Black Joe Lewis & Honeybears "The Difference Between Me & You"
For their 5th album, Black Joe Lewis & Honeybears did what may seem impossible for 2018. They made The Difference Between Me & You an authentic, honest to goodness blues album. I mean, if ever there was a time for the blues to come back, now would be it, eh? If that doesn’t whet your appetite, check out this quote from Glide Magazine “a deep repertoire of sounds: the heavy grooves of Albert King, punked-up blues of R.L. Burnside, the storytelling of Bobby “Blue” Bland, and the soulfully layered horns of The Rolling Stones.” Check out the horn-heavy “Culture Vulture.”
Swearin' "Fall Into The Sun (Merge)"
For those keeping score at home Swearin’, is Allison Crutchfield’s band with Kyle Gilbride and Jeff Bolt, and It’s the first new album from Swearin’ since 2013’s Surfing Strange and their first new music since their 2015 breakup. Late last year, the band announced they’d reunited to tour with Superchunk. Also last year, Crutchfield released a debut solo album, Tourist in This Town, and toured as a member of sister Katie Crutchfield’s Waxahatchee). WOW! Got that? So let us get to “Fall Into The Sun” – you like 90’s indie rock? You like The Breeders and Elastica and breathing air? Well, you are gonna love Swearin’. Crank up “Grow Into A Ghost.”
Tommy and the Commies "Here Comes (Slovenly)"
We recently welcomed Slovenly Recordings to the BRM fold. Not familiar with their crazy excellent releases? Well you are about to be. They are known for releasing “psyched out garage punk shit rock for crazy kids all over the planet.” (their excellent words, not ours.) Case in point? Well, the first new release after we signed them is the excellent new mod-punk release from Tommy and the Commies Here Comes. Authentic, energetic rock ‘n’ roll for the scooter set here. Somewhere between The Jam and ‘70s UK band The Chords comes this scorcher of a release. Check out the snotty power of “Permanent Fixture” and welcome Slovenly to the fold!
Greg Farley "Taker Easy (RTP)"
You know who Greg Farley is, right? Why, he’s the fiddle player for The Felice Brothers! Except when he’s not, of course. Take, for instance, right now, on his debut solo LP Taker Easy. Unlike the Bros., Greg’s music is plugged in. Messy americana rock, for when Springsteen isn’t working class enough for you. These are songs about working at the Quarry, about contemplating car purchases, about love lost and love found. A little War On Drugs, a little Mellencamp, and a lot Farley. Check out the dusty shuffle of “Make It Out.”