New music: The Jayhawks, Weezer, Brandon Flowers, Night Ranger

In this column, I celebrate the latest full-length audio releases from The Jayhawks, Weezer, Brandon Flowers and Night Ranger; all of the titles are available now.

Artist: The Jayhawks

Title: Sanctuary Park (SHAM)
You might like if you enjoy: Wilco, The Jayhawks, Glen Campbell
Tell me more: Four decades into their stellar career, The Jayhawks continue to champion and celebrate Americana music with a masterful touch (the band's self-titled debut, dubbed by fans as The Bunkhouse Album, was released in 1986). On their outstanding 11-track album Sanctuary Park the Minnesota-based quartet continues its winning run with a batch of originals collectively bolstered by artful songcraft, sharp production, stellar musicianship, and shining lead and harmony vocals. The parade of compelling tracks on the Bob Ezrin-produced album include the political-minded "American Midnight," deeply affecting acoustic-flavored "Mr. Lincoln," sweeping gospel-meets-folk foray "Leap Of Faith," bewitching country rocker "Kingston Girl," magical "It'll Be All Right Tonight" and exuberant "Keeping Our Heads Above Water." The Jayhawks (guitarist-singer Gary Louris, bassist-singer Marc Perlman, keyboardist-singer Karen Grotberg, drummer-singer Tim O'Reagan) will perform at the Belly Up Tavern in Solana Beach, CA at 7:15 p.m. on Dec. 11, 2026. Information: jayhawksofficial.com.

Artist: Weezer

Title: Weezer (also known as the Gold Album) (Reprise Records)
You might like if you enjoy: Weezer, The Smithereens, Lit
Tell me more: Celebrated modern rock quartet Weezer is back with the outstanding 10-track Weezer (also known as the Gold Album), the band's first new full-length studio album since 2021's Van Weezer. Weezer's 20th studio album is a true triumph, celebrating the collaborative spirit of singer-guitarist Rivers Cuomo, drummer-guitarist-vocalist Patrick Wilson, guitarist-vocalist Brian Bell and bassist-vocalist Scott Shriner working together. Produced by Klas Åhlund and Kenneth Blume, Weezer entices with each and every listen. Early highlights on the LP include the exuberant aptly-titled "Say Yes," immersive alt rockers "Shine Again" and "Don't Make It Weird," soaring "We Might As Well Be Strangers" and satirical "C.E.O." The momentum of the album never falters courtesy of the playfully funny "Hoops," genre-blending "Nowhere," intoxicating rocker "The Show Must Go On," introspective "Up In The Clouds" and dreamy album closer "The LA Sound." 

Weezer is on tour with two great openers (The Shins and Silvers Pickups); upcoming dates include concerts in Phoenix, AZ on Oct. 20, San Diego, CA on Oct. 21 and Los Angeles, CA on Oct. 24. Information: weezer.com.

Artist: Brandon Flowers

Title: Thrasher (Island Records)
You might like if you enjoy: The Killers, Bruce Springsteen, David Serby
Tell me more: Singer-songwriter Brandon Flowers has released Thrasher, his first solo album in more than a decade. Best known as the talented lead singer of The Killers, Flowers showcases his formidable skills mining traditional country and roots styles across the 10-track album. The LP was recorded in Nashville at the legendary RCA Studio A with producers Shawn Everett and Jonathan Rado, and features a number of celebrated guests including Gillian Welch collaborator David Rawlings (guitar), pedal steel player Bruce Bouton and harmonica player Charlie McCoy (the latter whose playing graces all four of Bob Dylan's beloved Nashville records). There is an otherworldly depth exhibited in the songwriting across the disc, including the probing opener "Does It Ever Cross Your Mind?" that features a memorable chorus: Of all the corners of the universe / We would up hand in hand / Picking up the slack in each other's lives / Right here where we stand.

Other standouts on Thrasher include the breezy traditional country sortie "One Of Us," real world-rooted poetic tale "Angel," heartbreaking "In A Heartbeat," uptempo "Paradise" and heart-rending "Miss America." Flowers' upcoming concert dates include a show at The Ford in Los Angeles on Sept. 4, and at the Encore Theater at Wynn in Las Vegas, Nevada on Oct. 5 and Oct. 6, 2026. Information: brandonflowersmusic.com.

Artist: Night Ranger

Title: Best Of (Frontiers Music Sr)
You might like if you enjoy: Night Ranger, Damn Yankees, Styx
Tell me more: On Aug. 28, hard rock heroes Night Ranger released their Best Of album, which collects 18 tracks from across the rock quintet's career. In addition to the band's beloved radio hits, the set also features standout tracks from the California-spawned troupe's more recent releases that are definitely worthy of discovery. Among the collection's early highlights are the rousing opener "Don't Tell Me You Love Me," inspired "You Can Still Rock In America," affecting rock ballad "Sister Christian" and melodic "Four In The Morning." Additional standouts include the fiery "Breakout" (bolstered by outstanding lead guitar work), tuneful power pop-mining "Tomorrow," propulsive rocker "High Road," hard charging "Somehow Someway" and genre-blending "Truth." 

The band features the talents of Jack Blades (bass, vocals), Kelly Keagy (drums, vocals), Brad Gillis (guitars), Eric Levy (keyboards) and Keri Kelli (guitars). All the tracks are newly remixed and remastered; the collection is available on both audio CD and vinyl. The double LP is available in three different colors: black, gold and orange splatter. Night Ranger has also released an official music video for the melodic harmonies-adorned original "Wasted Time (Live from Sweetwater Studios)" you can view HERE. Night Ranger is currently touring and will perform at Gila River Casino, 5040 Wild Horse Pass Blvd., Chandler, AZ at 8 p.m. on Sept. 10. Information: nightrranger.com.

Robert Kinsler

New Music: The Killers, Willie Nile, Night Ranger, The Furious Seasons

In the wake of the arrival of COVID-19, it's not a surprise that a growing list of terrific studio albums written and recorded during the pandemic are being released. In my latest column, I feature four very different albums that collectively provide a lesson in how artists are able to capture adversity and cast it into song. 

Artist: The Killers

Title: Pressure Machine (Island Records)

You might like if you enjoy: Bruce Springsteen, Band of Horses, Dawes

Tell me more: In a year that has yielded a bumper crop of incredible albums created during the global pandemic, The Killers' 7th studio album Pressure Machine takes a especially introspective look at life today albeit through the prism of the small town of Nephi, Utah (where band singer Brandon Flowers spent most of his youth). While the modern rock heroes were spawned out of Las Vegas, the sound of this album draws favorable comparisons with Bruce Springsteen's Western Stars and Band of Horses' 2010 masterwork Infinite Arms. The songs were borne out of real life stores — they take aim at religious faith and discontent, death, cynicism, sacrificed dreams, the ravages of opioids and a myriad of observations about rural America. The musical tapestry is rich and beautiful; the lovely opener "West Hills," driving melodic harmonica- and piano-adorned "Quiet Town," tuneful "Sleepwalker," shimmering "In Another Life" and gorgeous "Runaway Horses" (the latter a duet between Flowers and Phoebe Bridgers) are among the masterful original tracks on the outstanding LP. Each of the tracks is introduced via spoken word segments that add to the power of the concept album. Information: TheKillersMusic.com.

Artist: Willie Nile

Title: The Day The Earth Stood Still (River House Records)

You might like if you enjoy: Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan

Tell me more: Singer-songwriter Willie Nile's outstanding 14th album The Day the Earth Stood Still may be named after the classic Robert Wise-directed 1951 sci-fi classic but is firmly rooted in the here and now. Listen close and the currents of the coronavirus' terrible toll on the world emerge via sharp songcraft; but there is an even larger canvas on display here as Nile's biting lyrics touch on social injustice, love, loss, hate and the mountain of troubles that divide and enrage the world — a sharp comedic wit further enhancing the collection. The piercing title track, searing "Blood On Your Hand" (featuring guest vocals from Steve Earle), lovely Baroque ballad "I Will Stand" and hope-filled anthem "Way of the Heart" reflect Nile's enduring prowess to bring diverse musical styles into his strong song-centered vision. "The Justice Bell" is a beautiful and affecting tribute to the late civil rights activist / U.S. Congressman John Lewis, who sadly passed away in July 2020. Information: WillieNile.com.

Artist: Night Ranger

Title: ATBPO (Frontiers Music Srl Records)

You might like if you enjoy: Night Ranger, Damn Yankees

Tell me more: Night Ranger is back with a winning album of melodic rock sure to please fans of the band's blend of melodic and hard rock. ATBPO (which stands for "And The Band Played On," a nod to soldiering on during the pandemic) delivers a mix of signature rockers and power ballads.  Anyone who has seen the quintet or knows their full discography will be thrilled that their 12th album continues to showcase breathtaking tandem lead guitar work (Brad Gillis and Keri Kelli), strong lead vocals (courtesy of bassist Jack Blades and drummer Kelly Keagy) and creative keyboards (Eric Levy). The prog rock-mining brisk rocker "Breakout," modern country-tinged "Hard To Make It Easy" and "Lucky Man," harmonies-rich power ballad "Can't Afford A Hero," hard-edged kiss-off "Cold As December," rowdy "Monkey" and inspired "Tomorrow" are among the standouts on the 11-track album. Released on Aug. 6, ATBPO is available on audio CD, color vinyl (a variety of limited edition versions) and digital; the CD and LP versions include the bonus track "Savior." Information: NightRanger.com.

Artist: The Furious Seasons

Title: Home All Day, Home All Night (Stonegarden Records)

You might like if you enjoy: Chris Hillman, Glen Phillips, Smart Brown Handbag, Pop Art

Tell me more: Set for release on Aug. 20, 2020, the title of The Furious Seasons' album says it all — Home All Day, Home All Night. As if the ravages of COVID-19 haven't been tough enough on their own, the coronavirus presented a huge hurdle for David Steinhart (guitar, vocals, drums), Jeff Steinhart (upright bass, keyboards, piano) and P.A. Nelson (guitar, vocals, dobro) because the trio is "...an acoustic band whose approach relies heavily on listening to each other in tight quarters," admitted Steinhart in press notes. " We went from sitting in a circle and recording live to sitting in three different studios miles apart." The good news is that the members of The Furious Seasons and five-time Grammy winning producer/engineer Alfonso Rodenas have a triumph with Home All Day, Home All Night, a testament that even a prolonged quarantine and working remotely couldn't get in the way of the creation of a dozen memorable tracks. With the exception of an artful reworking of David Bowie's "Changes," the material is truly original even while showcasing Americana sounds spanning classics from the '70s through this decade. The mournful "Is This Happening," intimate "We Go Down," melancholy-filled "Birthday Song" and desolate "The North Valley" are among my favorites on the stunning release. Information: TheFuriousSeasons.com.

Robert Kinsler

New Music: Aimee Mann, Ruthie Foster, The Creation, Night Ranger

Whether listeners are seeking out artful folk and pop rock, blues and soul, '60s garage rock or '80s-styled hard rock, there are outstanding new titles that will appeal to fans hungry for great new music.

Artist: Aimee Mann
Title: Mental Illness (SuperEgo Records)
You might like if you enjoy: Aimee Mann, The Shins, The Both
Tell me more: Every time singer-songwriter Aimee Mann releases a new album it marks another reason to celebrate her exceptional and rare legacy. On her latest masterwork Mental Illness (the ninth solo album of her distinguished career, not counting her contributions to 1999's "Magnolia" and her role in the duo dubbed The Both co-starring Ted Leo), Mann scales back the more sweeping Beatlesque sonic textures of Bachelor No. 2 and Lost In Space in favor of a more sparse delivery in the service of her bewitching songcraft. Mental Illness finds an expanse where her introspective songs continue to be bolstered by an almost otherworldly touch festooned with melodic lines ensuring that even downcast themes shimmer and charm. On the baroque folk-flavored "Goose Snow Cone," Mann sings "Even birds of a feather find it hard to fly." Later on during the enticing folk rocker "Patient Zero," she sardonically sings "Life is grand / And wouldn't you like to have it go as planned." Even on the relatively straightforward "You Never Loved Me," there is a nuanced touch and emotional weight that fully lures the listener. An outstanding album (Editor's Note: Mental Illness is slated for release on Friday, March 31, 2017).
Information: aimeemann.com.

Artist: Ruthie Foster
Title: Joy Comes Back (Blue Corn Music)
You might like if you enjoy: Bonnie Raitt, Susan Tedeschi
Tell me more: Songstress Ruthie Foster's Joy Comes Back showcases the Austin, Texas-based artist's mighty touch via performances that masterfully blend soul, gospel and blues material. In addition to featuring an original song (the soul-stirring R&B ballad "Open Sky"), Joy Comes Back offers up a diverse mix of songwriters represented across its 10-track run. Gospel choruses are given their welcome due via an uplifting take of Sean Staples' "Joy Comes Back" (featuring some hot slide guitar from Derek Trucks) and a sweet take on Stevie Wonder's "Loving You is Sweeter Than Ever," while a reworked interpretation of Black Sabbath's epic "War Pigs" erupts as a heavy Chicago blues-styled firestorm. Elsewhere there is a seamless mix of soul and blues, notably on a wonderful version of Chris Stapleton's "What Are You Listening To." Foster is one of modern music's greatest singers, in large part, because she thankfully never resorts to overwrought or contrived pop excess. Joy Comes Back is a fantastic showcase of Foster's supernatural powers. Information: RuthieFoster.com.

Artist: The Creation
Title: Action Painting (Numero Group)
You might like if you enjoy: Early Who, early Kinks, the Jam, the Zombies
Tell me more: Originally recorded between 1965 and 1968, The Creation's Action Painting collection of amazing songs has been remastered from the original tapes by Shel Talmy and bring the English quartet's complete studio catalog (including four tracks by The Mark Four, a forerunner of The Creation) to audio CD. The recordings here leap across time and explode with youthful energy and garage rock grandeur. Rollicking rockers ("Making Time," "Biff Bang Pow," "How Does It Feel to Feel"), melodic power pop ("Try and Stop Me," "Tom Tom") and psychedelic rock ("Painter Man," "Nightmares," "Through My Eyes") are delivered with stylish perfection. The two-disc set comes in a beautiful package that includes an 80-page hard cover book (CD version) with a slew of unseen photographs, colorful images of original discography artwork and a historical essay penned by Dean Rudland. Information: NumeroGroup.com.

Artist: Night Ranger
Title: Don't Let Up (Frontiers Music SRL)
You might like if you enjoy: Damn Yankees, Journey
Tell me more: Fans of melodic hard rock will want to grab a copy of Don't Let Up, the 12th studio album from Night Ranger. The San Francisco-spawned rock quintet unleash plenty of hard-charging rockers in celebration of the band's 35th anniversary. In fact, this writer is certain that every track on the disc will please the faithful. The blend of driving hard rock rhythms, soaring vocal choruses and impressive guitar work featuring the tandem fast-fingered talents of Brad Gillis and Keri Kelli continues to be a surefire formula. Singer-bassist Jack Blades and singer-drummer Kelly Keagy continue to provide a strong rhythm section. The infectious "Somehow Someway," guitar-centered "Running Out of Time" and "Say What You Want," and decidedly melodic title track "Don't Let Up" are among the standouts on the 11-song LP. A deluxe edition of the album includes an additional track and a bonus DVD.  Information: NightRanger.com.

Robert Kinsler