New releases from Robby Krieger and The Soul Savages, The Incurables and Popdudes are worth adding to your music library.
Title: The Players Club (Mascot Label Group)
You might like if you enjoy: Wes Montgomery, The Doors, Craig Chaquico
Tell me more: Leave it to founding Doors guitarist-songwriter Robby Krieger to continue to explore new corners of the musical universe with a masterful touch. The Robby Krieger and The Soul Savages' wonderful debut The Players Club was recorded at Krieger's own Love Street Studios in Glendale, California, with the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer joining forces with a bunch of good friends to track the disc. The album opens with "Shark Skin Suit," a decidedly funky track where Krieger's freewheeling slide guitar work fuses a winning mix of jazz, blues and even sitar-mining stylings that enhance the bewitching foray. Instrumental music lovers will love the diverse and far-flung influences that are artfully blended across the disc. Standouts include the psychedelic-flavored "Samosas & Kingfishers," the grooving funk sortie "Day In L.A.," adventurous jazz track "Killzon," the bouncy jazz cut "Ricochet Rabbit" (the latter featuring Krieger playing impressive octave jazz lines inspired by the late Wes Montgomery), and the ambitious genre-mashing closer "Math Problem." Among the top-tier musicians who perform on the album are bassist Kevin "Brandon" Brandon, keyboardist Ed Roth, and drummer Franklin Vanderbilt. A must hear album for fans of The Doors and Krieger's virtuoso guitar playing, The Players Club will be released on Jan. 19. Information: robbykrieger.com.
Title: Inside Out & Backwards (Big Stir Records)
You might like if you enjoy: The Ramones, The Romantics
Tell me more: The Incurables' new album Inside Out & Backwards (set for release Jan. 19 courtesy of Big Stir Records) celebrates the Detroit-based garage-pop-punk rock quartet with a set of 10 irresistible rockers that delight on first listen. "When I Grow Up," the sweeping "Far Away" and heavy "Someday" explode out of the gate, showcasing the outfit's dynamic songwriting, rousing approach and solid chops. "Soda Pop" is an all out infectious and fun track. More nuanced, "Man Of Few Words" showcases a dynamic drums and bass-powered rhythm, layered guitars and evocative vocals. "When You" is a driving power pop original bolstered by strong '60s-minded lead vocals and harmonies positioned amidst exuberant instrumentation. The Incurables revisit old school punk on the aptly-pegged "Go Away." The album closes with the wonderful "I Told Myself (Absolutely Nothing)," which is a perfect fusion of melodic rock and punk stylings that morphs into a wonderful detour for a surprising a cappella finale. Information: bigstirrecords.com.
Title: The Denny Laine EP (Record label)
You might like if you enjoy: Denny Laine, Wings, Badfinger, Popdudes
Tell me more: Despite being a co-founding member of both the Moody Blues and Paul McCartney's Wings, English singer-songwriter/multi-instrumentalist Denny Laine had a 60-year career that often flew under the radar. In the wake of his tragic death from a rare form of lung disease on Dec. 5, 2023, Southern California-based power pop heroes Popdudes recorded the aptly-titled tribute The Denny Laine EP available now that goes a long way to shine a welcome light on Laine's legacy. The five-track EP is a marvelous celebration of Laine's craft, as well as the terrific talents of Popdudes (drummer John Borack and singer/multi-instrumentalist Michael Simmons), with the selections focusing on Laine's time with Wings (1971 to 1981). The range of material on the EP is truly a delight with several guests' notable contributions elevating the collection. Things kick off with the reflective "No Words," showcasing Simmons' wonderful vocals and Borack's nuanced drumming. "Spirits of Ancient Egypt" captures the otherworldly melodic flourish of the 1975 original version, with Stephen Alva providing lead vocals on the Popdudes' take. The lovely McCartney-penned "The Note You Never Wrote" captures the exuberance of the version included on Wings at the Speed of Sound that featured Laine on lead vocals; Addison Love contributes flashy guitar work on the cut. The bouncy "Again and Again and Again" finds Love on lead vocals, with the version fully capturing the melodic and lyrical strengths of the 1979 classic featured on Wings' final studio album. The soaring "Time to Hide" — a song Laine wrote and often sang in concert with Wings — is bolstered by explosive choruses and Alva's harmonica work wrapped in a truly marvelous arrangement. Information: https://michaelsimmons.bandcamp.com/album/the-denny-laine-ep.
Robert Kinsler
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