Browsing Tag

Roots Rock

Imbibe with Dr Todd’s latest scuzzed up blues-rock hit, Give Me a Shot

Austin’s scuzz rock troubadours Dr Todd got intoxicatingly punch drunk in their latest off-kilter hit, Give Me a Shot. The riotously clever cocktail of no wave and blues-rock is potent enough to rival the frenetic fever of the Cramps and the Legendary Shack Shakers, but all reminiscences are extremely fleeting in the hedonistic anthem, which unravels to the tune of heavy distortion, resonator guitars, rock n roll attitude and whiskey fumes.

Based on Give Me a Shot alone, if you have the chance to see Dr Todd live; take it. Or at the very least, imbibe in the high energy catharsis.

Give Me a Shot hit the airwaves in May 2022 through Romgod Records. It is now available to stream on SoundCloud.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

The Rochester roots-rock renegade Brian Lindsay has delivered the ultimate riff-licked ‘Revival’

Ahead of his fourth album, Revival, the NYC roots-rocker, Brian Lindsay, teased the modernity-weary, whiskey-soaked soul within it by giving us a sneak peek of the title single, which throws you right back to the time when lighters were held in the air instead of iPhones.

His virtuosic yet humble approach to songwriting is one of the best escapes from the 21st-century that you could possibly ask for. Between the deep yearning romanticism and the swoon-worthy soaring guitar licks, you get the affirmation that Brian Lindsay is the real revival deal. As much as he taps into Springsteen and Ryan Adams-Esque high energy melodicism, he leans into his signature rugged yet smooth intoxicating aural juxtaposition style.

Revival was officially released on May 20th. You can check it out for yourselves by heading over to Spotify or via his official website.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Alexander Craig makes blues-rock bop-worthy in Atmosphere We’re Under

Alexander Craig

The Minnesota-based producer, singer-songwriter and prodigal son of rock n roll, Alexander Craig, has teased what’s to come in his upcoming album by giving us a sneak peek of the standout single, Atmosphere We’re Under. You’d be hard-pressed to find a scuzzier bop-worthy feat of blues-rock.

Atmosphere We’re Under is wild with its cheeky, punch-drunk energy that contains the same bite as your average ego-fuelled track. Yet, after stepping out from behind his successful aural alter-ego, Crankshaft, Alexander Craig made a positive stylistic move that radiates through his up-beat lyrics and gasoline-soaked high-energy grooves. The standout track is every bit as hooky and infectious as any of Josh Homme’s many endeavours, but with Alexander Craig, there’s roots-deep respect for rock n roll.

Alexander Craig is going old-school with his debut blues-rock album; it will only be available via CD and Vinyl. After being teased by the roots-rich soul in Atmosphere We’re Under, he can definitely take my money.

Check out Alexander Craig via his official website, Facebook and Instagram.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Chuck Solo – Only time remains: A roots-rock effigy to love lost and unrelenting emotion

Only time remains by Chuck Solo

Sydney-based singer-songwriter, Chuck Solo, has released his roots-deep country pop-rock single, Only time remains, which runs through as a bitter-sweet effigy to love lost and unrelenting emotion to the tune of bluesy, choppy guitar chords and shimmering reverb.

Each note is plucked on his Strat by hand to boost the folky twang in the minimalist roots-rock track that allows his soulful yearning vocals to resound. Chris Isaak and Neil Diamond fans will instantly feel familiar with Only time remains through the stridently candid delivery of the sharp lyrics. Yet, Chuck Solo didn’t fall short on experimentalism with the sublime sonic layering of Only time remains. Which is accompanied by the equally as psychedelically sweet B-side single, Holding on (too tight). The crooned vocals and just as affectionate choral chords are enough to test your soul capacity’s to feel.

Only time remains is now available to stream and purchase via Bandcamp.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

The strong love that broke suddenly: ‘Will You Ever’ from Brisbane local Jack Bratt changes direction on excellent new single

With a smoothly salted Roots-Rock flow to empty all of our doubts into the dusty drain, this is a melodic daydream that is about that sweet love-love that was so perfect-but changed so suddenly. Australian singer-songwriter Jack Bratt is back with a new style for our thirsty ears, and he is on top form with his latest release ‘Will You Ever‘.

His voice is so calming and you feel totally at ease right away, the mellow soundscapes are like a summers day on the beach by yourself. I feel like a feeling of relief but also doubt, you miss that vibrant and happy love that consumed you life. The song shivers throughout, the sonic waves of a sad story is constant all the way through as you gaze out the window.

With a style that keeps you in the edge of your seat all the way, his voice is hauntingly honest and the cosmic creation here is so intricately formatted, to tell us a story of heartbreak, that so many of us will relate to. A love that was going so well you thought they were the one, so many memories stored up on the hard-drive in your brain. To delete these will so very hard to accomplish, so you will have to store them elsewhere for now, as you know you need to move on. That is the only way to grow and blossom again.

Brisbane musician Jack Bratt has changed direction with his music career and his voice simmers so sweetly here on ‘Will You Ever‘. This is the message of sadness when there was something so beautiful, and the journey to replenish your heart again has started. You know you need to fly free again, and unshackle those regrets to open yourself to new love.

Hear this song with a real story to tell on Spotify.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen