Pokey LaFarge
Rock Bottom Rhapsody
(New West Records)

Through sensitive arrangements, deftly interpreted by top-drawer accompanists, a common man of intellect and weathered heart shines spectacularly. 

Recommended: "Lucky Sometimes," "Bluebird," "End Of My Rope," "Fuck Me Up," "Fallen Angel," "Ain't Comin' Home," "Lost In the Crowd."

Videos: 

"Lucky Sometimes"
"Bluebird"
"Fuck Me Up"
"Fallen Angel" (Audio only)

Facebook page

Bandcamp page

New West ordering

Amazon ordering (12" LP)

Johnny Jetson
Make Your Move
(MinnieApple)

That Glam icons' imprints are manifest is okay, because they're splendid paragons. And they inform unobtrusively while ceding significant creative real estate to Jetson's own gripping flights. And soar aloft, songs do. Directness, melodicism, and vibrancy of which one never tires.

Recommended: "Knocked Out," "Love Me For My Car," "Mouth Made For Rock 'n' Roll," "Hang Around With You,"  "My Baby Likes To Rock," "Get High Rock Steady," "Make Your Move."

Videos: 

"Love Me For My Car"
"Make Your Move"
"My Baby Likes To Rock"

Facebook page

Bandcamp page

Spotify page

Atomic Leopards
20's Rockabilly
5-track EP
(self)

In crisply fashionable raiment, familiar stylings shout evergreen relevance.

Recommended: "Girl In Black," "I Just Wanna Stay With You," "Aquesta Nit," "Put Your Lips," "Rockin' Fix."

Videos:

Album preview "Girl In Black"
"I Just Wanna Stay With You"

Facebook page

Apple music

Spotify

McKinley James
"Who Will the Next Fool Be?"
"Thunderbolt"
singles
(fun-guy records)

Hip-beyond-years 16 year-old impressively stokes eternal flame. 


"Who Will the Next Fool Be?"
"Thunderbird"

Facebook page

fun-guy Facebook page

Left Hand Black 
s/t  (Wolverine)

Ramones-fleet horrorpunk redolent of era when stylists leveraged actual hooks into grisliness. Shares with Forest Hills brudders addictive fun/storm song constructions.

Recommended: "Behind the Green Door," "Let's Scare Jessica To Death,"  "Army of Darkness," "Murder On My Mind," "28 Days Later," "Devil In Miss Jones," "Jaws," "Long Live the New Flesh."

Videos: 

"Behind the Green Door"

"Let's Scare Jessica To Death"

"Murder On My Mind"


Band site

Facebook page

Bandcamp page

Wolverine Records

Red Hot Riot
Lady Of the Night
MP3 single
(self)

Lighthearted Cockney effervescence scarcely glimpsed since Tim and the lads made a circuit. RHR recently signed with Western Star; a full-length effort can be expected.

Video "Lady Of the Night" 


Facebook page

Merch ordering page

Amazon MP3 ordering page

Justine's Black Threads
Cheap Vacation
(self/Run Bar Records)

It's reassuring to know that, despite howlin' winds' buffeting, a disc like this unassuming country trio one waits with promised comfort.

Recommended: "He Never Reminds Me of You," "He Stopped Laughing At My Jokes," "You and Me Against You and Me."

Videos: 

"He Never Reminds Me of You"
"You and Me Against You and Me"

Facebook page

CD Baby 

iHeart.com