American rock troupe Collective Soul, singer-guitar great Orianthi, Swedish rockers Thundermother, singer-songwriter Nick Frater and alt rock favorites Goo Goo Dolls are all back with essential new recordings worth adding to your music library.
Title: Vibrating (Fuzzy-Flex Records)
You might like if you enjoy: Collective Soul, Toad the Wet Sprocket, Psychic Rain
Tell me more: Nearly 30 years after their outstanding debut Hints Allegations and Things Left Unsaid introduced their fully original mix of melodic alternative rock and post-grunge to the world, Collective Soul continues to chart their own course with albums rooted in stellar songcraft, creative arrangements and inspired performances. "Cut The Cord" opens the album, a searing hard rocker bolstered by loads of crunchy guitar and a driving beat; the propulsive "Reason" enhanced by an especially melodic chorus follows. The energy on the 10-track album is palpable, with singer-guitarist Ed Roland, lead guitarist Jesse Triplett, rhythm guitarist Dean Roland, bassist Will Turpin and drummer Johnny Rabb each adding sophisticated magic to the proceedings. Other highlights on the excellent album include the enticing "Take" with its hypnotic mix of '60s jangle garage rock and mellifluous musical layers, the shining "Undone," symphonic-tinged gem "Rule No. 1," genre-defying delight "Looking Around" and the ambitious romance-mining "Where Do I Go." My favorite track is the undeniably captivating "All Our Pieces," a soaring anthem with singer Ed Roland's expressive vocals bringing an emotional heft to the euphonious cut. Information: CollectiveSoul.com.
Title: Live From Hollywood (Frontiers Music Srl)
You might like if you enjoy: Orianthi, Nita Strauss, Michael Jackson's "This Is It" documentary
Tell me more: Singer-songwriter/guitar hero Orianthi is back with Live From Hollywood, a sharp 11-track set of hard-hitting melodic rock captured on Jan. 8, 2022 at the Bourbon Room in Hollywood, CA. The release — available on audio CD/DVD and Blu-ray — sees the guitarist and her excellent five-member backing band playing songs from the Australia native's most recent release O (notably the hard rocking lead-off track "Contagious," soulful "Sinners Hymn" and edgy "Impulsive") and audience favorites like the kiss-off "What's It Gonna Be?" and stirring romantic cut "Blues Won't Leave Me Alone." Additional highlights include the AC/DC-styled "Think Like A Man," undeniable ear candy hit "According To You" and blues rock-mining album closer "How Do You Sleep?" Orianthi has a winning soprano and her astonishing guitar work impresses at every turn. Information: Facebook.com/Orianthi.
Title: Black and Gold (AFM Records)
You might like if you enjoy: AC/DC, Scorpions
Tell me more: Tapping into the take-no-prisoners rock assault of AC/DC, Sweden's all-female rock outfit Thundermother delivers a dozen head banging tracks on Black and Gold (available via AFM Records on Aug. 19). Experts at fusing Guernica Mancini's signature lead vocals with riff rock, big choruses, guitar crunch and infectious rhythms, there is plenty for hard rock fans to celebrate across the band's fourth full-length release. The high voltage opener "The Light In The Sky," anthemic title track (featuring marvelous lead guitar from Filippa Nässil), bluesy power ballad "Hot Mess," driving rocker "Watch Out," snappy "Loud and Free" and explosive "Stratosphere" fully deliver on Thundermother's moniker. Thundermother will be on tour with Scorpions and Whitesnake beginning with a date in Toronto on Aug. 21. The trio of bands will perform at the Kia Forum in Inglewood, CA on Oct. 4. Information: thundermother.com.
Title: Aerodrome Motel (Big Stir Records)
You might like if you enjoy: Squeeze, XTC, Nick Frater's 2021 album "Earworms"
Tell me more: Armed with a wonderful tenor voice as well as a sharp knack for crafting literate and tuneful power pop, Croydon, England-based singer/multi-instrumentalist Nick Frater's myriad of talents are displayed in full across his forthcoming album Aerodrome Motel (coming to audio CD and via streaming platforms worldwide on Friday, Aug. 19 via Big Stir Records). Frater's last several albums (2021's Earworms and 2020's Fast & Loose) were critically acclaimed and the artist's latest effort continues that strong streak with a disc imbued with melody and musical hooks that grab the listener and (thankfully) don't let go. The stellar Aerodrome track listing includes the exuberant opener "The Pleasure Is Mine," driving "Love Heist," the harmonies-adorned "Stuck In My Ways," Americana-tinged ballad "No Hard Feelings." The last half of the disc continues to deliver in sonic spades via the intoxicating "Rough & Tumble," baroque pop sortie "Dear Modern Times," charmed single "Dancing With A Gertrude" and wistful "White Courtesy Telephone." Information: BigStirRecords.com.
Title: Chaos in Bloom (Warner Records)
You might like if you enjoy: Goo Goo Dolls, Fastball
Tell me more: Modern rock heroes Goo Goo Dolls are back with a tuneful and infectious collection of 10 songs on their latest album Chaos in Bloom, the veteran outfit's first-ever album produced by frontman John Rzeznik. There is a lyrical depth and range of topics tackled by Rzeznik and Robby Takac across the album that was developed in the midst of the global pandemic. The driving opener "Yeah, I Like You" is a tuneful and uptempo delight. "War" is a more reflective take on relationships, the dynamics of the track creatively building with each measure as Rzeznik's signature vocals soar. Other outstanding tracks on the disc include the shimmering "Loving Life," inward-looking rocker "Going Crazy," magnetic "Day After Day" and poignant "Superstar." Information: GooGooDolls.com.
Robert Kinsler
