New music: Big Head Todd & The Monsters, Crowded House, Dr. John

New titles featuring top-tier artists Big Head Todd & The Monsters, Crowded House and Dr. John are available now.

Artist: Big Head Todd & The Monsters

Title: Her Way Out (Big Records)

You might like if you enjoy: Big Head Todd & The Monsters

Tell me more: A dozen albums into their incredible 38-year career, Colorado-based rockers Big Head Todd & The Monsters sound like they are just getting started. Indeed, the celebrated quartet is heard firing on all cylinders across their newly-released full-length disc Her Way Out. The rollicking opener "Her Way Out" is propulsive and infectious, singer-guitarist Todd Park Mohr detailing the end of a failed relationship with powerful candor. The rousing "Thunderbird" recalls a Southern-fried take on AC/DC-styled hard rock with Mohr, drummer Brian Nevin, bassist Rob Squires and guitarist Jeremy Lawton cutting loose with abandon before slowing down for the reflective blues rock cut "Crush." Elsewhere, the troupe gallops through the catchy Spaghetti Western rocker "Don't Kill Me Tonight," soars via the resplendent "Glorious Full Moon," inspires on "My New Number One," triumphs on the bewitching "Into the Light," get funky on "King Kong" and close things out with the melodic heavy rocker "Rainbow Girl." Her Way Out is an essential addition to the band's stellar discography. Information: bigheadtodd.com.

Artist: Crowded House

Title: Gravity Stairs (BMG)

You might like if you enjoy: Crowded House, Neil Finn, Del Amitri

Tell me more: Nearly 40 years after classic tracks like "Don't Dream It's Over" and "Something So Strong" introduced their elegant style of melodic rock to the masses, Australian troupe Crowded House return with a genuinely brilliant masterwork titled Gravity Stairs. The 11-track disc is filled with original gems stretching from the shimmering opener "Magic Piano" and graceful single "Teenage Summer" (the latter showcasing Neil Finn's yearning vocals) to the exhilarating power pop foray "The Howl," sumptuous "Some Greater Plan (for Claire)," psychedelic-tinged "I Can't Keep Up With You" and poignant closer "Night Song." Other sonic delights include the Beatlesque "All That I Can Ever Own," buoyant "Oh Hi" and evocative "Thirsty." Released on May 31, Gravity Stairs is available on both audio CD and vinyl. Crowded House will appear at the Ohana Festival at Doheny State Beach in Dana Point, CA on Sept. 27, 2024. Information: crowdedhouse.com.

Artist: Dr. John

Title: Gris-Gris Gumbo Ya Ya: Singles 1968-1974  (Record label)

You might like if you enjoy: Dr. John, Professor Longhair, Leon Russell

Tell me more: June 6, 2024 marked the fifth anniversary of the passing of groundbreaking singer-songwriter/pianist Malcolm John Rebeennack, Jr. — better known as Dr. John. The beloved champion of New Orleans who fused jazz, blues, funk and swamp rock together into a signature brew is celebrated on the wonderful new collection Gris-Gris Gumbo Ya Ya: Singles 1968-1974, a wonderful 26-track retrospective revisiting choice material John released at the beginning of his high-profile solo career via a parade of memorable Atco/Atlantic album releases. The wealth of musical riches on the collection extends from the spoken word-anchored opener "Gris-Gris Gumbo Ya Ya," colorful "Mama Roux" and infectious "Jump Sturdy" to the stylish "Wash Mama Wash," buoyant cover of the traditional New Orleans favorite "Iko Iko" and especially joyful reading of "Let The Good Times Roll." A flashy blues-draped take on Buddy Guy's "A Man of Many Words" finds John teaming up with Guy and Eric Clapton. Of course, the new collection wouldn't be complete without the inclusion of John's timeless 1973 hit "Right Place Wrong Time" and tender "Such a Night," the latter a song that was also performed as part of The Band's "The Last Waltz" concert in 1976. A wonderful eight-page booklet includes informative liner notes penned by American music journalist Gene Sculatti. Those looking to discover or revisit the influential legacy of Dr. John should plan to add Gris-Gris Gumbo Ya Ya: Singles 1968-1974 to their collection. Information: OmnivoreRecordings.com.

Robert Kinsler

Big Head Todd and The Monsters release new album 'Her Way Out'

One of my favorite blues-rock artists is issuing a new album today. Get all the details and listen to Big Head Todd & The Monster's "Her Way Out"...Robert Kinsler

BIG HEAD TODD AND THE MONSTERS RELEASE NEW ALBUM 'HER WAY OUT' LISTEN HERE SUMMER TOUR KICKS OFF JUNE 4TH IN DURANGO ON THE ROAD WITH BLUES TRAVELER JULY 30 - AUGUST 4 TOUR DATES HERE

BOULDER, CO -  Big Head Todd and The Monsters are excited to announce the release of their 12th album, Her Way Out, via Big Records. For close to four decades, the members of Big Head Todd and The Monsters—Todd Park Mohr [vocals, guitar, keys, sax, harmonica], Brian Nevin [drums], Rob Squires [bass, vocals], and Jeremy Lawton [keyboards, lap pedal-steel guitar, vocals]—have continued to both throw down in the studio and light up stages worldwide. Rallying around a core vision, the platinum-selling Colorado quartet kick out the jams both in-studio and on-stage. Todd, Brian and Rob unlocked their musical partnership during high school when they started jamming in the early eighties. In 1986 they adopted the name Big Head Todd and The Monsters. BHTM released two successful independent records on their label, BIG Records, Another Mayberry (1989) and Midnight Radio (1990.) Sister Sweetly (1993) pushed them to the next level yielding four top 10 rock radio hits. Strategem [1994] came next followed by Beautiful World [1997], which included "Boom Boom" featuring John Lee Hooker.  The band procured a spot in The Guinness Book of World Records with their performance of "Blue Sky" live from NASA Mission Control to the Space Station.They've toured and recorded with B.B. King, Neil Young, The Allman Brothers, Hubert Sumlin, David "Honeyboy" Edwards, Dave Matthews Band, The Eagles and Robert Plant. They attained hometown hero status by headlining Red Rocks Amphitheatre 35 times and earning induction into the Colorado Music Hall of Fame in 2023.  Their latest release, Her Way Out, came to life organically. For two years, the band hosted "Monster's Music Monthly," serving up new songs or new versions of their extensive catalogue.of a classic Working out of Jeremy's home studio, they parlayed this momentum into their latest LP. "It had been almost seven years since our last album release, but we wanted to put the same energy of 'Monster's Music Monthly' into a full-length," Todd notes. "We have a very distinct personality as a band. I write to each member's sensibilities because they will have to dig playing it. We're a benevolent democracy. If one guy isn't connecting with a certain song, that song is out. As an uncomplicated rock band, we like to do' proper' things—loud guitars, drums, big bass, well-placed organ, keys, and lap steel. We road-tested every song on the record before recording a lick. That helped us dial in the arrangements, ditch tunes that didn't work and grow a strong sense of what our parts should be." In this respect, the single and title track "Her Way Out" packs a concentrated and catchy punch. Anchored by a steady beat, the rough-and-tumble riff kicks up dust as soulful vocals ignite an irresistible refrain: "She found her way out, her way out—and it was me." Guitar surges through "Thunderbird" as strains of organ coat a raucous refrain with a lyrical tip-of-the-hat to the Francis Ford Coppola and George Lucas classic American Graffiti. Todd declares, "'Thunderbird' is a collection of one-liners from the film knit together with a beat poet vibe. It has an AC/DC-like guitar riff and a cinematic-style vocal. It's all about drag racing and love never caught." Elsewhere, Big Head Todd and The Monsters nod to Annie Oakley with "Don't Kill Me Tonight." Then, there's "King Kong." A hulking groove lumbers beneath the frontman's bluesy intonation as a piano solo bleeds into a skyscraper-scaling guitar lead. "It's inspired by a large movie poster in my basement of King Kong on top of the Empire State Building," Todd reveals. "I'm drawn to these iconic contemporary heroes who are also monsters. They are complicated because they destroy so much, yet are sympathetic to children and fall in love with human women. These 'Titans,' as they are called, are often monsters of our own making. It's exciting to perform live." Rave reviews have been rolling in. Westword declared, "Her Way Out is the kind of album that's meant to be played while speeding down a mountain road, chasing that Wild West type of freedom that this Colorado band has always evoked". Blues Rock Review said, "Her Way Out is an enjoyable collection that only becomes more so with repeated listens".  At the same time, Americana Highways effused, "Rootsy American rock that ought to turn anyone on".  Ultimately, the future looks as bright as ever for these longtime friends. "We work very hard at being a great band" Todd leaves off. "We're also a group that cares for each other. We've been together for almost 40 years. Our audience has made it all possible, and we're grateful and determined to keep playing."   STREAM 'HER WAY OUT' SHOP MERCH HERE   CONNECT  Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Youtube | Spotify

Big Head Todd and the Monsters make triumphant return to The Coach House

Big Head Todd and the Monsters performing at The Coach House
in San Juan Capistrano, CA, on Wednesday night, Nov. 9, 2022.

Who: Big Head Todd and the Monsters, Jim Dalton & Jeremy Lawton

Where: The Coach House in San Juan Capistrano, CA

When: Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2022

Next: Big Head Todd and the Monsters has a number of upcoming Southern California dates. The band performs in Ventura on Nov. 11; in Solana Beach on Nov. 12 and 13; and in Pioneertown on Nov 14

Information: bigheadtodd.com

Todd Park Mohr at The Coach
House on Nov. 9, 2022.

Review by Robert Kinsler

Photography by Bob Steshetz

Playing their signature blend of blues, rock, funk and jam with artful force, Big Head Todd and the Monsters returned to The Coach House in San Juan Capistrano, CA on Wednesday night to thrill a packed and enthusiastic crowd. Performing a 110-minute set of material, Todd Park Mohr (lead vocals, guitar), Brian Nevin (drums), Rob Squires (bass) and Jeremy Lawton (keyboards, slide guitar) impressed from the moment they hit the stage of the legendary venue.

Opening with their enticing blues-flavored original "Josephina" (a track off their wonderful 2014 album Black Beehive), the quartet offered up the track with the perfect blend of raw power and nuanced virtuosity.

Todd Park Mohr immersed in the 
music on Nov. 9, 2022.

From there, BHTM performed a fantastic new original, "Thunderbird." A catchy country-tinged riff rocker bolstered by a fiery lead guitar solo courtesy of Mohr, the other three members of the outfit created a dynamic approach further amplifying the power of the cut. 

Brian Nevin behind the kit at The Coach House. 

With the exception of a brief hiccup during "King Kong" — where Mohr's guitar cut out — BHTM energetically delivered each song as if it was their greatest hit. An emotive laid back nugget, "Ellis Island" allowed the troupe to explore the corner of the sonic universe where blues and jazz meet; the foursome turned on a dime performing the '90s-styled reggae rocker "Please Don't Tell Her" with a breezy vibe adding to the magic. 

Jeremy Lawton at the Coach House.

Other standouts of the set included the Texas-blues mining "Dirty Juice" with Lawton tearing it up on slide guitar and Mohr's powerhouse vocals showcased, the groove-and-blues gem "New World Arisin'," "Vincent Of Jersey" with Mohr taking the beginning alone accompanied by his guitar, and a flat-out bewitching version of the band's 1993 hit "Bittersweet," the latter a sweeping and zestful version enhanced by the work of all four band members.

Bassist Rob Squires on Nov. 9, 2022.

BHTM also celebrated several of their heroes during the set; early there was a ferocious Chicago blues take on Buddy Guy's "Sit and Cry (The Blues)"  — originally recorded back in 1958 — while later on they covered John Lee Hooker's timeless "Boom Boom" with equal abandon.

From left, Todd Park Mohr and Jeremy Lawton at the Coach House.

The encore was definitely worth the wait. The Boulder, Colorado band delivered a mighty version of "Circle," the rousing single from the band's major label debut Sister Sweetly. Park's emotive and convincing vocals were fully in sync with the song's refined beginnings and build to a huge classic rock-styled finale.

BHTM closed out the memorable set with a fun run through the Ramones' "I Want To Be Sedated."

From left, Jim Dalton and Jeremy Lawton at the Coach House.

Opening the night with a 45-minute set of Americana-meets-blues, Jim Dalton — accompanied by the aforementioned Jeremy Lawton — featured tracks from Dalton's full-length 2021 album In My Head.  

From left, Jim Dalton and Jeremy Lawton at the Coach House.

Dalton, the lead guitarist of Roger Clyne & the Peacemakers, brought a loose and authentic approach to his performance. The countrified "Amigos" and satiric "Serial Killer" (Dalton wrote the latter song after reading a news report about a young woman who wanted to marry serial killer Charles Manson) were among the standouts. My favorite song of the pair's set was Dalton's absolutely luxurious ballad "In My Head."