Revered artists Nils Lofgren, The Flashcubes and Lucinda Williams are back with the some of most important albums of their illustrious careers.
Title: Mountains (Cattle Track Road Records)
You might like if you enjoy: Neil Young, David Crosby, Nils Lofgren
Tell me more: While Nils Lofgren is best known for his long-time role as a member of Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band, Neil Young's enduring Crazy Horse as well as his role as one the early members of Ringo Starr's All Starr Band, his exceptional talents as a solo artist shine just as bright across his wonderful new album Mountains. Lofgren's otherworldly skills as singer, songwriter and guitar master are displayed via a far-flung track listing that includes him performing originals amidst blues, rock, soul and Americana soundscapes. Lofgren addresses a troubled world, as well as the magical grasp of love and deep human connections on the decidedly personal album. The cast of musical greats who contribute to Mountains' might is also notable; Ringo Starr provides his singular skills behind the drum kit on the winning opener "Ain't the Truth Enough," while he adds vocals on the transcendent "Angel Blues." The beautiful ballad "Back in Your Arms" is bolstered by wonderful backing vocals from the Howard Gospel Choir; Lofgren's signature vocals are particularly poignant here. The bluesy tribute to the late Rolling Stones drummer Charlie Watts ("Won't Cry No More") is heartfelt and bewitching, Lofgren's voice blending magically with Cindy Mizelle's soprano and his own artful fret work. The countrified ballad "Nothin's Easy (For Amy)" is bolstered by guest Neil Young whose vocals blend powerfully with Lofgren's own. The late David Crosby — who passed away in January 2023 — adds his vocals on the buoyant and genre-defying "I Remember Her Name." Information: nilslofgren.com.
Title: Pop Masters (Big Stir Records)
You might like if you enjoy: Shoes, The Pale Brothers, Big Star, Raspberries, Sparks
Tell me more: Syracuse, New York-based Power Pop Hall Of Fame outfit The Flashcubes are back with the aptly-titled Pop Masters (due Aug. 11 via audio CD and all streaming services courtesy of Big Stir Records). The quartet — whose 1977-1980 lineup is intact and features guitarists Paul Armstrong and Arty Lenin, bassist Gary Frenay and drummer Tommy Allen — released only two singles during their original run ("Christi Girl" and "Wait Til Next Week"). The band reunited in the 1990s and earned a growing following thanks to the release of new recordings and acclaim for their live performances. Fast forward to 2023 and Pop Masters fully rewards power pop lovers with a dozen great cuts; indeed the collection gathers a wide range of singles that have received airplay on the likes of "Little Steven's Underground Garage," WFMU, KXLU, and more. Standouts on Pop Masters include a rousing cover of the Pezband's tuneful rocker "Baby It's Cold Outside" with the song's original writer and singer Mimi Betinis sharing lead vocals, a sophisticated take on Pilot's 1977 track "Get Up And Go," a powerful musical reading of Shoes' "Tomorrow Night," and infectious takes on the Paley Brothers' "Come Out And Play" and Motors' "Forget About You." Late disc highlights include a euphoric take on Dwight Twilley's "Alone In My Room," shimmering version of Posies' "Flavor Of The Month" and an inspired performance of Sparks' "Nothing To Do." Also essential is the version of the Eric Carmen-penned "Get The Message," a glorious track that recalls the best of '60s and '70s garage rock stylings during its rollicking run; Cyrus Erie's Randy Klawon adds guitar to the driving cover. Information: bigstirrecords.com.
Title: Stories From A Rock n Roll Heart (Thirty Tigers)
You might like if you enjoy: Chrissie Hynde, Bruce Springsteen, Michael Ubaldini, Margo Price
Tell me more: Stories from a Rock n Roll Heart marks the first album from acclaimed Americana singer-songwriter Lucinda Williams since she suffered a debilitating stroke in November 2020, a challenging event that greatly impacted her ability to play guitar (her principal tool used to write songs). Williams, 70, is thankfully on the mend and was terrific when I caught her enticing set at the Pure Imagination Festival in Prescott, AZ in May, and her new album Stories from a Rock n Roll Heart certifies her top-tier talents as a songwriter and singer are fully intact. Williams— who produced her 15th studio album along with Tom Overby and Ray Kennedy — co-wrote the material here with Overby, Jesse Malin and Travis Stephens. Additionally, she is joined by a slew of famed artists who provide backing vocals across the 10-track collection. The songs here often chronicle the aftermath of her stroke; just listen to the countrified confessional "Jukebox" where she sings: "These days my world seems so small / I'm a prisoner inside these four walls / Going Crazy with the sound of my own voice / Going crazy if I don't get out of this house." On "New York Comeback" — where her own terrific vocals are bolstered by the backing vocals of Bruce Springsteen and Patti Scialfa — she genuinely conjures up the magic of returning to the stage: "Let me have the final say / One last chance to do it my way / One last shot, one last swing / One final song to sing." Among the other outstanding tracks on the disc are the joyful roots rocker "Let's Get the Band Back Together," the yearning "Last Call for the Truth," rollicking "Rock n Roll Heart," haunting "Hum's Liquor" and lovely "Where the Song Will Find Me," the latter a poignant exploration of the singer's mission to embrace her life's work of writing and recording new music. The album's closer is the defiant "Never Gonna Fade Away," where Williams promises: "I'm not gonna fade away / I'm never gonna fade away" — the song's emotional close is an invitation for discerning listeners to reflect and then hit "repeat" to play Stories from a Rock n Roll Heart again. Information: LucindaWilliams.com.
Robert Kinsler —
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