'TheNews' - R.E.M., ASIA, Marcus King, more!

Watch TJR and Robert Kinsler discuss the latest music headlines on "TheNews," including news and release info on R.E.M., The Rolling Stones, The Beach Boys, Marcus King, Pete Yorn and more! 

Watch the episode HERE

New Music: Pete Yorn, Linda Hoover, Spygenius, Hank Williams, Jr.

Songcraft and style take center stage on four new must-hear releases.

Artist: Pete Yorn

Title: Hawaii (Shelly Music)

You might like if you enjoy: Pete Yorn, The Postal Service, R.E.M.

Tell me more: Singer-songwriter Pete Yorn is back with another fantastic batch of tuneful and enticing folk rock originals via Hawaii. Co-produced by Yorn with Jackson Phillips, the 10-track album is a phenomenal return for the New Jersey native. Standouts include the driving melodic opener "Elizabeth Taylor," sweeping "Never Go" with its burgeoning melodic build, wistful "'Til The End," shimmering dream pop gem "Also Roses" and luxurious closer "Stay Away." The piano-anchored "Ransom" is particularly affecting, Yorn's yearning vocals capturing his emotional pain on one of the disc's high points. Information: PeteYorn.com. 

Artist: Linda Hoover

Title: I Mean To Shine (Omnivore Recordings)

You might like if you enjoy: Nicolette Larson, Crosby Stills & Nash 

Tell me more: More than 50 years after Linda Hoover's debut album (I Mean To Shine) was recorded in the summer of 1970, the impressive album is finally receiving its commercial release in 2022 (an exclusive vinyl edition was issued on June 18; the audio CD and digital versions are coming June 24). Hoover was only 19 when she cut the album, but the ambitious young singer-songwriter was assisted by first-time producer Gary Katz and a rising songwriting and arranging duo by the name of Walter Becker and Donald Fagen (who would soon find fame leading Steely Dan). Not only were four of the album's tracks penned by Becker and Fagen, but future Steely Dan members Denny Dias and Jeff "Skunk" Baxter were among the players on the recordings. Hoover has a beautiful voice that resonates with the diverse material ranging from '70s pop ("I Mean to Shine," "Turn My Friend Away") and uptempo folk rock ("Roll Back the Meaning," "City Mug") to affecting acoustic ballads ("Autumn," "Jones"). The genre-defying "Roaring of the Lamb" and Stephen Stills-penned "4 + 20" are especially poignant. Information: OmnivoreRecordings.com. 

Artist: Spygenius

Title: Jobbernowl (Big Stir Records)

You might like if you enjoy: The Monkees, The Who, The Hollies

Tell me more: Listening to Spygenius' glorious Jobbernowl is to be transported back to the 1960s. The latest album from the celebrated Canterbury, England-based quartet is a bona fide thrill for lovers of top-tier songcraft, nuanced musicianship, lyrical depth and stylish retro-leaning rock. A follow-up to the foursome's 2020 double LP Man on the Sea and 2021's album of marvelous covers (Spygenius Blow Their Covers), the 11-track album finds the band delivering a mix of propulsive garage rockers, sophisticated baroque pop and timeless power pop — all bolstered by soaring vocal harmonies. The hard charging opener "I Dig Your New Robes, Pierre!," bewitching Baroque rocker "2020 Revision," lovely "All That Is Solid Melts Into Air," power pop swoop "Mandy Rice-Davies Applies" and immersive "Metamorphosis" collectively showcase a band that deserves to be heard far and wide. Spygenius features singer-guitarist/chief songwriter Peter Watts, keyboard player Matt Byrne, drummer Alan Cannings and bassist Ruth Rogers. Information: BigStirRecords.com. 

Artist: Hank Williams, Jr.

Title: Rich White Honky Blues (Easy Eye Sound)

You might like if you enjoy: Hank Williams, Jr., Merle Haggard, Waylon Jennings, Robert Johnson, Lightnin' Hopkins

Tell me more: On his latest album Rich White Honky Blues, country legend Hank Williams, Jr. fully explores the blues with an authenticity and love sure to please his long-time fans as well as blues lovers. Featuring a mix of originals as well as covers from genre heroes ranging from Robert Johnson and Muddy Waters to Lightnin' Hopkins (the latter who used to visit Williams' family home when he was growing up), the album was produced by Dan Auerbach (lead singer and guitarist with The Black Keys) who also contributes his musical talents on the disc. Highlights abound on Rich White Honky Blues, including on the acoustic Delta-styled opener ".44 Special Blues" (penned by the aforementioned Johnson), rollicking "Georgia Women" (featuring some terrific slide guitar work from Kenny Brown), the county-inflused "Short Haired Woman" and buoyant "Fireman Ring The Bell." My favorite track is the Williams-penned "I Like It When It's Stormy," a Southern rock-meets-blues bolt where Williams sings "I like it when it's stormy / because it reminds me of my life." The album is an outstanding excuse to rediscover Williams. Information: EasyEyeSound.com. 

Robert Kinsler

Sights and Sounds: Michael Ubaldini, Pete Yorn, STYX, The Killers

Lots of super cool news to share about a wide range of great artists... Robert Kinsler

Michael Ubaldini celebrates reissue of 'Austin Texas Overnight For A Year' today in celebration of his birthday 

Michael Ubaldini / Photo credit: Jesse Navarro

Acclaimed singer-songwriter Michael Ubaldini has reissued his timeless single "Austin Texas Overnight For A Year" from his 2008 masterwork Portable Record Player today (Tuesday, Aug. 24, 2021). 

Ubaldini recently shared a post on why the track — along with the newly-posted official music video available to see HERE — is being reissued today. You can also stream the memorable song via SoundCloud HERE.

"The song is being reissued pre-album (reissue) because it has become for some reason extremely popular with new music listeners and younger songwriters and musicians — some who request it live at shows we play together," Ubaldini said.

Ubaldini, who celebrates his birthday today, noted that the song's descriptive lyrics come from a seven-page poem he honed down to fit into the Americana-meets-rock sound of the song, which fuses a roots-rock vibe with a bridge bolstered by Beach Boys-styled harmonies.

For more information on Ubaldini, visit his official website HERE.

Singer-songwriter Pete Yorn celebrates 15th anniversary of 'Nightcrawler' via Veeps livestream on August 29, 2021

Pete Yorn’s next livestream is set for Aug. 29, 2021; the artist will be performing his third record, “soothing and vociferous” (PopMatters) Nightcrawler in full. 

Get tickets for the show, plus pre and post show zooms at peteyorn.veeps.com

On the upcoming show, Yorn says:

I picked up a guitar the other day here at the house. The first song that I reflexively started to play was “The Man”. I wondered when that record had come out. When I looked it up, the answer led me here...

This Sunday is the 15th anniversary of the release of my third record, “Nightcrawler”. To celebrate, on its “birthday”, August 29th, at 3 p.m. PT/6 p.m. ET,  I will be performing that record from start to finish from my home via Veeps. I have a lot of memories connected to these songs and that moment in time. Looking forward to sharing them with you. Xx PY

STYX teams up with Voodoo Brewing Co. for creation of signature lager, Oh Mama

 

AVAILABLE NOW AT SELECT BARS AND GIANT EAGLE; NATIONWIDE DISTRIBUTION VIA TAVOUR COMING SOON

August 23, 2021 -- “Time to play ‘Renegade!’”

 

The smash hit by legendary and multi-Platinum rockers STYX has become the adopted theme song of the Pittsburgh Steelers that’s heard during the third quarter at every home game as part of a video compilation of defensive plays. It helps to boost the energy of both players and fans. As soon as those renowned opening words are sung, “Oh Mama…,” the crowd knows what’s coming and is instantly exhilarated.  

 

Now, that connection between STYX and Steeler Nation gets even more solidified, as they team up with Voodoo Brewing Co. to bring fans their latest creation, Oh Mama, a Traditional Golden American Lager especially brewed for their fans in the Steel City. 

 

Sold as a four-pack of 16 oz. cans or as 50 liter kegs, Oh Mama is currently available at Voodoo’s corporate pubs and franchised locations, online for Pennsylvania and Washington, D.C home delivery, Tavour via their app (using the code “renegade”) for other states throughout the U.S., and in the greater Erie, PA (Allegheny Beverage) and Pittsburgh, PA (Vecenie’s) areas. Folks can be on the lookout for it at their favorite watering hole or grocery store (including Giant Eagle where it’s already available) and they can request it at a bar near them.

 

“Hello Friends!

We are excited to announce that STYX, in partnership with Voodoo Brewing Co., is bringing our Oh Mama beer to a frosty mug near you. 

We think you’re gonna love it as much as we do. Cheers!!!”

 

--Tommy Shaw

 

"As we have our tradition with ‘Renegade’ and the Steelers, we are excited to announce our Oh Mama beer. We look forward to bringing a part of Steeler tradition to our fans that they can enjoy from home." 

 

--James “JY” Young

 

Inspiration for the beer’s name and artwork comes from one of the band’s signature hits, “Renegade,” which is regularly played at Heinz Field as an adopted theme song for the Pittsburgh Steelers defense. The band has also sung the national anthem and performed “Renegade” at many Steelers games in recent years.

 

The love for “Renegade” at all Steelers games started at a playoff game against the Cleveland Browns on January 5, 2002. The Steelers were down 24-7 well into the third quarter. During a commercial break, a crew member at Heinz Field (home of the Steelers) decided to play “Renegade” in an effort to get the fans riled up and boost the momentum of the team. It was a moment that helped the team come back to win the game 36-33 and subsequently change Steelers history.

 

“Voodoo Brewing Co. has always had a strong connection to music, not only playing it for our beers as they ferment, but also in most of the beer brands we’ve created and our good vibes Beer Festival,” says Voodoo CEO Matteo Rachocki. “When approached by Tommy and his team about a beer, we jumped at the opportunity to collaborate on something authentic to Pittsburgh, while also paying homage to a legendary rock band! We couldn’t be happier with the result, and we’re stoked to share this amazing product, not only on a national scale, but specifically through our local Pittsburgh market and our mutual connection with the city and its sports teams.”

 

“This beer was long overdue,” continues Joshua Rothstein from Primary Wave, Tommy Shaw’s music publisher. “We’re thrilled to make it happen.”

 

STYX released their 17^th album, Crash Of The Crown, on the band’s label, Alpha Dog 2T/UMe, which is available as clear vinyl, black vinyl, CD, and on digital platforms and at Styxworld.com. It debuted on Billboard’s “Rock Albums” chart at #1 its first week out. Read my review of the album HERE.

 

In early reviews, Vintage Guitar raved, “Returning to their guitar/keyboard-fueled ’70s style, the band takes prog’s grandest elements and condenses them into punchy songs – no question, that classic STYX crunch is present.” While SonicPerspectives.com praised the album’s “…fantastic three part harmonies, widdly, bombastic synths, blue-collar working man electric guitar solos and memorable melodic rock songs that flirt with prog elements just enough to have a little extra edge…This record exudes massive musicianship…The road tested warhorse of STYX shows remarkable resilience and capacity to generate energized new music that retains the proven classic elements of the band’s signature sound and straddles the lines of American prog, arena rock and a little bit of acoustic folk.” While Insite called it, “…a passionately relatable sonic parable, tailor-made for openminded 2021 listeners.”

 

Crash Of The Crown is the follow-up to STYX’s 16^th studio album, The Mission (their first in 14 years at the time, which critics called “a masterpiece”) which was released June 16, 2017 on the band’s label, Alpha Dog 2T/UMe. The highly anticipated two-disc reissue of The Mission was released on July 27, 2018 via Alpha Dog 2T/UMe, which includes a CD of the original album, as well as a Blu-ray of the album mixed in 5.1 surround sound accompanied by stunning visualizations for each of the album’s 14 songs based on the album artwork (Read my review of this special edition HERE). It originally debuted on various Billboard charts, including: #6 Top Rock Albums, #11 Physical Albums, #11 Vinyl Albums, #13 Current Albums, #14 Billboard Top Albums, #16 Retail, #17 Mass Merch/Non-Traditional, #29 Digital Albums, and #45 Billboard 200 (includes catalog and streaming).

 

www.styxworld.com

www.crashofthecrown.com

www.facebook.com/styxtheband

www.twitter.com/styxtheband

www.instagram.com/styxtheband

www.youtube.com/styxtheband

 

www.voodoobrewery.com

www.instagram.com/voodoobrewery

www.facebook.com/voodoobrewery

https://voodoo-beer-delivery.square.site

The Killers secure seventh #1 album on official UK Albums chart with 'Pressure Machine,' extending UK Chart record for most consecutive #1 Studio Albums by an international group in chart history 7TH CONSECUTIVE TOP 10 ON BILLBOARD 200 #1 ALBUM ON THE US AMERICANA CHART AND ROCK CHART   29-CITY NORTH AMERICAN TOUR OF 2022 SET TO OPEN AUGUST 19TH IN VANCOUVER   “The band’s seventh album is their most reflective, emotional and intimate ever, but it’s also underpinned by real darkness” - “THE DAILY TELEGRAPH ★★★★★

(Aug. 23, 2021 – New York, NY) The Killers earn critical acclaim and explode onto charts worldwide with their studio album, PRESSURE MACHINE, landing their 7th consecutive #1 album on the UK album chart (and Brandon Flowers’ 9th #1 in the UK overall including his two solo albums). In addition it’s the band’s 7th consec­utive Top 10 album in the U.S.     Pressure Machine via Island Records follows last year’s critically-acclaimed Imploding The Mirage, which gave the band a record-breaking sixth consecutive UK #1. Like its predecessor, the album was co-produced by the band, Shawn Everett, and Jonathan Rado (of Foxygen).    When the promotional run and worldwide tour for Imploding the Mirage was shut down in 2020 by the pandemic, “everything came to this grinding halt,” Brandon said.  “And it was the first time in a long time for me that I was faced with silence. And out of that silence this record began to bloom, full of songs that would have otherwise been too quiet and drowned out by the noise of typical Killers records.”  Pressure Machine has now cast a view into the everyday realities of a small American town with a stark, tough beauty, as it became the Killers’ most restrained and resonant album yet.   PRESSURE MACHINE arrives as the Killers make plans to head back out on the road across the U.S. and Canada next year, to celebrate their new album and Imploding the Mirage, along with their much-loved catalogue of global hits. The 7-week, 29-city tour opens August 19, 2022, at Rogers Arena in Vancouver, and will wrap up at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit on October 8th. (Please see tour dates below.)   The Killers have sold nearly 30 million albums since the release of Hot Fuss, their 2004 debut on Island Records, and have headlined sold-out stadiums and festivals in more than 50 countries on six continents.     PRAISE FOR PRESSURE MACHINE   THE DAILY TELEGRAPH - ★★★★★ THE DAILY MAIL - ★★★★★ THE SUN - ★★★★★ THE GUARDIAN - ★★★★ THE TIMES - ★★★★ NME - ★★★★ DAILY STAR - ★★★★ THE LINE OF BEST FIT – (9/10)     THE KILLERS NORTH AMERICAN TOUR 2022   Date                                       City                            Venue                       Fri August 19, 2022               Vancouver BC           Rogers Arena Sat August 20, 2022              Seattle WA                Climate Pledge Arena Sun August 21, 2022             Portland OR              Moda Center Tues August 23, 2022           San Francisco CA     Chase Center Wed August 24, 2022            San Diego CA           Pechanga Arena Fri August 26, 2022               Las Vegas NV           T-Mobile Arena Sat August 27, 2022              Los Angeles CA        Banc of California Stadium Tues August 30, 2022           Salt Lake City UT      Vivint Arena Wed August 31, 2022            Denver CO                Ball Arena Thurs September 8, 2022     Houston TX                Toyota Center Fri September 9, 2022           Austin TX                  Moody Center Sat September 10, 2022       Fort Worth TX            Dickies Arena Tues September 13, 2022     Miami FL                   FTX Arena Wed September 14, 2022     Orlando FL                Amway Center Fri September 16, 2022         Atlanta GA State       Farm Arena Sat September 17, 2022       Nashville TN              Bridgestone Arena Sun September 18, 2022      St. Louis MO              Chaifetz Arena Tues September 20, 2022     St. Paul MN               Xcel Energy Center Wed September 21, 2022     Chicago IL                 United Center Fri September 23, 2022         Toronto ON               Scotiabank Arena Sat September 24, 2022       Montreal QC              Bell Centre Sun September 25, 2022      Verona NY                 Turning Stone Event Center Thurs September 29, 2022   Washington DC          Capital One Arena Fri September 30, 2022         New York NY             Madison Square Garden Sat October 1, 2022              New York NY              Madison Square Garden Mon October 3, 2022             Boston MA                 TD Garden Tues October 4, 2022            University Park PA     Bryce Jordan Center Thurs October 6, 2022          Pittsburgh PA              Petersen Events Center Fri October 7, 2022               Cleveland OH             Wolstein Center Sat October 8, 2022              Detroit MI                    Little Caesars Arena KEEP UP WITH THE KILLERS: WEBSITE TWITTER / INSTAGRAM / FACEBOOK

New Pete Yorn EP with unheard song from ‘musicforthemorningafter’ sessions out May 5 + his debut turns 20

 Very cool news going into the weekend courtesy of celebrated singer-songwriter Pete Yorn...Robert Kinsler

IN CELEBRATION OF THE 20TH ANNIVERSARY OF HIS DEBUT ALBUM musicforthemorningafter PLATINUM SELLING ARTIST PETE YORN ANNOUNCES ROOFTOP EP (20 YEARS OF musicforthemorningafter) OUT MAY 5 EP FEATURES UNEARTHED SONGS FROM THE musicforthemorningafter ERA, INCLUDING AN UNRELEASED SONG FROM THE ORIGINAL RECORDING SESSIONS THE ROOFTOP EP FOLLOWS THE “OUTSTANDING” (AMERICAN SONGWRITER) COVERS ALBUM PETE YORN SINGS THE CLASSICS RELEASED IN JANUARY

Today, platinum-selling singer-songwriter Pete Yorn announces the Rooftop EP (20 years of musicforthemorningafter) in celebration of the 20th anniversary of his critically acclaimed and seminal debut album musicforthemorningafter (2001, Columbia Records). Upon its release, Rolling Stone’s 4 star review called the record “gently lit by sunlight and regret.” SPIN in their retrospective piece today called musicforthemorningafter “one of 2001’s best," referring to Yorn as "one of his generation’s best songwriters.”   The Rooftop EP arrives May 5th and includes four tracks: “Rooftop,” an unreleased outtake from the musicforthemorningafter sessions and three live versions of tracks from the album including Smiths cover “Panic”, “Life On A Chain” and “Lose You”, the latter of which is an emotionally charged performance delivered on his childhood piano.   Yorn says of the album’s anniversary, "We made it in garages in California, in Van Nuys and Culver City...I just made music that I liked and I knew that there were no guarantees of where it would get me... but twenty years later I am really proud of the impact the record has had and it still carries a deep emotional resonance for me.”   LISTEN TO THE EP’S LIVE VERSION OF “LIFE ON A CHAIN” HERE   Rooftop EP Tracklist:  1. Rooftop (Unreleased outtake from the musicforthemorningafter sessions)   2. Panic (Live at Y100 Sonic Sessions, Philadelphia, PA - November 24th, 2001) 3. Life On A Chain (Live at Y100 Sonic Sessions, Philadelphia, PA -November 24th, 2001) 4. Lose You (Live from the musicforthemorningafter Quarantine Livestream – July 25th, 2020)   The Rooftop EP follows the release of Yorn’s first-ever covers album, Pete Yorn Sings the Classics (via Shelly Music). (Read my review of the album HERE.) The LP celebrates his musical influences, with a collection of songs originally performed and written by Bob Dylan, The Beach Boys, The Velvet Underground, The Stone Roses, Simon and Garfunkel and more. Buy/stream Pete Yorn Sings The Classics HERE. Since his extraordinary 2001 debut album musicforthemorningafter, Yorn has released a total of eight albums of angsty, critically-acclaimed rock. In 2019, Yorn released Caretakers (via Shelly Music), his first solo album in three years featuring the top 2 AAA single “Calm Down”. The New Yorker Magazine praised the album’s “dreamy synths-and-strings jangle” and in All Music’s 4 star review, they described the music as “lush yet spare, tuneful but not forceful, cinematic yet small scale…an appealing blend that sets it apart from most other albums in 2019." Yorn performed songs from the album on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon and Ellen.

Photo: Jim Wright In a recent Billboard magazine summary on the history of the AAA format, Pete Yorn was listed in the top 50 artists of all time based on airplay.        Pete Yorn On the Web: PYARTIFACT.com | PeteYorn.com | Bandcamp | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube

Hear Pete Yorn cover The Stone Roses

Check out another artful cover from Pete Yorn's wonderful new album 'Pete Yorn Sings The Classics'...Robert Kinsler

Wanted to share Pete Yorn's cover of "Ten Storey Love Song" by The Stone Roses - it's out on all DSPs today after his Pete Yorn Sings The Classics album was released exclusively via Bandcamp last month. 

The album celebrates Platinum-selling Yorn's musical influences including Bob Dylan, The Beach Boys, The Velvet Underground, Simon and Garfunkel and more. Liz Phair sings with Pete on "Here Comes Your Man" and "Theme From Mahogany (Do You Know Where You're Going To)". Rami Jaffee (Wallflowers, Foo Fighters) plays on the majority of the songs on the record. The full album is out on DSPs next week, March 5.

On covering The Stone Roses, Pete told American Songwriter, “That one I just had so much fun with. I said, ‘I’m just going to do my super-Stone Roses thing and just jam and play, let it rip.’"

Stream Pete's cover of "Ten Storey Love Song" by The Stone Roses HERE.

New music: Matthew Sweet, Pete Yorn, the Lickerish Quartet

 Several of the first great discs of 2021 are highlighted in my column this week.

Artist: Matthew Sweet

Title: Catspaw (Omnivore Recordings)

You might like if you enjoy: Tommy Keene, The Smithereens, Big Star

Tell me more: It's hard to believe, but Matthew Sweet's new album Catspaw is the power pop icon's fifteenth album. The good news is that the singer-songwriter/guitar great's newly-released disc bristles and soars like it's a hard-charging debut. In addition to his distinctive vocals and amazing songcraft, Sweet's edgy electric guitar work (frequently recalling Neil Young's freewheeling approach) takes center stage while Ric Menck's solid drumming holds down the rhythmic foundation throughout the dozen-track collection. Listening to the infectious "Give A Little," inspired "Challenge The Gods," tender "Hold On Tight," electrifying "At A Loss" and ambitious closer "Parade Of Lights" is to be reminded of how Sweet has an uncanny gift at fusing rock 'n'' roll instincts with showering melody and impressive musical chops to boot. Produced, recorded and mixed by Sweet at his home studio in Omaha, Nebraska, the artist handles rhythm and lead guitars, bass, piano and all lead and backing vocals on the masterwork. The lyrics here hit home as well, tackling the quest for life's meaning with artful candor. Information: MatthewSweet.com.

Artist: Pete Yorn

Title: Pete Yorn Sings The Classics (Shelly Music)

You might like if you enjoy: Crowded House, the Jayhawks, Pete Yorn

Tell me more: Singer-songwriter great Pete Yorn's wide range of influences are celebrated on his new aptly-titled Pete Yorn Sings The Classics, a 10-song set where the Los Angeles-based artist reworks well-known material into his own signature style. Among the bona fide delights on the disc are his shimmering take on The Stone Roses' "Ten Storey Love Song," a joyful version of Bob Dylan's "Lay Lady Lay," yearning musical reading of the Tracey Ullman 1983 hit "They Don't Know," rootsy version of Simon and Garfunkel's "I Am A Rock" and a magic rendition of Roxy Music's "More Than This." Yorn closes out the disc with an evocative version of the Henry Mancini/Johnny Mercer classic "Moon River." To be sure, every cut on the album is fantastic and this listener would welcome a sequel! Of the selections Yorn says: "...these songs all have one thing in common...they all stopped me in my tracks upon first discovery, simply because I loved the way they made me feel. They compelled me to listen repetitively...almost compulsively over and over again." Information: PeteYorn.com.

Artist: The Lickerish Quartet

Title: Threesome Vol. 2 (Stranger Danger Records and Tapes)

You might like if you enjoy: Jellyfish, Queen, Dada, Tears for Fears, XTC

Tell me more: The Lickerish Quartet has followed up their terrific debut EP Threesome Vol. 1 (released in May 2020) with the worthy follow-up Threesome Vol. 2. The new four-track EP again showcases a troupe able to perfectly fuse melodic power pop, art rock and intelligent lyrics with glorious results. Ex-Jellyfish members Roger Joseph Manning Jr. (Beck, Imperial Drag), Tim Smith (Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds, the Finn Brothers) and Eric Dover (Imperial Drag, Slash's Snakepit) craft songs that enthrall with a single listen. The melodic opener "Do You Feel Better?," exhilarating "Sovereignty Blues," sweeping "The Dream That Took Me Over" and breakneck sortie "Snollyguster Goon" collectively make for a perfect listen. Information: TheLickerishQuartet.com.

Robert Kinsler