A terrific concept album from modern rock greats The Waterboys, an essential reissue from Finnish power pop heroes The Bablers and a soulful return from Johnny Rawls are among the great audio title releases of early 2025.
Title: Life, Death and Dennis Hopper (Sun Records)
You might like if you enjoy: The Waterboys, Steve Earle, Bruce Springsteen, Fiona Apple
Tell me more: The life and legend of legendary actor/photographer/filmmaker Dennis Hopper is revisited and masterfully brought to life via the Waterboys' ambitious new album Life, Death and Dennis Hopper. Waterboys band leader Mike Scott chronicles the life and mythos of the late Hollywood icon (Hopper died at age 74 in 2010) via a 25-track masterwork that proves to be one of the Waterboys' greatest-ever albums. While each of the tracks on Life, Death and Dennis Hopper stand on their own as great songs, the album is best listened to in chronological order and in its entirety. Things kick off with the acoustic Americana cut "Kansas," featuring guest lead vocals from singer Steve Earle (who co-wrote the nugget with Scott). Subsequent songs continue to highlight key events in Hopper's life and career; highlights include the jazzy "Hollywood '55" recalling Hopper being cast in "Rebel Without A Cause" and his introduction to actress Natalie Wood; "Live In The Moment, Baby" is a punk rock cut that finds Hopper recalling advice given to him by "Rebel Without a Cause" and "Giant" co-star James Dean; Hopper's fascination with photography is highlighted in the shimmering retro rocker "The Tourist" (the latter featuring backing vocals courtesy of Sugarfoot). Moving along Scott touches on the movie "Easy Rider" in the lush "Blues For Terry Southern" and lilting "Riding Down To Mardi Gras," the lovely instrumental "Daria," the stark "Letter From An Unknown Girlfriend" featuring affecting lead vocals and piano from Fiona Apple, Hopper's successful battle against addiction in the poignant "I Don't Know How I Made It," and spoken word-anchored rocker "Aftermath" reflecting on Hopper's life immediately after his passing. Each selection on Life, Death and Dennis Hopper propels and enhances the concept album. Information: sunrecords.com.
Title: Like The First Time (Big Stir Records)
You might like if you enjoy: Del Amitri, Fountains Of Wayne, Teenage Fanclub, The Beatles
Tell me more: It's hard to imagine anything easier than listening to the fantastic new collection from Finnish power pop veterans The Bablers. Big Stir Records has just reissued Like The First Time — long out of print and previously only available in Japan and Finland — a 14-track disc that plays like a greatest hits-filled album with one terrific original after another. Now newly re-sequenced and featuring new mixes and arrangements, the mid-career Bablers collection kicks off with the melodic opener "You Are The One For Me" (a track recently selected by Stevie Van Zandt as "The Coolest Song in the World This Week" on SiriusXM's Underground Garage); other early standouts include the jangly power pop gem "One Of Those Dreams," reflective "Sometimes," rousing Britpop-flavored rocker "Thinking Of You," and alluring "Holding Me Tight Tonight." The last half of Like The First Time continues to yield sonic gold for discerning listeners thanks to great songs like the exuberant "That Little Something," probing "In This World," carefree melodic sortie "Here I Come," Beatlesque title track and beautiful brand new cut "Where The Wind Blows Free." Information: bigstirrecords.com.
Title: Make Them Dance (Catfood Records)
You might like if you enjoy: Huey Lewis and the News, John Németh
Tell me more: Acclaimed award-winning blues singer Johnny Rawls is back with the aptly-titled Make Them Dance. The 10-track disc is not only a great album of new recordings, it also stands as the final project completed by legendary Grammy-winning producer and studio engineer Jim Gaines (Huey Lewis and the News, Santana, Walter Trout, Steve Miller Band) at his Bessie Blue Studio in Stantonville, Tennessee. Make Them Dance has winning tracks that will definitely get music lovers' feet moving even while there are others that showcase Rawls' soulful vocals via blues ballads (just listen to "Dreams of You," "Give It To Me" and "Rip Off The Bandage"). Uptempo delights on the disc include the opener "So Cold," the sleek "Make Them Dance," R&B-mining "Costs Too Much" and "The Long Road." Information: catfoodrecords.com.
Title: My One and Only (Mesa/Blue Moon Recordings)
You might like if you enjoy: Dan Fogelberg, Stephen Bishop
Tell me more: Singer-songwriter Nathan McEuen's new EP My One and Only features five songs that conjure up the magic of '70s soft rock heroes such including Dan Fogelberg and Stephen Bishop. The EP is anchored by the title track, a beautiful love song McEuen penned as a tribute to his wife Tracy; the track features McEuen's strong lead vocals positioned against his own guitar playing and piano provided by Chris Caswell. The bluesy "Sticks & Stones" is undeniably melodic and the soundscape is enhanced by the work of Jesse Siebenberg (who plays a number of instruments on the track including bass, drums and slide guitar). The lovely Caribbean-flavored "Beautiful Night" showcases the range of McEuen's range as a singer and songwriter, this original bolstered by an elevated chorus and tapestry of mandolin and a string section. Information: mesabluemoon.com.
Robert Kinsler
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