Today’s Cool Album of the Day (#747 in the Series) is The Temper Trap, The Temper Trap The Temper Trap, an Australian band with a hugely successful debut album. After the release of their summer single “Sweet Disposition,” it became one of the most popular albums of 2009. Everyone knows that the second album is always the hardest, and unfortunately, The Temper Trap’s latest self-titled release reinforces this reality. Reaching number 17 in the UK album charts after its release on the 21st May 2012, this 12-track certainly didn’t do badly in terms of popularity. But, we can’t judge music by numbers. With the opening track “Need Your Love” reminding me of some sort of sci-fi movie theme...

  Today’s Cool album of the Day (#744 in the Series) is John Fullbright, From The Ground Up. (Blue Dirt Records) I would venture to say that most of you have never heard of John nor this album as of yet and  I think that’s a big yet. I happened to catch a review of the record on NPR’s website. When I see a record review that mentions the names Woody Guthrie, Townes Van Zandt and Randy Newman in one sentence – I kind of had to take notice. But I don’t want you to think that this is a record that doesn’t stand on its own merits. To say that Fullbright was just relying on those influences would...

  Today’s Cool Album of the Day (#739 in the Series) is JT Coldfire, Always and Never  (Crazy Sun Publishing) The first thing that hits you between the ears when you play the first song from the new JT Coldfire album, Always and Never,  is the finely crafted Chuck Berry Inspired “Get it on (In the Back of the Bar)”, a song that grabs your ears and staples them to the speaker. The second thing you quickly realize in listening to the whiskey soaked vocals and the somewhat bawdry lyrics, is that in Coldfire, you are in the process of being introduced to a pure and genuine “diamond in the rough” musical find, who adds some much needed “hair...

  Today’s Cool Album of the Day (#737 in the Series) is The 44s, Americana  (Rip Cat Records) Not since Rickey Henderson has there been a better lead-off batter than “Hanging Tree,” the opening track from the new 44s’ Album, Americana, recently released on Rip Cat Records.  The song, “Hanging Tree,” tears into it loud and proud, and shares the same DNA with the ZZ Top classic, “La Grange.” The in-your-face guitar riffs, courtesy of Johnny Main, also the lead vocalist, and the dirty blues harmonica blasts of Tex “The Weeping Willow” Nakamura set the blueprint quite nicely, and provide an appealing first impression of this excellent record for the listener, many of whom are experiencing this band for...

  Today’s Cool Album of the Day (#736 in the Series) is The Blasters, Fun on Saturday Night (Rip Cat Records) The Blasters are quite simply a great band, and when you consider their longevity, body of work, and influence on the musical landscape (many consider them to be the first Alternative Country band), they should be right there on the Mount Rushmore of greatest American bands, mentioned in the same iconic breath as The Beach Boys, Creedence Clearwater Revival, The Allman Brothers, or any other band you would care to mention. The fact that they are not in the Rock & Roll hall of fame is an over-site worthy of a senate investigation. Taking time out from touring,...

  Today’s Cool Album of the Day (#735 in the Series) is Beachwood Sparks, The Tarnished Gold (Sub Pop)  I have to confess, Beachwood Sparks were a new name to me but it turns out they’ve actually been around before and that this is a bit of a comeback album for them. About ten years ago they released 2 albums and an EP then went their separate ways, now they have returned in fine fine style, with one of the albums of the year so far. Musically we’re firmly in the territory frequented by the likes of The Byrds, Flying Burrito Brothers, the late 60’s/ early 70’s vibe but there’s also a distinct hint of later British bands like...

  Today’s Cool Album of the Day (#734 in the Series) is The Beach Boys, That’s Why God Made the Radio The first thing that comes to mind when discussing a new Beach Boys album is a not so pleasant retro-flashback to the last record of original material under the Beach Boys brand name that was released almost 16 years ago called Summer in Paradise.  This release gave us the first glimpse of what it would be like if Mike Love hijacked the band, kidnapped Brian Wilson, and attempted to recreate the surf-opera sounds of summer without the genius production and arranging fairy dust provided by the undisputed leader of the band.  The result was expectantly bad, with the...

  Today’s Cool Album of the Day (#732 in the Series) is This Providence, Brier (OK, EP Actually) This Providence was a band that had always been written down in my little book of artists to check out, but for one reason or another, they kept getting passed over. So when I ran my eyes down the openers for Go Radio’s Lucky Street tour, the name rang a bell but I didn’t think much of it. I had bought the ticket on a whim anyway, needing a break from midterms and wanting a chance to explore another area of Boston. The show was at a tiny venue that’s quickly turning into my favorite on the east coast – TT...

  Today’s Cool Album of the Day (#731 in the Series) is Walk the Moon, Walk the Moon Any album whose first track is called “Quesadilla” is a winner in my book. But Walk the Moon go beyond wit and banter to follow through with the clap-happy promise of their self-titled record. It only takes eleven tracks to establish themselves as front runners in the sometimes-stagnant pop scene. They’ve managed to balance a crazy tour schedule, including the SXSW festival, supporting Panic at the Disco and Weezer, and headlining Lollapalooza. They recently played David Letterman (you can check it out below) and did so with an unprecedented energy and appeal. On top of all of this, they continue to...

    Today’s Cool Album of the Day (#727 in the Series) is Little Feat, Rooster Rag  Little Feat has been on the proud highway since 1969, their first release in nine years is a collection of good ole Americana music that may be appreciated by baby boomers only, just because they have been flying under the top 40 radar for 43 years. And of course some music historians will say, “It’s not the same without Lowell George” and since the passing of every drummers hero, Richie Hayward, how could they possibly go on. No, it’s not the same, but the boys are still getting it done. When I first heard a Rooster Rag preview, I skimmed through, looking for...