New Music: Badfinger, Blue Öyster Cult, Ringo Starr

Essential new titles featuring power pop legends Badfinger, genre-defying rockers Blue Öyster Cult and beloved singer-drummer Ringo Starr are reviewed this week.

Artist: Badfinger
Title: Head First (Y&T Music)
You might like if you enjoy: Badfinger, The Beatles
Tell me more: Rock's most tragic tale likely involves power pop pioneers Badfinger, a British troupe that scored a handful of enduring singles ("Come and Get It," "No Matter What," "Day After Day," "Baby Blue") before financial and personal struggles led to the suicide death of 27-year-old leader Pete Ham in 1975. But now the band's shining legacy returns via the release of their long-lost album Head First 50 years after the disc's original recording in 1974; the new collection features Ham's final studio recordings and is definitely a welcome addition to Badfinger's stellar discography. For years, the master tapes for the Head First sessions were believed to have been lost. However, the recent rediscovery of the original multi-track tapes allowed for the mixing and mastering process of the tracks 50 years after they were recorded in the Apple Recording Studio on Savile Row in London. The parade of soaring originals on Head First includes the melodic opener "Lay Me Down," biting "Hey Mr. Manager," glorious harmonies-drenched "Turn Around," acoustic "Back Again," lovely "Keep Believing," Beatlesque "Moonshine," and ambitious rock opus "Passed Fast." Information: badfingerlibrary.com.

Artist: Blue Öyster Cult

Title: 50th Anniversary Live — Third Night (Frontiers Music s.r.l.)

You might like if you enjoy: Blue Öyster Cult, classic rock

Tell me more: In September 2022, classic rock greats Blue Öyster Cult thrilled fans with a once-in-a-lifetime trilogy of sold-out concerts, each dedicated to one of the beloved genre-defying band's first three albums. Founding member Albert Bouchard (drums, vocals) joined the original core duo of Donald "Buck Dharma" Roeser (lead vocals, lead guitar) and Eric Bloom (lead vocals, rhythm guitar) along with Richie Castellano (guitar, keyboards, vocals), Danny Miranda (bass) and Jules Radino (drums, percussion) at each of the special performances. Now the third night of the concert series has been released courtesy of Frontiers Music; 50th Anniversary Live — Third Night is available on audio CD and vinyl as well as via DVD and Blu-ray. The concert recording is outstanding, with the early part of the set presenting the 1974 album Secret Treaties in its entirety. Standouts from that album's performance include the rocking opener "Career Of Evil" (whose lyrics were penned by punk rock poet Patti Smith), the jazz-meets-prog rock gem "Subhuman," hard charging rocker "Dominance and Submission," and an extended version of the dazzling "Flaming Telepaths." The marathon-length show also provides BÖC time to perform stellar takes of long-time favorites "Burnin' For You," "Godzilla," "(Don't Fear) The Reaper" and the set-closing "Cities On Flame With Rock And Roll." Among the most spellbinding tracks on the live set is "I Love The Night," an atmospheric rock ballad featuring Roeser's signature lead guitar work and top-tier vocals. Information: http://www.blueoystercult.com/.

Artist: Ringo Starr

Title: Look Up (Lost Highway)

You might like if you enjoy: Ringo Starr, T Bone Burnett, Buck Owens

Tell me more: Ringo Starr is back with one of his most delightful solo efforts, the country music-focused Look Up. Produced and co-written by T Bone Burnett, the album features a rich mix of tracks ranging from the infectious opener "Breathless" (featuring guitarist Billy Strings) and the buoyant title track anchored by Starr's emotive lead vocals to the sorrowful "Time On My Hands" and rockabilly mining "Never Let Me Go." Other standouts include the beautiful ballad "I Live For Your Love" (the latter bolstered by Molly Tuttle's vocal harmonies and mandolin playing), country rocker "Rosetta" (featuring Tuttle and the Southern blues duo Larkin Poe), shimmering "String Theory" and reflective self-penned "Thankful" (the latter featuring Alison Krauss' harmony vocals and Paul Franklin's pedal steel guitar). Recorded in Nashville and Los Angeles in 2024, the 11-track disc marks a welcome return by one of rock music's most iconic names. Information: ringostarr.com.

Robert Kinsler

New music: Bahamas, Joey Molland, Travis, Blue Öyster Cult

Early October is being met with the arrival of a slew of fantastic new album releases.

Artist: Bahamas

Title: Sad Hunk (Brushfire Records)

You might like if you enjoy: Bahamas, Dave Matthews, Donavon Frankenreiter

Tell me more: Bahamas (the moniker for Toronto, Canada-based singer-songwriter/self-taught guitar master Afie Jurvanen) has returned with "Sad Hunk," his first full-length album since 2018's Earthtones. The good news for fans of the artist is that his winning streak of delivering nuanced and intimate originals blending pop, rock, R&B, soul, folk and even Caribbean styles continues to be fully on display across the 10-track LP. The nimble "Trick To Happy" is a breezy and confessional ride where the artist wonders if there is "Is there a trick to being happy" as he admits "life is moving past me." The beautiful acoustic ballad "Half Your Love" showcases his expressive baritone vocals while simultaneously examining how to mine the deepest reaches of romantic bliss. Other standouts on the new LP include the driving "Own Alone" (bolstered by some flashy guitar licks), the playful blues-tinged "Done Did Me No Good," acoustic surf rocker "Up With The Jones," true genre mash-up "Wisdom Of The World" and self-deprecating "Not Cool Anymore." The witty and literate songs that fill the disc are delivered with authenticity and artful arrangements, each adorned with inviting and skilled guitar work. Information: BahamasMusic.net.

Artist: Joey Molland

Title: Be True To Yourself (Omnivore Recordings)

You might like if you enjoy: Badfinger, the Beatles

Tell me more: Classic rock aficionados often cite the story of Welsh/English rock band Badfinger as one of the era's most tragic tales. Despite being the first non-Beatles artist signed to Apple Records and scoring a number of timeless hits (including "Come and Get It," "No Matter What," "Day After Day," and "Baby Blue"), the band was struck with the suicide of several members (Pete Ham in 1975, Tom Evans in 1983) and sudden death of Mike Gibbins following a brain aneurysm in 2005. Singer-guitarist Joey Molland – the band's only surviving member of the quartet's classic early '70s lineup – is set to release his first album of new material (Be True To Yourself) in nearly 10 years on Friday, Oct. 16. And what a glorious collection of power pop it is. Lovingly produced by Mark Hudson (who also co-wrote the tracks with Molland), Be True To Yourself explodes with tunefulness, exceptional song craft and undeniable hooks associated with Badfinger's best recordings. The shimmering "Better Tomorrow," Beatlesque "Rainy Day Man," dreamy "Heaven," melodic power pop ballad "Loving You" and chamber pop foray "Be True To Yourself" only begin to paint a sonic picture of the magic displayed across "Be True To Yourself." Among the notable names contributing to the recording are Julian Lennon (who also took the amazing front and back cover photographs seen on the album), Micky Dolenz, Jason Scheff and Steve Holley. Information: OmnivoreRecordings.com.

Artist: Travis

Title: 10 Songs (Red Telephone Box)

You might like if you enjoy: Travis, Blur, early Coldplay

Tell me more: Travis is back with one of the best albums of their 30-year history, the stunning 10 Songs. Co-produced by lead singer Fran Healy and Robin Baynton (Coldplay, Florence & The Machine), 10 Songs marks both a dramatic step forward and a decidedly deep connection with the Glasgow, Scotland-based band's rich past. The group's Post-Britpop sound is there to be sure, but there is a mature tone across the disc that finds Healy tackling life with an especially perceptive and sensitive touch. The album is filled with songs that look at love and its mysterious reach, all delivered sans cliche. The gorgeous opener "Waving At The Window," touching "The Only Thing" (featuring guest vocalist Susanna Hoffs), yearning "Nina's Song" and sparse piano-anchored "No Love Lost" are poignant reminders of how special Travis remains. In addition to Healy, Travis' all-original lineup includes lead guitarist Andy Dunlop, bassist Dougie Payne and drummer Neil Primrose, all of whom whose refined musicianship adds welcome layers to 10 Songs. Information: TravisOnline.com.

Artist: Blue Öyster Cult

Title: The Symbol Remains (Frontiers Music s.r.l.)

You might like if you enjoy: Blue Öyster Cult, classic rock

Tell me more: Before the release of Blue Öyster Cult's outstanding new release The Symbol Remains, it had been nearly two decades since the classic rock quintet had last issued a new studio album (2001's Curse of the Hidden Mirror). The great news is The Symbol Remains was well worth the wait, an epic return where the American rockers prove they have plenty to say musically and lyrically. Rich harmonies, in-the-pocket riffs, prog-rock virtuosity and an obvious chemistry among the players add up to 14 tracks that hit their mark. Indeed, dueling guitar leads between Donald "Buck Dharma" Roeser and Richie Castellano on "Nightmare Epiphany" recall the thrilling firepower the two greats display at any BÖC concert.  The band's long-recognized wide-ranging signature approach to creating songs that tap into a mix of rock styles plays out here; the razor sharp rockers "That Was Me" and "Box In My Head," dark goth-tinged "Edge of the World," infectious riff rocker "The Machine" (enhanced by a super melodic chorus), blues rocker "Train True (Lennie's Song)," driving "The Return of St. Cecilia," and colorful tale "Florida Man" are among the killer cuts on The Symbol Remains. In addition to the aforementioned Roeser and Castellano, BÖC's long-time lineup features singer-guitarist Eric Bloom, bassist Danny Miranda and drummer Jules Radino. Information: Blueoystercult.com/.

Robert Kinsler