by some fans as it comes blaring through the speakers. What won't be misconstrued? The overall greatness of this debut that expertly blends elements of classic rock, Americana and country by a well-honed band that is prepped and ready to take it to the trenches again. We'll see you on the frontlines - we can't wait. (More at > www.thespeakerwars.com) • Marty Stuart & His Fabulous Superlatives: Space Junk - Marty Stuart & His Fabulous Superlatives launch into sonic orbit with Space Junk - a bold and cinematic double LP that reimagines surf rock through the lens of cosmic Americana. This Record Store Day exclusive isn't just a genre exercise it's a full-blown instrumental odyssey that channels the spirit of Dick Dale, Ennio Morricone and the Ventures while remaining unmistakably Stuart. From the opening track "Graveyard" - recorded near the resting places of George Jones and Marty Robbins, to the Sputnik-sampling title cut - the album is steeped in reverence and rebellion. The Superlatives - Kenny Vaughan, Harry Stinson, and Chris Scruggs - shine with telepathic precision, moving effortlessly between twangy desert soundscapes, spy-thriller grooves and surf-soaked swagger. What makes Space Junk truly compelling is its refusal to stay in one lane. Tracks like "All the Pretty Horses" and "The Surfing Cowboy" blur the lines between spaghetti western grit and California cool, while "Coastline" dips into retro pop with a wink. Stuart's adventurous spirit and deep musical knowledge give the album a timeless quality, even as it plays like a love letter to vintage vinyl and analog experimentation. It’s a record that rewards close listening, yet feels effortless—proof that Marty Stuart is still pushing boundaries, even when he's riding waves from decades past. (More at > martystuart.net) • Joan Osborne: Dylanology Live - Folk rocker Joan Osborne's latest release Dylanology Live could have just as been easily called What If Bob Was One Of Us? Let me explain. It has been abundantly established that Robert Zimmerman is no mere mortal - his lyrics and songs have been pored over for decades by fans, critics and historians who seek wisdom and meaning within the many words found in his already near-canonized canon. Similarly, dozens of other artists have heard the call and taken up his songs as a cause of their own. Now, Joan returns to her own interpretations of some favorites and deep cuts on a live recording that revisits some of the material on her 2017 collection called The Songs of Bob Dylan captured on that record's tour. Joan's homage across eight selections is an electrifying presentation that honors Dylan’s legacy while honestly capturing the grit and spontaneity of the stage performance by Joan and her top-notch backing band. Osborne reframes Dylan's work not with mimicry but with personal conviction - each track a reinvention born of instinct and soul. "Highway 61 Revisited" becomes a rollicking sermon, while "Ballad of Hollis Brown" drips with dread and urgency, fueled by taut arrangements and Osborne's voice at its rawest. Surprise guest appearances elevate the emotional arc: Jackie Greene’s organ swells bring a churchy swagger to "Rainy Day Women #12 & #35" and Robert Randolph's pedal steel cuts through with funk-infused urgency. One of the most tender moments comes with Amy Helm on "Buckets of Rain" - a duet that feels like two kindred spirits harmonizing in the hush of a late-night kitchen. Rather than simply honoring Dylan's lyrics, Osborne inhabits them - sometimes whispering, sometimes shouting - always interpreting. Dylanology Live pulses with the messy beauty of live music that is imperfect, passionate and deeply human. It's not just a concert recording - it's a declaration of what great songs can become when passed through the lens of another artist's heart - makes this offering something akin to a religious experience. (More at > joanosborne.com) • TajMo: Room On The Porch - Taj Mahal and Keb' Mo' return with Room On The Porch - a rootsy celebration of friendship, tradition and soulful storytelling. The album unfolds like a relaxed evening jam session, where two masterful musicians trade verses, jokes, and wisdom over breezy acoustic grooves and vibrant global rhythms. Ruby Amanfu lends smooth vocal warmth to the title track, opening the door to a cozy, inclusive vibe that threads through every cut. From the laid-back Caribbean pulse of "Better Than Ever" to the fiery harmonica licks on "The Blues'll Give You Back Your Soul" and the welcoming nature of the title track - this record embraces musical diversity with effortless charm. Guests like John Oates and Billy Branch add flavor, but it's Taj and Keb's chemistry - equal parts playful and profound - that powers the project's emotional core. It's a testament to blues as a living art form, molded by heritage yet open to fresh air and new sounds. Room On The Porch feels less like an album and more like an open invitation to sit awhile, share stories and let the music do the talking. It's an ode to slowing down and plugging in - not to devices, but to each other. (More at > kebmo.com/tajmo/) • Tracy Bonham: Sky Too Wide - Tracy Bonham’s Sky Too Wide is a triumphant return that blends emotional depth with musical sophistication, marking her first studio album in eight years. Drawing from jazz, classical, and alt-rock influences - Bonham reimagines earlier material while introducing new compositions that reflect her journey through personal upheaval, resilience and artistic rebirth. The album opens with a lush reinterpretation of "Give Us Something to Feel", trading its desert-rock edge for smoky jazz textures and introspective vocals. Tracks like "Jumping Bean" and "Don't Dick Around With My Heart" showcase Bonham's dynamic range - balancing gritty guitar-driven energy with delicate woodwind interludes and crystalline piano flourishes. What makes Sky Too Wide compelling is its emotional honesty. Songs like "The Uncertain Sun" and "Whether You Fall" feel like letters to the self, offering comfort and courage in the face of aging, loss, and transformation. Bonham's voice, now seasoned and expressive, carries each lyric with grace and vulnerability. The production - partially crowdfunded - feels intimate yet expansive, allowing each instrument to breathe and resonate. With contributions from jazz musicians Rene Hart and Alvester Garnett, the album pulses with subtle complexity. Sky Too Wide isn't just a comeback - it's a statement of endurance, artistry and the power of reinvention. Bonham proves that the sky may be wide - but her vision is even wider. (More at > www.tracybonham.com) • Todd Duda: Dreaming - Berkeley, California's Todd Duda returns with his latest project Dreaming that unfolds as a tender acoustic meditation on love, longing and the passage of time complete with a deep chasm of ethereal echoes that recall moments both faint and familiar. This one reminds of us of many of the indie artists who were turned onto at the start of the millennium when homespun, D.I.Y. projects were all the rage. After working with many of the A-List acts on the West Coast, Duda is now determined to sing his own insightful songs that reflect on society's most pertinent issues. Todd's strong observational songwriting - backed with full instrumental accompaniment from a competent cast of characters - reveals an indie artist who is truly wide awake and alert at this moment in time. At times there are nods to more established artists like Neil Young, The Kinks and Tom Waits throughout the album's authentic and appealing 12-tracks. Still, Duda is his own dude confidently pursuing his musical dream. Our favorites? "My Hero" and "If I Could Love You". (More at > toddduda.com) • John Jenkins: Restless Hearts - Liverpool's John Jenkins has earned many accolades including being called "One of UK's Best and most original songwriters" and his latest album released on Independence Day reinterprets the Americana genre from way across the pond in mostly pleasing and powerful ways. "The Disappearance" expertly captures the desperation of one restless heart while titles like "Cruel Wind" and "The Man Who Breaks Your Heart" continue the themes of anguish and despondency that populate the record. "I Didn't Really Want To Change the World" delivers a little bit of upbeat hope with full on stylistic musical accompaniment that sounds like the American heartland with fervent fiddle and solid slide interludes. More titles namecheck the States like "Brooklyn", "Colorado In The Spring" and "Spent The Night In Austin" that all contain Jenkins' slightly unsettled and anxious acoustic take on things. In other words - Restless Hearts offers a moody and melancholy reflection that is just perfect for these often troubled times. (More at > www.johnjenkinsmusic.com) • Giant: Stand And Deliver - With an AOR and melodic hard rock sound as big as their name implies, Giant has returned to boldly make a stand while daringly delivering the goods on their gloriously triumphant comeback statement album Stand And Deliver. Throughout the album's 11-songs we find a rejuvenated, reformed and refocused four-piece that fires on all cylinders with a punchy blend of melody, electrifying solos, anthemic choruses and a supersized production that echoes their signature AOR sound while delivering something new and modern in the process. With Kent Hilli's powerful vocals and Jimmy Westerlund's high-octane guitar work joining with Giant fixtures in the rhythm section - drummer David Huff and bassist Mike Brignardello - the records plays like a bold follow-up to Time to Burn that is built for nothing but extreme volume and a celebratory victory. Now, one question remains - can they deliver a follow-up to rival the undeniable quality that's heard on this one? For fans of 80's era Rainbow and Whitesnake complete with can't miss tunes like the opener "It's Not Right" that soars straight to the stratosphere and the punchy title track that completes the knock-out putting Giant in contention for album of the year - at least to these ears. (More at > Giant on FB)
|
|
. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
All Rights Reserved |
|
