Upcoming Releases (all dates subject to change):
UPCOMING RELEASES:| NOTES: |
Mumford & Sons' "Prizefighter" breaks out on 2/13! Black Rebel Motorcycle Club expand "Howl" with a boxed edition on 1/30/26! GNR to unleash remastered 4LP set of "'Live Era '87-93" on 11/21! The Doors drops "Live At The Aquarius Theatre: The First Performance" on 11/21! Pumpkins 30th Anniversary Edition of "Mellon Collie" arrives on 11/21! |
| NOW ON SALE: |
PULSE EP-Benson Boone (vinyl release) Rum Sodomy & The Last-The Pogues (Deluxe Edition) Live From The Vic in Chicago-Cage The Elephant (vinyl release) Quarantieme: Live a Paris-Dream Theatre Don't Tease Me With A Good Time-Jessie J Tonights The Night-Neil Young (50th Anniversary Edition) Fly From Here (Return Trip)-Yes (1CD/ 2LP/ blu-ray) [Super Deluxe alternate version of 2011 album] The Live Anthology-From The Vaults, Vol. #1-Tom Petty Copper Blue-The Singles Collection-Sugar Around The World In A Day: The Singles-Prince and the Revolution Rewiring Genesis-A Tribute To The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway-Nick D'Virgilio Bedtime Stories: The Untold Chapter-Madonna Metal Machine Music: Power To Consume, Vol. 1-Lou Reed/ various artists Fleetwood Mac Live 1975-Fleetwood Mac (vinyl release) The Original Freewheelin' Bob Dylan-Bob Dylan Live From Long Island-Billy Joel (vinyl reissue) Sister Sweetly-Big Head Todd & the Monsters (vinyl reissue) Broadcasting The Blues: Live From Germany & Sweden-B.B. King Live At The Bayou-Bad Brains One More Time EP-Aerosmith & Yungblud Live (vinyl reissue)-Alison Krauss & Union Station Leo Rising-Danko Jones Best Of Creed-Creed FYC40-Fine Young Cannibals See You On The Other Side (vinyl reissue)-KoRn Journeyman: Deluxe Edition-Eric Clapton (CD/LP, includes four new bonus tracks) Live Era: '87-'93-Guns N' Roses (Remastered 4LP box) Live At The Aquarius Theatre: The First Performance-The Doors See You On The Other Side-KoRn (vinyl reissue) Everyone's A Star-5 Seconds Of Summer Another Miracle-Of Mice & Men All Washed Up-Cheap Trick Some Hearts (20th Anniversary Edition)-Carrie Underwood Flowers-The Devil Wears Prada Coming Home Live-The Scorpions The Definitive Decoration Day-Drive-By Truckers The Best Of Everything But The Girl-Everything But The Girl Psychocandy (40th Anniversary Edition)-The Jesus & Mary Chain Gala (35th Anniversary Edition)-Lush Hecklers Choice: Big Gums & Heavy Lifters-Pavement Pavements (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)-Pavement Black And Blue-The Rolling Stones (2025 expanded reissue) Songs From The Big Chair (40th Anniversary Edition)-Tears For Fears Amorica-The Black Crowes (deluxe edition) The Definitive Decoration Day-Drive-By Truckers All Right: The Worldwide Singles 1980-1988-Christopher Cross Warning-Green Day (25th Anniversary Deluxe Edition) Familiar To Millions-Oasis (reissue) FYC40-Fine Young Cannibals Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness-Smashing Pumpkins (30th Anniversary Edition) Around The World In A Day-Prince (40th Anniversary Edition) |
| RECENT RELEASES: |
Small Talk-Whitney SHISH-Portugal. The Man Last Night On Earth-Finger Eleven 1985: The Miracle Year-Husker Du 1000: Live At The Electric Ballroom-Gary Numan Stardust-Danny Brown Sad And Beautiful World-Mavis Staples Brian Wilson: Live At The Roxy Theatre-Brian Wilson (reissue) Unplugged-The Cranberries Greatest Hits Christmas-LeeAnn Rimes Christmas Time Is Here-Herb Alpert Bitchin'-The Donna's (vinyl reissue) Spyboy-Emmylou Harris (reissue) Bold As Love-Jimi Hendrix Experience (boxed set) Live At The S.E.R.P.E.N.T. Festival-Slash Workin' Man: Willie Sings Merle-Willie Nelson Wings (The Definitive Self-titled Collection)-Wings Bold As Love-The Jimi Hendrix Experience (boxed set) Better Days-Yellowcard Struck Dead EP-Trivium Thick, Rich & Delicious-Guided By Voices Everybody Scream-Florence + The Machine Sparkle & Fade-Everclear (30th Anniversary Remastered Deluxe Edition) No Exit-Blondie (Deluxe Edition) Through The Open Window: Bootleg Series Vol. #18-Bob Dylan Eye To The Telescope-KT Tunstall Lighthouse: Live From London-Duff McKagan (guns n' roses) Stankonia (25th Anniversary)-Outkast Hail To The Thief Live Recordings 2003-2009 (vinyl reissue) Who Are You-The Who (7CD/ 1 blu-ray box or 4LP/ 2CD box, also colored vinyl & half-speed master editions available.) Kind Of Blue-Miles Davis (vinyl reissue) The Singles-Adam & The Ants Best Of The Other Sides-Kate Bush (physical release) Hail To The Thief Live Recordings 2003-2009-Radiohead (vinyl release) The Art Of Falling Apart (deluxe reissue)-Soft Cell The End-Mammoth Breathe-The Chainsmokers (EP) Love Chant-Lemonheads Forever (Legendary Edition)-Bon Jovi Burning Bridges Into Dust (EP)-The Strumbellas Death & Love pt. 2-Circa Waves You Are Safe From God Here-The Acacia Strain Cornucopia-Bjork Backbone-Ronnie Romero It's Not That Deep-Demi Lovato PHOLKS-Leon Thomas After Night-Nitty Gritty Dirty Band (EP) A Hangover You Don't Deserve-Bowling For Soup (live) Returning To Myself-Brandi Carlile More Acoustic Junk-Cowboy Junkies The Rock N' Roll Philosopher-Dion Love & Hyperbole-Alessia Cara Creature In The Black Night-Dayseeker Nobody Wants This (season 2)-Soundtrack Let It Be-The Replacements (Deluxe Edition) The Last Record Album (Deluxe Edition)-Little Feat Rum, Sodomy & The Last-The Pogues (vinyl reissue) Let It Be-The Replacements (Deluxe Edition) Covers, Collaborations & Collages-Serj Tankian (system of a down) Captain Fantastic & the Brown Dirt Cowboy-Elton John (50th Anniversary Edition) Best Of -Volume 2-Five Finger Death Punch Love Kraft-Super Furry Animals (20th Anniversary Edition) Nebraska '82-Bruce Springsteen (expanded edition) Different Class-Pulp (30th Anniversary Edition) Beaucoup Of Blues-Ringo Starr (vinyl reissue) Goodnight Vienna-Ringo Starr (vinyl reissue) Ringo-Ringo Starr (vinyl reissue) Sentimental Journey-Ringo Starr (vinyl reissue) All Is Love & Pain In The Mouse Parade-Of Monsters & Men Duets Special-Chrissie Hynde (the pretenders) From The First Sting-The Scorpions Once Upon A Time (40th Anniversary Edition)-Simple Minds Legends-Sabaton Deadbeat-Tame Impala Detour-Boz Scaggs Everyone's Talking-All Time Low E-MO-TION (10th Anniversary Edition)-Carly Rae Jepsen The Luck & Strange Concerts-David Gilmour From Under The Cork Tree (20th Anniversary Edition-Fall Out Boy Moanin' In The Moonlight-Howlin' Wolf (vinyl reissue) Greatest Hits-Kook & The Gang Tycoon-Ty Dolla $ign Eye To The Telescope-KT Tunstall The Luck & Strange Concerts-David Gilmour Greatest Hits-Kool & The Gang Robin Taylor Zandar-Robin Taylor Zander (cheap trick singer) Trouble In Paradise-Randy Newman (expanded edition) Best Of Muddy Waters-Muddy Waters (vinyl reissue) Moanin' In The Moonlight-Howlin' Wolf (vinyl reissue) Emotion-Carly Rae Jepsen (10th Anniversary Edition) Choice Of Weapon-The Cult (vinyl reissue) Hidden City-The Cult (vinyl reissue) I Quit-Haim (deluxe edition) A Night At The Opera-Queen (vinyl reissue) From Under The Cork Tree-Fall Out Boy (20th Anniversary edition) Hail To The Thief Live Recordings 2003-2009-Radiohead (vinyl release) Once Upon A Time-Simple Minds (40th Anniversary Edition) |
| Date: | Title-Artist(s): |
| 12/3/25: |
Cook-Lettuce The Leaks-Lil Baby |
| 12/5/25: |
A To H-NoFX Aurora Gory Alice-Letters To Cleo (reissue) Wholesale Meads and Fish-Letters To Cleo (reissue) Love & Fear-Zac Brown Band There Is Nothing In The Dark Which Isn't There In The Light-Tom Smith (the editors) Stories Of A Stranger (20th Anniversary Edition)-O.A.R. Live From Glastonbury (A BBC Recording)-Olivia Rodrigo Labcabincalifornia-The Pharcyde (30th Anniversary edition) The Last Ship-Sting (expanded edition) The Collection-Ultravox (deluxe edition) Stories Of A Stranger-O.A.R. (20th Anniversary Edition) The Factory Singles-Happy Mondays Memento Mori: Mexico City-Depeche Mode Mr. Bad Guy-Freddie Mercury (vinyl reissue) The 60's Singles-Judy Collins Live God-Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds The Navy Album-Roddy Ricch Labcabincalifornia-The Pharcyde (30th Anniversary Edition) Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere-Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (jeremy allen white) Passages: Artists In Solidarity With Immigrants, Refugees and Asylum Seekers-Various Artists |
| 12/12/25: |
Sea Songs EP-Dorothy The Great Escape (30th Anniversary Edition)-blur The Crown Jewels-Andy Bell (erasure) Year Of The Goat-Fucked Up Wish You Were Here 50-Pink Floyd Live After Death-Iron Maiden (vinyl reissue) The Best Of The Band-The Band (reissue) Born To Do It-Craig David (25th Anniversary Edition) Telekon-Gary Numan (Deluxe Expanded Edition) Wisconsin Death Trip-Static-X (25th Anniversary Edition) What's The Story Morning Glory?-Oasis (7" vinyl singles box) title tbd-Nas and DJ Premier |
| 12/19/26: | Peter Criss-Peter Criss |
| 1/1/26: | Stranger Things: Soundtrack From The Netflix Series, Season 5-Original Soundtrack |
| 1/9/26: |
AB-Alter Bridge Selling A Vibe-The Cribs Quicksand Heart-Jenny On Holiday (Jenny Hollingsworth from Lets Eat Gramma) |
| 1/16/26: |
Live From Suffocate City-The Funeral Portrait After Hours-Richard Marx Before I Forget-The Kid Laroi |
| 1/23/26: |
Redux EP-Cat Power I'm Your Vampire-Tom Hamilton (joe russo's almost dead) World's Gone Wrong-Lucinda Williams Spirit Of Eden-Talk Talk (vinyl reissue) Not Like Eerybody Else-The Damned How Did I Get Here?-Louis Tomlinson Megadeth-Megadeth Symphonic Live-Yes The Power Station-The Power Station (robert palmer/ andy & john taylor of duran duran/ tony thompson of chic supergroup 40th Anniversary 3CD Edition) |
| 1/30/26: |
Wormslayer-Kula Shaker The Complete Live at the Plugged Nickel 1965-Miles Davis Howl-Black Rebel Motorcycle Club (20th Anniversary Deluxe Box) |
| 2/6/26: |
Sunday Best-Nick Jonas BRITPOP-Robbie Williams Tenterhooks-Silversun Pickups Normal Isn't-Puscifer Weapons Of Beauty-Jay Buchanan (rival sons singer solo debut) Tales From The Topographic Oceans-Yes (Super Deluxe Edition) |
| 2/13/26: |
Prizefighter-Mumford & Sons Wuthering Heights-Charli XCX What A Time To Be Alive-The Lone Bellow We Mean It, Man!-Gogol Bordello Look Who's Back-The Nude Party A.R.S.O.N.-Story Of The Year |
| 2/20/26: |
Listen Up!-New Found Glory Luck...or something-Hilary Duff Country Sides-Band Of Heathens My Ego Told Me To-Leigh-Anne (little mix singer) |
| 2/27/26: |
Andrew Bird & The Mysterious Production Of Eggs (20th
Anniversary Edition)-Andrew Bird Forever Yours: The Farewell Performance-Chuck Corea The Great Satan-Rob Zombie |
| 3/6/26: |
Whatever's Clever-Charlie Puth Trixies-Squeeze Awake-Godsmack (25th Anniversary Edition) |
| 3/13/26: | Only You Left-The Orielles |
| 3/20/26 |
The Mountain-Gorillaz Boxing The Compass-Haircut 100 |
| 04/10/26: |
Hope And Fury-Joe Jackson Dopes To Infinity-Monster Magnet (vinyl reissue) God Says No-Monster Magnet (vinyl reissue) Powertrip-Monster Magnet (vinyl reissue) Superjudge-Monster Magnet (vinyl reissue) |
| 4/17/26: | Hotlife-Tyga |
| 4/24/26: | Toy With Me-Meghan Trainor |
| 5/1/26: | Sweat-Melanie C (spice girls) |
| 5/15/26: | Hell Awaits-Slayer (40th Anniversary Edition) |
History Of Local
Releases from Binghamton Area Artists:
|
Date: |
Title-Artist(s): |
|
2014: |
Honest Company-Zarni
de Wet
My Story-Marv
Williams
Vertigo-Mobday
The Age Of Entitlement-Lo-Fi
Resistance
RevelationNow-RevelationNow
Ashley Lux-Ashley
Lux (EP)
The Art Of Feeling-Jilly
May
Castrofate-Castrofate
Do Bad Things-Peaches
And Crime
Looking Back: Our American Irish
Souls-The
Burns Sisters
Binghamton Music, Vol. #1-Various
Artists |
|
2013: |
No More Dream-Chad
J. Dean
Are We Rollin'-Esquela
Obscuriosity-Stephen
Lawrenson
10 Metaphors For Love-Brenna
Swanger
Nowhere But Down-Woodshed
Prophets
Milkweed EP-Milkweed
Driftwood-Driftwood
Light Up The World-Lila Ignite |
|
2012: |
Chalk Lines-Lo-Fi
Resistance
Zarni (ep)-Zarni
de Wet
Erratica-Anubis Spire
The Hills Of Ithaca-The Burns
Sisters
Inside (ep)-Red Spring
(randy mcstine & michael
wu side project)
Live At Black Bear Winery-Randy
McStine
(Vol. #1 of the official
Randy McStine bootleg
series) |
|
2011: |
The Woodshed Prophets-The
Woodshed Prophets
Go Dutch-The
Benjamin Raubinsons
Feel The Beat-Gary
Wilson
Forgotten Lovers-Gary
Wilson
(vinyl only version of
2003 CD)
Live At The Belmar-Yolk
(live DVD from reunion
show)
Systematic Suicide-Castrofate |
|
2010: |
Intelligent Design-Monkeys
Typing
A Deeper Breathe-Lo-Fi
Resistance
Friday Night Lights-Zarni
de Wet
The Beginning, Pt. II-Mobday
Diagonal-Lukus
Wells
Meridian Voice-Meridian
Voice (feat. Randy McStine)
Electric Endicott-Gary
Wilson |
|
2009: |
Somewhere Else-Stephen
Lawrenson
(formerly of "Beard of
Bees")
Graveyard Shift (ep)-try.fail.repeat
Mirror-Dena
The Owl Has Landed-Esquela
(not sure of exact
release date)? |
|
2008: |
Beyond The Gray-Jared
Campbell
Lisa Wants To Talk To You-Gary
Wilson
Enough (ep) -Adri
Young
Lost Discoveries 1998-2008-Anubis
Spire |
|
2007: |
Got A Good Thing Goin'-The
Blue J's |
|
2006: |
The Way You Look At Me (ep)-Dena
Children Of A Foreign Faith-Anubis
Spire |
|
2005: |
Hoboin'-Pinecone
Fletcher
Anderson And I-Jared
Campbell
(live)
Guitarizm-Randy McStine |
|
2004: |
Rest Out-Jared
Campbell
Mary Had Brown Hair-Gary
Wilson
Back To Abydos-Anubis Spire |
|
2003: |
Direction-Audrey's
Stone
Where It All Begins-Jared
Campbell
Forgotten Lovers-Gary
Wilson
Direction-Audrey’s Stone |
|
2002: |
You Think You Really Know Me-Gary
Wilson
(reissue)
Second Shot-Randy McStine |
|
2001: |
Free Little Bird-Marie
Burns
Somewhere Near Itaska-Dirt
Farm |
|
2000: |
OLD LIONS (in the world
of snarling sheep)-Anubis
Spire
(debut) |
|
1999: |
Shredding Skin-Randy McStine
(?-not sure of correct
year) |
|
1998: |
Baby To Baby-Jimmyjohn
McCabe (yolk) |
|
1997: |
Just What The Doctor Ordered-Frostbit
Blue
Individually Twisted-Yolk
In This World-The Burns Sisters |
|
1996: |
Tradition: Holiday Songs Old And New-The
Burns Sisters |
|
1995: |
Caution: Social Prescription May Cause
Side Effects-Yolk
Ice Breaker-Frostbit
Blue
Close To Home-The Burns Sisters |
|
1993: |
Yolk-Yolk
Songs From The Heart-The Burns
Sisters |
|
1989: |
Endangered Species-The
Burns Sisters |
|
1986: |
The Burns Sisters-The
Burns Sisters |
|
1977: |
You Think You Really Know Me-Gary
Wilson |
...got an album by a Binghamton area artist to add? Please send your submission to: Info@Radio2Point0.com.
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ALBUM REVIEW: Nowhere But Down-Woodshed Prophets
---If The Woodshed Prophets self-titled debut was their shot at proving themselves to be a viable recording entity, and not just a cover band, then "Nowhere But Down," sees the band getting more comfortable with the place they've carved out.
----They refer to their style as "Power Twang," so with that in mind this album is a little more twang and a little less power, while their first disc was a little more power. That's not such a bad thing. The songs are still strong, but while they rock a bit less, they are still celebratory. This is closer to a good time party album. It gets a bit mellow at the end, but what party doesn't?
---"Nowhere But Down" opens with the raucous, party anthem "Moonshiners Ball," but from that high, descends into an almost happy, but not quite "let's get drunk to forget our broken hearts" ballad, that would make Jimmy Buffett proud. Also, this song has something that you would think more of the "Prophets" songs would have had...steel guitar.
---"Dancing In The Kitchen" is sentimental, but not sappy, with a hook that radio and DJ's in particular should love. It's an Alabama style ballad, with a little boogie at the end. Too bad it's corporate managers that make the decisions these days. This has a chance to be a legitimate hit.
---"Can’t Take It" gives a bouyant voice to bubbling-under frustration. This mid-to-uptempo melody, driving harmonica and vocal harmonies almost make frustration seem like a good thing, but the desperate vocals betray the songs good time feel, and echo it's true intent.
---"Jesus Saves" gives voice to beer-goggles mentality by putting us in a car with a stoned, cigarette smoking and drunk driver, more worried about being busted by the cops than dying in a car crash on the highway, because he knows he'll go to heaven in the crash. The song doesn't mock this mindset, or attempt to judge it, but it is scary because most people know someone just like this guy.
---Musically "Sandy" brings together The Eagles and Bruce Springsteen-esque riffs that make for an excellent piece of working man's rock. The opening alone melds an "Already Gone" style riff, with the E-Street Bands' signature chugging rhythm section's style, while paying tribute to a barmaid who stays cool.
---"Bottle Of Whiskey" finds the band breaking out the steel guitar again, in a jamming piece of country rock during verses, that morphs into rockin' country during the chorus, it not only works, but it has one of the best sing-along choruses of the whole disc.
---"Ladybug" isn't about a bug at all, but a woman who needs to "fly on home," 'cause her husbands out drinkin', messing around and her kids are alone, sung from the perspective of friend that maybe wants to be something more. It's a bit sad, but lovely, too.
---"My Front Door," is an ode to those who can't stop their mind from racing, featuring Eagles-like harmonies. It's a great hangover recovery song.
---"Two Steps Closer" is a rousing anthem for trailer trash in a bad relationship.
---"Lorraine" is little bit of Texas boogie and blues that sounds like it was written for Z.Z. Top.
---I suppose that a band that plays as many country bars as The Woodshed Prophets, had to record a song like the album's finale, "Land Of The Fourth Of July." It is a smoldering, minimalistic piece...just keyboards, piano and two part harmony. No percussion whatsoever, but doesn't the opening piano part remind you of "Strange Magic," by ELO?
---"Nowhere But Down" shows the "Prophets" a little more mature, a little more comfortable, but still a lot of fun. It's a great ride for country rockers of any age!
---Dr. Dave 10/12/13
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ALBUM REVIEW: Ten Metaphors For Love-Brenna Swanger:
---At age 15, most teenagers are trying to keep up with their homework, school sports or the latest trends on YouTube. Not Brenna Swanger. At age 15 she's made an album, and surprise, it's a credible album. Now let's put this in perspective...this is an album that features songs from the point-of-view of a teenage girl, by a teenage girl for teenage girls. There are songs about love, losing at love, victimized by love, love fantasies, etc. That being said, this is a well crafted pop album. Swanger didn't overstep her abilities...she kept things simple. Most songs feature her vocals (overdubs for harmony and/ or effect here and there.) either a keyboard or guitar, or both, and electronic drums, but she wrote all the lyrics, contributed on the music and of course sang on everything. Some songs feature some violins and there are a few guest appearances, for example a smokin' guitar solo, by her guitar teacher and Rooster & the Roadhouse Horns guitarist, Paul Knapik on "It's You," and even a somewhat out of place verse of rap over the bridge of "A Million Lies," by Joey C. Mary Falvo also plays lead guitar on "Victim Of Your Love."
Overall, this album reminds me of Tiffany. I know I'm dating myself, but this sounds like an album that Tiffany could have made back in the late '80's. Maybe Brenna should start singing in malls. That Swanger accomplished this at her age and contributed as much as she did is amazing. It speaks to her abilities not just as a singer, but a songwriter, too. Most artists at this level are performing songs by other artists. That she already has ten originals on an album is nothing short of incredible. Let's not sell her strong, clear vocals and decent vocal range short either.
My favs on this album are the ballad, "Lullaby," followed by "Be There," "Invisible Love," anyone of which could be a single, but "Lullaby" in particular, is the most mature and broadly appealing song in this package.
Can't wait to hear how her abilities grow on her next album.
---Dr. Dave 9/28/13.
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CD REVIEW: Obscuriosity-Stephen Lawrenson
Lawrensons third album is another collection of smart, jangly alt-pop, that will remind you at times of ELO, or John Lennon's post-Beatles solo work. The opening track, "Your Karma," is especially Jeff Lynne-esque with it's heavy reverb and harmonies. The title track is bouncy and you'll find yourself amazed at how many words actually rhyme with "Obscuriosity." "Edge Of The World" features a more laid back groove that owes a lot to The Beatles, as does "Words To Say," and "Small White House." Lawrenson obviously wears his influences on his sleeve.
"2nd Time Around" sees the production value and the reverb stripped back a bit revealing a sound closer to Toad The Wet Sprocket, than ELO and perhaps a lot closer to the real Stephen Lawrenson. The songs remain irresistibly pop and extremely catchy.
On "Ordinary" the production value is upped a little on what is possibly the second best song on the album.
"Forever And A Day" is a straight forward love song, which features some nice mandolin and/or banjo work. The drumming is minimized with emphasis on picking and lyrics with harmonies for accent. This could be a hit pop song.
The production value comes roaring back on "Thank You," and on the albums conclusion, "Pale Yellow," which reminds me of the way that ELO ended their landmark album, "Out Of The Blue"...with a soft yet bombastic goodbye.
The songs are extremely catchy and excessive listening could lead to whistling, or even singing along. Lawrenson is clearly one guy who can write a hook.
Originally published: 9/21/13
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Album Review:
Band:
Esquela
Album name: "Are We Rolling?"
Release Date: 6/14/13
Esquela is a band that plays country rock...which always strikes me odd, because with a name like Esquela, it seems like they should be a mariachi band, but forget the name for a moment, forget that it's really just a nickname for the bands founder and get into their sound. This is a country rock band, with a blistering female singer, who sounds like a cross between Dale Krantz Rossington and Linda Ronstadt, and musically the band is tight, with a sound that recalls some of Rolling Stones best country rockers, but the songs on "Are We Rolling?" seem written right out of a conservative right-wing playbook that would make Dick Cheney proud, denouncing welfare on "Free Bird," (which was replaced over a decade ago by President Clinton's workfare program), Union corruption (on "Too Far Left"--as if the left are the only ones capable of abusing power.), and the sin of laziness on "My Friend." There are some songs on the album that strike a more broad appeal, like "Free Beer," which addresses religious intolerance..."Frozen Chosin" heralds Korean War vets..."Phone Home" gives a cheater the heave-ho..."Genesee Fever" references the Loomis Gang in the 1800's and is one of only two songs on the album that don't seem to have a political agenda...and the closing track (the other track that is not political) is the classic "Tossin' And Turnin' " originally made popular in the 60's by Bobby Lewis.
This band was built to be a good time rockin' blues band, and the songs are uptempo and jangly, but the lyrics just appeal to a narrow audience. It'll probably play well in small town conservative bars and pubs, but it may have a hard time finding a wider audience. Too bad, because this band can play and given the right songs, they could break out nationally. Singing about religion and politics usually doesn't help, in fact that's why the best songwriters try to write songs so that they're open to interpretation, so that they'll appeal to listeners across the country and around the world. So, consider this album a lesson in writing lyrics. I'm hoping that on the next album, the lyrics will live up to the band, because this band really can play...they just need songs that live up to the caliber of these fine musicians. They need their own, "Honky Tonk Woman," for example. Not that they need to cover that particular song, they just need a song that will do for them, what that song did for The Stones. They just need songs that reflect the attitude that this band evokes...a good rockin' good drinkin' good time, and when they find those kinds of songs, I hope they'll let me review that album, too. In fact, I'm looking forward to it.
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