Although it’s been a while since JD McPherson gave us a full non-holiday studio album (2017’s Undivided Heart & Soul), he hasn’t been resting on his laurels. The last few years have seen the Oklahoma-born rock ‘n’ roller go from the opening act on the Robert Plant and Alison Krauss tour to their lead guitarist and bandleader.
Time spent with the duo undoubtedly inspired how he operates, especially judging by 2023’s Warm Covers 2 EP. On it, McPherson placed his pre-Beatles rock and noir stamp on tracks by artists as varied as Iggy Pop and Big Al Downing. Now comes Nite Owls, an album that expands his outlook and sound even further.
After unsuccessfully recording a version with another group during lockdown, McPherson gathered some old pals: guitarist Douglas Corcoran, bassist Beau Sample, and drummer Alex Hall. They tracked at Chicago’s Reliable Recorders, the same location where McPherson recorded his debut, Signs and Signifiers, in 2012. The result finds JD McPherson occupying a space between Duane Eddy and Depeche Mode, sounds that are not as far apart as one may imagine. Ironically, the twang and sway of surf rock and the darker side of new wave share a similar sonic vibe, best displayed on Nite Owls in the title cut (an ode to Ziggy Stardust-era David Bowie and other glam heroes) and the foreboding “Don’t Travel Through the Night Alone”.
However, plenty of classic McPherson rock ‘n’ roll tunes are still on board. “I Can’t Go Anywhere With You” joyfully trucks along in the spirit of the Coasters-by-way-of-Rockpile while “The Rock and Roll Girls” harkens back to the golden era of AM pop a la the Raspberries.
McPherson’s T. Rex obsessions are fully realized on the opener (and first single), “Sunshine Getaway”, whose lyrics find the narrator longing for escape from his current state. It was written with McPherson’s kindred spirits, Jack Torrey and Page Burkum of the Cactus Blossoms.
Duane Eddy’s influence, as that of the Ventures, is most evident on the tremolo-heavy instrumental, “The Phantom of New Rochelle”, and the Everly Brother and Beach Boys harmonies that propel the sublime “That’s What a Love Song Does to You” end Nite Owls on a nocturnally romantic, perfect note.
At this stage, JD McPherson finds himself in an ideal career position. He’s steadily built a fanbase by following his muse, finding inspiration in various places (this time, it was as simple as listening to playlists of new music on a streaming service), and successfully fitting what he finds into his already signature sound. Nite Owls is McPherson’s most fully realized front-to-back example of his talent yet, and it points the way to an even more exciting follow-up. Hopefully, we won’t have to wait as long next time.