Title: Akustrika / Akustrika II (Primary Purpose / Red Cherry Red Records)
You might like if you enjoy: ASIA, U.K., King Crimson
Tell me more: Fans of John Wetton continue to mourn the legendary rocker who died on Jan. 31, 2017 following a long battle fighting cancer. Now the lead singer/bassist of ASIA, U.K. and King Crimson (1972-1974) is featured on a fantastic 2CD set celebrating his legacy. Akustrika: Live in Amerika (featuring tracks recorded in October 1995) and Akustrika II: Return to Amerika (featuring a concert taped on Nov. 11, 2005) really highlight Wetton's gifts as one of rock's most emotive voices. The inspired "Voice of America," "Hold Me Now" (with Wetton's voice soaring) and a remarkable version of the ASIA classic "Only Time Will Tell" and a stirring "Battle Lines" are among this writer's favorites on the first disc, while the intimate "Walking on Air," driving "Sole Survivor" and a dramatic retelling of ASIA's hit "Heat of the Moment" are among the many standouts on the second disc. Accompanied by only his acoustic guitar or piano, the tracks on the release were selected for this collection by Wetton before his passing; Akustrika / Akustrika II is a powerful tribute to Wetton's enduring legacy. Information: JohnWetton.com.
Title: Live From Austin TX (New West Records)
You might like if you enjoy: Eric Johnson, Joe Bonamassa, Jimi Hendrix
Tell me more: Widely (and rightly) ranked as one of the best and most creative rock guitarists of all time, Eric Johnson has released a number of memorable albums since his critically-acclaimed 1990 album Ah Via Musicom. But the new Live From Austin TX" Johnson title serves as a monumental reminder how great and groundbreaking Johnson has been all along. Recorded and filmed in December 1988 and originally aired in 1989, the newly-issued CD/DVD combo release is truly thrilling from start to finish. Just listen to Johnson race through the countrified instrumental "Steve's Boogie" or artfully weave dynamic guitar textures amidst the arching and ambitious "Trail Of Tears." Johnson performs plenty of his original gems (including "Cliffs of Dover," which won Johnson a 1991 Grammy Award for Best Rock Instrumental Performance, and the jazz instrumental "East Wes"), as well as versions of two Jimi Hendrix classics ("Love Or Confusion," "Are You Experienced?"). Information: NewWestRecords.com.
Artist: Guided By Voices
Title: Live From Austin TX (New West Records)
You might like if you enjoy: Sonic Youth, Guided By Voices
Tell me more: Near the end of Guided By Voices' initial 21-year run in 2004, the Dayton, Ohio-spawned outfit performed as part of an episode of "Music City Limits." The Robert Pollard-led troupe performed more than 30 songs over the course of 97 minutes before an intimate and enthusiastic audience. While many of the songs played at the session were never shown on the original broadcast of the episode, all are showcased on two audio CDs and an accompanying DVD on the Live From Austin TX combo release. The lo-fi music heroes turn in a loose and customarily-freewheeling performance, including grating art damage cuts ("Let's Get Down To Business"), jangly melodic rock ("Girls Of Wild Strawberries," "Gold Star For Robot Boy"), progressive alt rock ("Redmen And Their Wives") and rapid fire guitar-driven lo-fi cuts ("Exit Flagger"). Information: NewWestRecords.com.
Title: Wild Wild Love (Daniel 13)
You might like if you enjoy: Lee Rocker, Tiger Army, the Blasters, Michael Ubaldini
Tell me more: The Stray Cats and the Blasters were not the only artists to tap into 1950s as part of the bona fide rockabilly revival of the 1980s. A number of other great artists such as the Kingbees also mined new creative pay dirt out of the past with phenomenal results. Add to that distinguished list Flat Duo Jets, a group formed by singer-guitarist Dexter Romweber and drummer Chris "Crow" Smith in Chapel Hill, North Carolina in 1984. The new retrospective Wild Wild Love compiles Flat Duo Jets' exhilarating self-titled debut and a number of outtakes, as well as the (In Stereo) EP the duo released on cassette in 1984. It's simply impossible not to get swept up as the Flat Duo Jets roar through spirited rockers such as "My Life, My Love," "When My Baby Passes By" and "Tribute to Gene." The Flat Duo Jets' joyful version of Fats Domino's "Strut My Stuff" also doubles as a tribute to the recently-lost New Orleans legend. On the second disc outtakes abound, including the buoyant instrumentals "Minor Swing" and "Penetration 1," the Jerry Lee Lewis-styled "You Made Me Cry - 01" and bluesy "Look Down 2." Information: Daniel13.com.
Title: Kits & Cats and Saxon Wives (Futureman Records)
You might like if you enjoy: Fountains of Wayne, The Beatles, The Zombies
Tell me more: This writer only recently discovered the tuneful and infectious songs of Michigan pop trio the Hangabouts. The group's latest album Kits & Cats and Saxon Wives is bolstered by top-notch songwriting, great harmony vocals, a nod to the troupe's '60s and '70s heroes and a winning spirit that comes across throughout the 13-track disc. There is baroque pop (the Mellotron-adorned "Sinking Feeling" and lovely "Twelve Songs"), psychedelic rock ("Cricket Time," "Selling Out"), soaring power pop (the intoxicating "Evelyn Wood" and decidedly wistful "Taking You to Leave Me"), an Everly Brothers-meets-Crowded House nugget ("Follow the Sunshine") and gorgeous acoustic ballads ("Too Hot to Sleep," "Sensation Overnight") — all of it adding up to a terrific album. Information: Hangabouts.com.
Title: Diamond Hands (Kool Kat Musik)
You might like if you enjoy: The Beatles, Big Star, Badfinger
Tell me more: Los Angeles-based Diamond Hands' self-titled album (released in 2016 on vinyl and cassette, but only recently on audio CD) offers a batch of terrific songs written and recorded by Jon Flynn and Joel Wall. There are sonic ghosts of some of rock's greatest melodic voices here (just listen to the Beatlesque "Not the Same" and "Just Another Day"), but there is also a contemporary urgency to the material that confirms this is no mere exercise in nostalgia. The rollicking "Nothing Left to Lose," Big Star-worthy "See You Again" and defiant alt rocker "Old Man" elevate "Diamond Hands" for listeners who like a not only power pop but other melodic-minded rock styles too. Information: KoolKatMusik.com.
Robert Kinsler
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