Joe Lynn Turner’s new album has obtained glowing critiques, and final week’s single Tortured Soul is only one of many highlights. It is virtually unfathomably epic, with Kashmir-style strings and backing vocals that sound like choirs of chanting monks and lyrics about falling into the abyss and the top of humanity and watnot. So it is most likely no shock that you just voted it into first place in final week’s rock greatness chart.
Gliding into second place was Tuk Smith & The Stressed Hearts’ Women On The East Aspect Of City (opens in new tab), whereas Tyler Bryant & The Shakedown’s Off The Rails (opens in new tab) was proper behind it in third. Congratulations to all!
This week we have bands from Wales and from England and from the US and from New Zealand and from The Netherlands and from Sweden and also you get the concept, rock’s a giant place. So let’s get began, lets? And remember to vote, else it is such as you’ve not been right here in any respect.
Skindred – Gimme That Growth
In simply over three minutes Skindred make virtually all the things you’ve heard these days sound kinda half-arsed against this. Riffs, beats, wardrobe, sufficient va-va-voom from mouthpiece Benji Webbe to energy each set of Christmas lights within the nation. There aren’t any half-measures right here, of something. The brand new album, Smile, isn’t out till August 2023, so there’s a little bit of a wait however Gimme That Growth units a punch-packing tempo. Altogether now: ‘Idontcarewhachagotjustgimmedat…BOOM!’
Royal Thunder – The Knife
5 years after they final launched music (2017’s Wick) hard-hitting Atlanta trio Royal Thunder are again with a darkish, luxurious reminder of why they have been such a compelling proposition within the first place. Constructed on a robust unfold of drums, moody guitars and Mlny Parsonz’ extraordinary heavy but haunting vocals, The Knife is a cool, assured return, whetting our appetites for no matter comes subsequent. They’ve simply confirmed three US exhibits for 2023 (their first stay appearances in over three years), however watch this area for extra.
Robert Jon & The Wreck – Ache No Extra
This new single from the Orange County rockers was co-written by Blackberry Smoke’s Charlie Starr, and you may actually hear it within the Stonesy sweetness and juicy little major-minor key shifts right here – southern-kissed rock’n’roll with twists in all the precise locations. “The brand new single is about not being a stranger to ache and heartbreak in terms of a relationship with one other,” says frontman Robert Jon Burrison. “It’s the sort of ache that comes when the opposite individual doesn’t deal with you nicely, however deep down inside, you’re value extra.”
Skinny Information – Class A Dummy
Followers of Inexperienced Day, Eureka Machines and Foo Fighters, you’ll like this one from British goodtime alt/pop-rockers Skinny Information. “It’s precisely what it says on the tin! A tongue in cheek track about partying, getting wasted, and having time,” says frontman/guitarist Andy L Clean, “Catchy singalongs, huge riffs, guitar solos, and an entire heap of power!” He’s not incorrect about any of that, although it form of underplays how tight and on-the-money this track and its cohort of licks, riffs and beats are. So benefit from the ‘woooo-partayyy!’ vibes and daft faces, however belief that that’s not the place it ends.
DeWolff – Counterfeit Love
Take a shimmery, soulful journey again to the late 60s and early 70s with Dutch threesome DeWolff (and their numerous buddies that make up the ensemble really feel right here). Counterfeit Love seems like one thing Blackberry Smoke might need provide you with after an evening of superb wines, Led Zeppelin and previous motown information – full with whirling Hammond solo for added retro crunch. There extra the place this got here from on their new album Love, Demise & In Between, which comes on 3 February.
Curly’s Jewels – Prison
Hailing from the house of the world-famous bucket fountain (that is Wellington, New Zealand, kinetic sculpture followers), Curly’s Jewels have been going for a decade, however new single Prison finds them pumping out sizzling rock motion with unbridled youthful enthusiasm. It kicks off with a thumping riff that encroaches on the sort of territory claimed by Pearl Jam’s Even Circulation, however actually will get occurring the refrain, the place powerhouse singer Jel Pollock feels like she might give Lzzy Hale a run for her cash. Spectacular stuff.
Larkin Poe – Southern Consolation
“Rising up in Tennessee and Georgia formed my sister and myself in so many stunning methods,” says youthful Larkin Poe sibling Rebecca Lovell. “Now, as an grownup, I really feel grateful to mirror on that childhood and to name Nashville dwelling. I liked penning this track, and attending to share southern hospitality, southern consolation, with all of the candy souls we encounter on our travels around the globe, feels empowering.” What with all that southern communicate, it is maybe no shock that there is a contact of Lynyrd Skynyd about Southern Consolation‘s snaking riff, however the track actually lifts in true Nashville model because the refrain hits, and there is a pleasing quantity of twang. Catch Larkin Poe on tour in 2023.
Åskväder – Cyclops
Answering the age-old query, “What would a cross between Turbonegro and the Arctic Monkeys sound like?”, Åskväder (which implies “Thunderstorm” in Swedish), are on a mission to carry probably the most righteous rock’n’roll to humanity, and Cyclops suggests that they are succeeding. “Our aim for the buildup of the track is that the listeners needs to be compelled, by way of the length of this gem, to boost their fists within the air and begin head banging,” say Åskväder. And who can be idiotic sufficient to quibble with that sort of ambition? Not us, actually.
