Album Review: Raekwon - The Emperor's New Clothes

Raekwon

The Emperor's New Clothes

*** out of *****

Mass Appeal Records and Nas announced their 'Legend Has It' series, which features seven new albums from seven different hip-hop icons. Raekwon is one of those legends and his contribution to this series is The Emperor's New Clothes. 

Album Review: Alan Sparhawk - With Trampled by Turtles

Alan Sparhawk

With Trampled by Turtles

***and1/2 out of *****

Low was an institution. The slowcore, indie rock band from Duluth, MN was the partnership of Alan Sparhawk (guitar and vocals) and his wife Mimi Parker (drums and vocals). Parker passed away in November 2022 and it turned out the next time Sparhawk took the stage was with fellow Duluth friends, the bluegrass outfit Trampled by Turtles.

Album Review: Horsegirl - Phonetics On and On

Horsegirl

Phonetics On and On

***and1/2 out of *****

The Chicago based trio Horsegirl broke out nationally in 2022 as the young artists released Versions of Modern Performance. Their follow-up Phonetics On and On shows growth and delivers a cohesive vibe throughout. 

Album Review: Williamson Brothers - Aquila

Williamson Brothers

Aquila

*** out of *****

The Birmingham, AL based outfit Williamson Brothers deliver their brand of lo-fi, punkish, southern rock and roll on their newest offering, Aquila. The twelve-song offering recorded at Dial Back Sound in Water Valley, MS has a cool combo of grit and grime along with some spit and polish.

Album Review: Blondshell - If You Asked For A Picture

Blondshell

If You Asked For A Picture

*** out of *****

On her excellent 2023 self-titled debut album, Blondshell (aka Sabrina Teitelbaum) expertly laid out her pain and broken relationships around throwback 1990's alt-rock sounds. For her follow-up, If You Asked For A Picture, the Los Angeles based artist keeps the tales of poor life choices and relationship failures coming, but this time tones down the backing tracks for more pop-rock friendly sound.

Album Review: Jessie Hill - Naturally

Jessie Hill 

Naturally

***and1/2 out of *****

For their newest vinyl release, the fantastic Tipitina's Record Club delivers a reissue of Jessie Hill's 1971 solo album, Naturally. The purple vinyl reissue includes the original innovative gatefold cover design, which included a rotating wheel. 

Album Review: S.G. Goodman - Planting By The Signs

S.G. Goodman

Planting By The Signs

**** out of *****

The newest offering from singer/songwriter S.G. Goodman, Planting Signs, looks deep into her home territory of Western Kentucky with a collection of weepy folk/American tunes. Goodman mixes story songs, sweet love offerings and tunes of sadness as she mourns the passing of time and friends. 

Album Review: Jack White - Break It All Down

Jack White

Break It All Down

***and1/2 out of *****

For the most recent Vault release from Third Man Records, the company focuses on their founder via Jack White's Break It All Down. The triple vinyl offering showcases White's recent (well reviewed) No Name Tour, as Jack and company stripped it down and went back to basic, heavy, rock and roll. 

Album Review: Ty Segall- Possession

Ty Segall

Possession

***and1/2 out of *****

The prolific Los Angeles based artist Ty Segall has an insane work ethic, recording all sorts of styles and whatever pops into his head from glam to prog to garage albums. For his seventeenth studio effort, Possession, Segall has delivered his most pop-rock friendly leaning effort that pulls directly from the mid 60's heyday of rock. 

Live Review: Outlaw Festival (Willie Nelson, Bob Dylan, Wilco etc) 8/1/25 Jones Beach, NY

Outlaw Festival 

Willie Nelson, Bob Dylan, Wilco, Lucinda Williams

8/1/25 Jones Beach, NY

On a gorgeous summer evening, after a crushing heatwave finally broke in the NYC area, the 10th Anniversary of the Outlaw Festival pulled into Jones Beach. The show played the on the water amphitheater for a second year in a row, as a sold out crowd slowly made their way into the venue to see to see a host of excellent musicians. 

Album Review: Samantha Fish - Paper Doll

Samantha Fish

Paper Doll

***and1/2 out of *****

The newest offering on Rounder Records from guitar great Samantha Fish, Paper Doll, continues Fish's style of supped up rocking blues, yet turns down her recent electro-pop tinges. 

Live Review: Phish - 7/22,23,25,26/25 Forest Hills and Saratoga

Phish

7/22,23,25,26/25 

Forest Hills and Saratoga NY

The Vermont jam legends Phish wrapped up the July section of their summer tour with a swing through New York and RtBE was able to catch four out of the five shows they played in the Empire State. While the band takes a short breather until September, it was clear from all in attendance that for a band that has been active for over 40 years, they still have a lot of gas left in the tank. 

Album Review: Sally Baby's Silver Dollars - Sally Baby's Silver Dollars

Sally Baby's Silver Dollars

S/T

**** out of *****

The debut release from the New Orleans, LA based Sally Baby's Silver Dollars is a self titled collection of six tunes that show off this talented new group as the tracks were deeply inspired by their home cities rich musical past. 

Album Review: Louis Michot - SEAUXLEAUX

Louis Michot

SEAUXLEAUX

*** out of *****

The second solo record from Louis Michot, titled SEAUXLEAUX, follows up his 2023 solo debut, Rêve du Troubadour. While Michot has won GRAMMYS with his main act the Lost Bayou Ramblers, his solo debut looked to mix his Acadian/Louisiana French sound and singing with larger influences such as electro-bass/drums and Tuareg guitar. On this follow up, all the outside influences and guests go away and it is just Michot, stripped down. 

Album Review: Dead Pioneers - Po$t American

Dead Pioneers 

Po$t American

*** out of *****

The second full length from Dead Pioneers, titled Po$t American, is a rumbling, ranting, unsettling affair as the Denver, Colorado based outfit set out to abolish the myths, lies, and white supremacy embedded in this countries history.   

Album Review: Sharp Pins - Radio DDR

Sharp Pins 

Radio DDR

*** out of *****

The solo project of Chicago based Kai Slater from Lifeguard is named Sharp Pins and his newest release, Radio DDR is a collection of 14 tunes that recall the Paisley Underground and dreamy indie-pop with a DIY approach as Slater dishes out twinkling tunes and easy flowing sounds with various levels of scuffed up production. 

Album Review: Guts Club - Please Come Back To The Farm

Guts Club

Please Come Back To The Farm

*** out of *****

The newest release from the New Orleans, LA based doom/experimental outfit Guts Club is a capturing of the quartet's haunting power and tone. Titled Please Come Back To The Farm, the four track record finds each song running long as the band's dense sound leads to crackling and distorted speakers.

Album Review: Corey Henry and the Treme Funktet - Live at Vaughn's

Corey Henry and the Treme Funktet 

Live at Vaughn's

***and1/2 out of *****

The newest release from Corey Henry and the Treme Funktet is a live album captured at their Thursday night homebase, Vaughn's in the Bywater. The directly titled, Live at Vaughn's from Louisiana Red Hot Records, drops the listener in the small bar with the band as the party music rolls out for over an hour. 

Album Review: MonoNeon - You Had Your Chance... Bad Attitude!

MonoNeon

You Had Your Chance...Bad Attitude!

***and1/2 out of *****

The newest effort from the prolific bass maestro MonoNeon, You Had Your Chance...Bad Attitude! continues his recent success from last years dynamite Quilted Stereo. The quirky artist marches to the beat of his own drummer, but this collection stays mostly in the pop/funk/R&B vein, with success. 

Album Review: Valerie June - Owls, Omens, and Oracles

Valerie June

Owls, Omens, and Oracles

***and1/2 out of *****

On her recent releases the Memphis, TN based artist Valerie June had been focusing on softer, slower, relaxing, acoustic efforts. With her sixth studio full length, Owls, Omens and Oracles, June has returned a bit to her indie-rock roots as June mixes grandiose soul, modern r&b, pop and gospel coloring the sound and tone.