Album reviews: Michael Ubaldini, Walker Brigade, Sass Jordan, Def Leppard, Ghost Hounds, Florence + The Machine

Amidst the darkness of 2022 comes a long line of marvelous new album releases.

Artist: Michael Ubaldini

Title: Rabbit Foot Carnival (Blackwater Records)

You might like if you enjoy: Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan, The Rolling Stones' "Exhile on Main Street"

Tell me more: Acclaimed singer-songwriter Michael Ubaldini is back with Rabbit Foot Carnival, a bona fide masterwork that finds the acclaimed artist using rich melody-adorned songcraft to ignite his literate observations on life, love, death, faith, the frayed American dream and the uncertain forces that propel each of us toward an uncertain tomorrow. Effortlessly dipping into roots rock, Americana, country blues, folk and gospel across 14 original songs, Ubaldini uses that vast sonic canvas along with his signature songwriting to zero in on these especially troubled times. Early standout cuts on the album include the irresistible rocker "Lazarus Blues" (bolstered by the terrific gospel vocals of Julie Harris), spirited celebration of faith "Free If You Want It," rollicking old school rocker "Rats In Your Attic" and haunting acoustic blues sortie "Roadside Prayer." The magic continues with late disc standouts like the driving Rolling Stones-flavored "Sabre Jet," poignant "General Store," and "Love Up Close," and rollicking blues rocker "Black Diamond Train." Ubaldini will celebrate the release of Rabbit Foot Carnival on the date of its June 3 release with a performance at the NAMM Sheraton Park Stage at 6 p.m. as part of the NAMM Show coming to Anaheim. He will also perform at Cooks Corner, 19152 Santiago Canyon Road, Trabuco Canyon, from noon to 5 p.m. on Saturday, June 4. Information: rocknrollpoet.com.

  

Artist: Walker Brigade

Title: If Only (Big Stir Records)

You might like if you enjoy: Cheap Trick's debut album, Dinosaur Jr., X

Tell me more: Los Angeles-based quartet Walker Brigade's debut album If Only is equal parts hard hitting post-punk and melodic indie rock. The band's winning approach plays out across the outstanding disc, which includes 13 standard tracks along with six bonus cuts. Like groundbreaking Los Angeles band X, Walker Brigade has an effective one-two punch courtesy of the male-female vocals of guitarists Jeff Charreaux and Tracy Walker; their sharp vocals come in service of songs that are catchy and propelled by solid musicianship from the entire band (which also includes drummer Craig Tyrka and bassist Mark Fletcher). Among the highlights on If Only is roaring "Fallout," glam-mining "Tower," genre-defying delight "Judy Holliday," harmonies-anchored lead single "Choker," punk-fueled "Sand In My Joints" and glorious version of Robyn Hitchcock's "I Wanna Destroy You." Information: bigstirrecords.com.  

Artist: Sass Jordan

Title: Bitches Blues (Stony Plain Records)

You might like if you enjoy: Grace Potter, Janis Joplin, Sass Jordan

Tell me more: Following up on her 2020 album Rebel Moon Blues, Canadian songstress Sass Jordan is set to release her latest foray into the enduring genre via the wonderful Bitches Blues. The album puts the celebrated singer's powerful soprano front and center, with her signature vocals enhanced by the work of an amazing cast of players (guitarists Chris Caddell and Jimmy Reid, bassist-harmonica great Steve Mariner, drummer Cassius Pereira, keyboardist-backing vocalist Jesse O'Brien). The album features eight enticing electric blues tracks, including the blistering opener "Still Alive and Well," heartfelt piano-anchored blues ballad "Even," compelling "Still The World Goes Round," Delta-flavored "You Gotta Move," infectious "Ain't No Big Deal On You" and yearning "Change Is Coming."  Bitches Blues will be available June 3 via Stony Plain Records. Information: StonyPlainRecords.com.  

Artist: Def Leppard

Title: Diamond Star Halos (Mercury Records)

You might like if you enjoy: Def Leppard, Queen, T. Rex

Tell me more: Rock and Roll Hall of Fame British rockers Def Leppard have returned with their long-awaited Diamond Star Halos, an album that offers up plenty of new sonic pay dirt while delivering on the distinctive sound (and parade of hits!) forged by the troupe in the 1980s and '90s. Highlights on the 15-track album include the soaring "Take What You Want," reflective "This Guitar" (featuring guest Alison Krauss sharing vocals with lead singer Joe Elliot), the sing-along "Fire It Up" (bolstered by Phil Collen's dazzling guitar work throughout), mellifluous "Liquid Dust," lovely Baroque power ballad "Goodbye For Good This Time" and introspective rocker "Open Your Eyes." A limited edition version of Def Leppard's 12th studio album — not reviewed here and available as an import — features 17 tracks. Information: DefLeppard.com.  

Artist: Ghost Hounds

Title: You Broke Me (Maple House Records)

You might like if you enjoy: Buddy Guy, Dennis Jones Band, Vintage Trouble, 

Tell me more: Fans of both Chicago and Southern blues will find plenty to love about Pittsburgh troupe Ghost Hounds. I was fully impressed when I caught the band open for The Rolling Stones in Austin last year, and the sextet fully delivers on the energy they displayed in concert via their new album You Broke Me. Lead singer Tre Nation's potent lead vocals are the central attraction, but the contributions of the rest of the band shine bright across the wonderful nine-track disc; guitarist Johnny Baab, guitarist Thomas Tull, bassist Bennett Miller, drummer Blaise Lanzetta and keyboardist Joe Monroe add magic on every track. The mighty blues cut "Through Being Blue Over You," smoking title track, infectious blues rocker "Baby We're Through" and blistering version of Howlin' Wolf's 1956 classic "Smokestack Lightning" are among the highlights on You Broke Me. Information: GhostHounds.com.  

Artist: Florence + The Machine

Title: Dance Fever (Republic Records)

You might like if you enjoy: Kate Bush, Florence + The Machine, Japanese Breakfast

Tell me more: Florence + The Machine's new album Dance Fever marks the first release by British songstress Florence Welch and company since 2018. The ambitious album fully delivers on the artist's far-flung themes and musical powers across its wonderful 14-track run. Written and produced across the span of two COVID-related lockdowns, work on the disc was completed in London and New York with producers Jack Antonoff and Dave Hayley (of Glass Animals fame). The majestic opener "King" (bolstered by all manner of sonic shifts), propulsive electronica-tinged "Free," soulful "Dream Girl Evil," anthemic "Cassandra," driving "Daffodil," acoustic "The Bomb" and intoxicating "My Love" are among the many standouts on the terrific return. Welch is a singer armed with a soprano that is both powerful and expressive, and the track listing across Dance Fever is the perfect expression of those marvelous gifts. Florence + The Machine are set to embark on a North American tour on Sept. 2, 2022, including two dates at The Hollywood Bowl on Oct. 14 and Oct. 15. Information: florenceandthemachine.net.

Robert Kinsler

Music for Our Times: Michael Ubaldini, Action Skulls, Dom Flemons, Moby

As the COVID-19 outbreak continues to challenge the health and economic stability of millions across the planet, stellar recordings from four American artists offer a welcome respite from the global turmoil even as their depth captures the spirit of the times.

Artist: Michael Ubaldini
Title: Music Notes From The Underground (Blackwater Records)
You might like if you enjoy: Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan, John Prine, Woody Guthrie
Tell me more: Singer-songwriter Michael Ubaldini is a true American treasure, having issued a long and acclaimed discography exploring a myriad of corners of the roots music universe including rockabilly, blues, folk, rock 'n' roll and Americana bound together by sophisticated songcraft. On the rock 'n' roll poet's latest LP Music Notes From The Underground, Ubaldini continues his life-long quest to share tales from the far-flung world around him via his rich and beguiling signature approach. We live in tumultuous times so it's no surprise that Ubaldini has more than a bit to say about the world at large even when armed with nothing more than his rich baritone vocals and acoustic guitar. On the well-aimed acoustic cut "Labels," he looks at the popular pastime of using bumpersticker tags to identify people: "Culture warrior, a redneck or a hick / a red or blue state, eccentric or sick / Put you in a space, easy to classify / From the time your born, until after you die." On "King Of The Paupers," he targets a pampered and angry know-it-all who is "one of the haves / and not one of the have nots." Followers of Ubaldini know he is far more than a one-trick troubadour. The tender "Blue Eyes Down On You" is a beautiful folk ballad, adorned by Ubaldini's outstanding and expressive harmonica work. The beautiful "Bells Of Harmony" is hopeful while "New Winds of Change" takes a more realistic look at a sky filled with dark clouds on the horizon  "I Aint Ta' Returnin' Home" is a poetic and lushly-rendered confessional of farewell wrapped in a simple and elegant song. "Little Mama Everything's Alright" is a warm and reassuring dispatch of calm to close things out on another terrific album from the artist.  Information: rocknrollpoet.com.

Artist: Action Skulls
Title: A Different World (Action Skulls Music)
You might like if you enjoy: Gram Parsons & Emmylou Harris, the Cowsills, America
Tell me more: Action Skulls' sophomore album A Different World is a resounding, perfectly-crafted response to the coronavirus pandemic. Armed with their winning vocal harmonies, obvious sonic chemistry, impressive musicianship and terrific songs, Vicki Peterson (the Bangles, the Continental Drifters), her husband John Cowsill (the Cowsills, a long-time member of Mike Love's Beach Boys touring band) and Bill Mumy (co-founder of the duo Barnes & Barnes, and a celebrated actor known for his memorable roles on "Lost In Space" and "Twilight Zone") wrote and recorded the Americana-flavored disc in the immediate aftermath of the COVID-19 outbreak. In a recent video interview, Mumy noted that he was very inspired to write about how Americans have reacted to the crisis, penning specific songs from different character points of view — amazingly he wrote 12 songs over a 14-day span. The songs stir with listeners sure to relate to numbers created in the early days of the new world we now all share. The baroque pop title track is bolstered by the refrain "Woke Up This Morning in a Different World," a line that is offered at first intimately and later via intoxicating Beach Boys-flavored vocal counterpoint. The album's first countrified single, "Social Distancing Blues," takes a calm and relaxed look at the state of the world when the pandemic arrived. Other songs provide a wry escape; the old-time bluegrass strains of "When I See You Again" and "I've Had Me Gin" along with the aptly-pegged "The Stay at Home Blues" artfully explore the challenges of sheltering in place in 2020. More poignant in tone are the wistful "Until Now," the lovely piano-anchored "You Heal My Soul," haunting "Cured by Love" and evocative "We've Got a Baby in Our House." The instrumental solo piano piece "Quarantined" is simply exquisite. Information: Facebook.com/actionskulls.

Artist: Dom Flemons
Title: Prospect Hill: The American Songster Omnibus (Omnivore Recordings)
You might like if you enjoy: Carolina Chocolate Drops, James "Boot" Hanks, North Carolina Ramblers
Tell me more: There is a jubilant spirit that races across the expanded reissue of Dom Flemons' 2014 album Prospect Hill. Now titled Prospect Hill: The American Songster Omnibus, the expanded reissue of Flemons' third solo album comes bundled along with his previously-issued 2015 vinyl EP (What Got Over) and 12 bonus tracks. Flemons — a Grammy winner and two-time Emmy nominee — rose to fame as co-founder of Carolina Chocolate Drops. A talented multi-instrumentalist (banjo, fife, guitar, harmonica, jug and more!) who has a profound connection with early roots folk, bluegrass, country, jazz and other styles, this collection is a true celebration. The buoyant New Orleans-flavored "'Til the Seas Run Dry," an inviting take on Frank Loesser's 1934 country classic "Have I Stayed Away Too Long?", his original acoustic folk ballad "Too Long (I've Been Gone)," the fife and drum-driven cut "Grotto Beat" and playful "My Money Runs Out" are among my favorite selections on disc one. The second disc features a collection of original and traditional songs that showcase Flemons' genuine "love of ethnographic recordings from the Library of Congress." The driving "Milwaukee Blues," searing Chicago blues-styled "Clock on the Wall," North Carolina Piedmont blues romp "Keep On Truckin'," the original "What Got Over" and an alternate version of the aforementioned "Have I Stayed Away Too Long?" are among the fantastic gems here. The collection includes insightful and detailed liner notes from Flemons and his wife, Vania Kinard, enhanced by photography from Timothy Duffy showcased in a 16-page booklet. Flemons' Prospect Hill: The American Songster Omnibus is available as a 2CD or digital release. Information: OmnivoreRecordings.com.

Artist: Moby
Title: All Visible Objects (Mute)
You might like if you enjoy: Moby, Color Theory, Roxy Music, EOB
Tell me more: Groundbreaking musician-producer Moby's latest album All Visible Objects is primarily an electronica affair but is bolstered by weighty soundscapes and emotional terrain that defies a majority of the genre's proponents. The pulsating "Morningside" and celestial "Too Much Change" are lifted by soprano Apollo Jane's powerful punch. A stirring take on Roxy Music's "My Only Love" is luxurious and enhanced by Mindy Jones' hypnotic vocals and Moby's layered keyboards. The dreamy instrumental "Separation" further expands Moby's reach on the disc. Even a focus on spoken word ("Refuge") is intoxicating via Moby's mesmerizing creativity and sublime studio production. Dance-focused tracks explode as they should ("Power Is Taken," "Forever," "One Last Time") and celebrate the New York native's bona fide legacy as one of the champions who brought dance music into the mainstream in the 1990s. All of Moby's profits from "All Visible Objects" will be donated to charity, including wildlife and conservation groups as well as human rights organizations. Information: Moby.com. 


Robert Kinsler