Lake Street Dive Create Obligatory Fun on ‘Good Together’
While Lake Street Dive trot out their funk and soul instrumentation on Good Together, the record has few genuinely fun or moving moments.
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She & Him Pay Tribute to the Sensitive Side of Brian Wilson
She & Him reveal the love and respect they have for the original material on Melt Away: A Tribute to Brian Wilson. These songs gently rock and soothe.
Gov’t Mule’s ‘Heavy Load Blues’ Will Lighten Your Burden
Heavy jam legends Gov’t Mule lay bare their roots on Heavy Load Blues, resulting in one of the most satisfying albums of the year.
Natalie Hemby Puts Her Fans on ‘Pins and Needles’
Natalie Hemby’s Pins and Needles arrives like a mid-career release from an artist fully confident of her direction. It has the force of time behind it.
‘A Few Stars Apart’ Shows Lukas Nelson as a Musical Chameleon
Lukas Nelson’s A Few Stars Apart is further evidence that he’s a musical chameleon. One sound moves fluidly to another so you don’t know what’s coming next.
James Taylor’s Standards Album Sounds Exactly Like You Imagine It Does
The father of soft rock is the latest to mine the Great American Songbook for inspiration, but unlike his peers, James Taylor approaches the material with the love, care, and sincerity of a true fan.
Guitarist Marcus King Finds His Voice on ‘El Dorado’
Marcus King has a raw ache in his throat that makes him sound as if he's coarsely whispering the words. Even when he's singing about a "Young Man's Dream", King's vocals suggest the experience of age.
Grace Potter Leaves the Nocturnal for ‘Daylight’
Grace Potter continues to evolve on her complex new record, Daylight.
‘For Discos Only’ Is the Rare Archival Release You Can Truly Boogie To
With For Discos Only, Craft Recordings have created a multi-disc mirrorball extravangza that simply cannot be beat in terms of groovy fun.
Ry Cooder Seeks Comfort in Gospel Music on ‘The Prodigal Son’
Ry Cooder's first album in six years exchanges pointed political commentary for spiritual songs of comfort and consolation.