Thursday, February 09, 2017

New music roundup: Def Leppard, Train, Buzz Cason, Lawrence Merrill Glass

Legendary British rockers Def Leppard and Bay Area, California hitmakers Train are back with solid new titles, while pioneering 1960s artist Buzz Cason and Austin singer-songwriter Lawrence Morrill Glass have new albums worth discovering too.



Artist: Def Leppard
Title: And There Will Be A Next Time...Live From Detroit (Eagle Rock Entertainment)
You might like if you enjoy: Def Leppard, Queen
Tell me more: On arena rockers Def Leppard's new live concert recording And There Will Be A Next Time...Live From Detroit, the rock quintet is captured performing with the fire and firepower of their youth. Beyond the group's 40-year history is the parade of memorable rock hits, all of which are featured on the concert film and companion audio CDs; "Foolin'," Armageddon It," "Rocket," "Bringin' On The Heartbreak," "Pour Some Sugar On Me," "Rock of Ages" and "Photograph" are performed with powerful perfection by the band. In addition to rousing versions of the British band's many classics, the group performs fiery new material including uptempo riff rock-styled opener "Let's Go" and the melodic "Dangerous." "And There Will Be A Next Time...Live From Detroit" is available on DVD+2CD, Blu-ray+2CD and via digital video. Information: eagle-rock.com.



Artist: Train
Title: a girl a bottle a boat (Columbia)
You might like if you enjoy: Maroon 5, OneRepublic, Gavin DeGraw
Tell me more: Train's 10th studio album a girl a bottle a boat delivers a dance and pop-minded emphasis on the mix of infectious songwriting and energetic studio craft that has been a hallmark of the San Francisco-based band since the release of their 1998 self-titled debut. Train's new album features 11 solid mostly-upbeat tunes, including the catchy opener "Drink Up," similarly infectious "Play That Song" and winsome ballad "You Better Believe." Information: SaveMeSanFrancisco.com.




Artist: Buzz Cason
Title: Passion (ArenA Recordings)
You might like if you enjoy: Lee Rocker, Michael Ubaldini, Robert Gordon
Tell me more: Legendary singer-songwriter Buzz Cason is back. Best known as the writer of "Everlasting Love" (recorded by a number of artists including U2) and "Soldier of Love" (covered by the Beatles), the 77-year-old singer-songwriter-guitarist is back with a fantastic new album, aptly titled Passion. Cason has absorbed a myriad of influences and experiences that give life to the songs on the disc, with the uplifting title track, the blues rocker "Bread" (an especially lively song thanks to a propulsive beat and blasts of harmonica), power pop-meets-garage rock foray "Walkin'," and playful "Just As Gone" among the many winners here. The disc's final song "We Soldiered On" offers a fitting reflection on youth and following dreams; the song is powerful and free of cliche. Information: buzzcason.com.



Artist: Lawrence Morrill Glass
Title: Neanderthal (independent)
You might like if you enjoy: Lou Reed, Leonard Cohen
Tell me more: There is an honesty and real world slant that enhances each of the 11 songs on Lawrence Morrill Glass' latest album Neanderthal, yet another masterwork out of the burgeoning Austin, Texas original music scene. It is amazing to hear how different each of these songs sound from each other, yet how well Glass' voice and literate talents  weave together the works into a coherent whole. The wry "Tina Fey," melancholy-drenched "No Christmas This Year," "reggae-styled "It Wasn't Love" and traditional country ballad "Believe" cast their spell quickly, and that's a good thing. Information: http://www.lawrencemorrillglass.com.

Robert Kinsler

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