New Music: Phil Lynott and Thin Lizzy, Maple Mars, The Zombies

In this column, I highlight three outstanding new titles.

Artists: Phil Lynott, Thin Lizzy

Titles: "Phil Lynott Songs For While I'm Away"; "Thin Lizzy The Boys Are Back In Town Live At The Sydney Opera House October 1978" (Mercury Studios)

You might like if you enjoy: Thin Lizzy, Gary Moore, music documentary films

Tell me more: Regardless if you are a hardcore or casual fan, or know very little about Irish singer-songwriter-bassist Phil Lynott of Thin Lizzy fame, a wonderful new dual title marks the perfect chance to learn more about the groundbreaking artist. Available as a Blu-ray+DVD+CD (reviewed here) or as a 2xDVD+CD, Mercury Studios' release of "Phil Lynott Songs For While I'm Away" and "Thin Lizzy The Boys Are Back In Town Live At The Sydney Opera House October 1978" is one of the year's most important classic rock-minded titles. "Phil Lynott Songs For While I'm Away" is a compelling feature-length documentary that explores the rich life and music of Lynott, a black boy raised in Dublin who became one of the Emerald Isle's most beloved music artists. Written and directed by Emer Reynolds, the film uses film footage, new and historic interviews, and Lynott's memorable songs to chronicle his life (sadly, he passed away at the age of 36 in January 1986). Among the notables who share insights into Lynott are bassist Adam Clayton (U2), Huey Lewis (Huey Lewis & The News), James Hatfield (Metallica), members of Thin Lizzy, and Lynott's wife and two daughters. "Thin Lizzy The Boys Are Back In Town Live At The Sydney Opera House October 1978" was previously released via VHS, Laserdisc and DVD, but the new version on this title presents the concert with cleaned up video and remixed audio from multi-track recordings. Additionally, five songs from the performance never before seen are among the bonus features. Thin Lizzy is seen in a rousing performance with Lynott, guitarists Scott Gorham and Gary Moore and drummer Mark Nauseef delivering powerful versions of "Jailbreak," "Bad Reputation," "Waiting For An Alibi," "The Boys Are Back In Town" and other winning originals. Information: MercuryStudios.co or ThinLizzyOfficial.com. 

Artist: Maple Mars

Title: Someone's Got To Listen (Big Stir Records)

You might like if you enjoy: Matthew Sweet, Fountains of Wayne, The Move

Tell me more: Maple Mars is back! The Los Angeles-based quartet has released Someone's Got To Listen, a terrific 10-track effort that also marks the outfit's first new full-length album since 2010's Galaxyland. Loaded with an intoxicating mix of psychedelic rock, tuneful songcraft and artful arrangements, Someone's Got To Listen extols '60s influences while tapping into modern day heft. There is truly no filler on the outstanding disc, which boasts one must hear original after another. My faves include the irresistible opener "Useless Information," luxurious "Gliding," soaring harmonies-adorned "Teenage Dream," nuanced "Goodbye California," and driving "Silver Craft" (bolstered by some fantastic guitar work). The ambitious closer "Redemption" caps the outstanding return. Maple Mars' talented lineup includes Rick Hromadka (lead vocals, guitar, keyboards), Steve Berns (guitar), Ron Pak (drums, vocals) and Joe Giddings (bass, vocals). Someone's Got To Listen is set for release on Friday, July 22. Information: BigStirRecords.com. 

Artist: The Zombies

Title: The Zombies - Live From Studio Two (Red House Records)

You might like if you enjoy: The Zombies 

Tell me more: Concertgoers attending any of The Zombies forthcoming live dates — including the highly anticipated appearance at Pappy and Harriet's in Pioneertown on July 21 — will want to pick up a copy of The Zombies - Live From Studio Two, a CD+DVD release that features the group's live performance captured at Abbey Road Studios in London on Sept. 18, 2021. The only performance staged by the British rock group in 2021, the 90-minute performance shines as both a concert film and audio-only affair. At the Sept. 18, 2021 concert, the quintet thrilled with a mix of enduring classics, artful covers, deep cuts as well as the live premiere of new songs set to be included on an as-of-yet untitled album likely to be released sometime this year. Led by founding members Rod Argent (keyboards, vocals) and Colin Blunstone (lead vocals), the group also includes guitarist-backing vocalist Tom Toomey, drummer Steve Rodford and bassist-backing vocalist Søren Koch. The five members have a strong chemistry and together display top-tier musicianship and resplendent harmonies bringing the Zombies signature masterful style blending classic rock, baroque pop, jazz and blues to life throughout their 90-minute performance. Blunstone's vocals defy time, and his soaring tenor remains a true wonder. The release is also available for purchase on the group's website. Information: TheZombiesMusic.com. 

Robert Kinsler

New music: Little Richard, Ace Frehley, Rick Hromadka, Aimee Mann

If you like variety when it comes to music, check out my latest roundup of essential new releases...

Artist: Little Richard

Titles: The Rill Thing; King of Rock and Roll (Omnivore Recordings)

You might like if you enjoy: Little Richard, Prince, Vintage Trouble, Billy Preston

Tell me more: When Little Richard passed away at the age of 87 on May 9, 2020, it rekindled interest in the life and music of the pioneering rock and roll great. Now Omnivore Recordings has reissued expanded versions of two of his most important albums, 1970's The Rill Thing and 1971's King of Rock and Roll. Best known for his string of seminal '50s hits ("Tutti Fruiti," "Long Tall Sally," "Rip It Up" and many more), the Macon, Georgia native enjoyed a well-deserved comeback with these ambitious early '70s LPs where his signature vocals were at their peak. The Rill Thing was recorded in Muscle Shoals, Alabama and finds Little Richard — who also produced the album — delivering an album that fuses blues, soul, funk and R&B together flawlessly. There are a plethora of fantastic moments on the album including the potent rock 'n' soul leadoff track "Freedom Blues," Creedence Clearwater Revival-mining "Greenwood, Mississippi," the ambitious title track (which runs more than 10 minutes!), the New Orleans swoop "Lovesick Blues," a joyful horns-draped version of The Beatles' "I Saw Her Standing There" and bonus track "Shake A Hand (If You Can)." 

Fourteen months after the release of The Rill Thing, Little Richard rebounded with the equally convincing King of Rock and Roll, produced by H.B. Barnum. The expanded LP features a fine mix of original songs, along with reworked covers of Motown and rock classics. Listening to the spirited '50s title track, gospel-meets-soul version of "Joy To The World," rocking take on The Rolling Stones' "Brown Sugar" and joyful "The Way You Do The Things You Do" all find the rocker tapping into all of his strengths. The funky "Green Power," soulful ballad "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry" and retooled "Born On The Bayou" shine an especially bright light on his elevated vocal excellence during this period. Both of these Cheryl Pawelski-produced reissues come with essential bonus tracks, new liner notes penned by Bill Dahl, photos and ephemera. Information: OmnivoreRecordings.com.

Artist: Ace Frehley

Title: Origins Vol. 2 (Entertainment One)

You might like if you enjoy: Ace Frehley, Lita Ford, Robin Zander, Bruce Kulick

Tell me more: Revisiting classic tracks from the top-tier likes of The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, The Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix and The Kinks can be challenging because the originals endure in their timeless perfection. But on his new dozen-strong set Origins Vol. 2 KISS founding member Ace Frehley (lead guitar, vocals) is able to meet that challenge by covering beloved classics with virtuoso guitar work, a hard rock edge, an unbridled sense of joy and a little help from some good friends. Among the smoking cuts on the disc is a high-octane tear through the Rolling Stones' "Jumpin' Jack Flash" (featuring Lita Ford on lead vocals), a rousing cover of Humble Pie's 1972 blues-rocker favorite "30 Days In The Hole" (with Cheap Trick frontman Robin Zander able to deliver on the lead vocals delivered by the late Steve Marriott in the original) and the mind-bending Hendrix cut "Manic Depression" (with Frehley and Grand Funk Railroad's Bruce Kulick both soloing). KISS lost more than a step with the departure of Frehley in 1982 (he did rejoin the band from 1996 to the end of 2001); just listen to the blistering take on Mountain's "Never In My Life" and Cream's "Politician" to hear Frehley's killer guitar work in spades. Other treasures on the LP include a cool take on Paul Revere & the Raiders' "Kicks" and a cover of his former band's "She" (featured on the 1975 album "Dressed to Kill"). Get Origins Vol. 2 and crank it up! Then go back and discover the Spaceman's 2016 album Origins Vol. 1. Information: AceFrehley.com.

Artist: Rick Hromadka

Title: Better Days (SodaStar Music)

You might like if you enjoy: Jason Falkner, Roger Joseph Manning Jr., Maple Mars, the Lickerish Quartet

Tell me more: Los Angeles-based singer-songwriter Rick Hromadka's Better Days is the perfect find for those in search of music that is melodic, memorable and expertly crafted. Hromadka (Maple Mars, Ruby Free, Double Naught Spies) and a batch of musical pals have created an album that is one of the best power pop releases in memory, a surging and artful effort that is bolstered by excellent song craft, experimental flourishes aplenty and nuanced musicianship. The atmospheric opener "Better Days," exhilarating melodic rocker "Searchlight," psychedelic-aimed "Drive On" and breezy "The Ever After" are early highlights on the album. The driving "Full Blown Freakout," genre bending "Robot Lover" and lavish "The Last Volcano" make the second half of the disc equally strong. Better Days, set for release on Sept. 22, will be available on vinyl and digital. Information: SodaStarMusic.com.

Artist: Aimee Mann

Title: Avalanche (HBO's "I'll Be Gone In The Dark")

You might like if you enjoy: Aimee Mann, Leonard Cohen

Tell me more: Singer-songwriter Aimee Mann has released a evocative version of Leonard Cohen's ballad "Avalanche," which is now featured as the title track for HBO's true-crime docuseries "I'll Be Gone In The Dark." Covering Cohen can be tricky and few artists have done it with the power and artful grandeur to do the original material justice; Mann's haunting and faithful cover of "Avalanche" is sheer joy and well worth discovering. The song can be streamed or downloaded now. Information: https://orcd.co/amavalanche.

Robert Kinsler