On the title track “Road to Redemption,” Mudcat is clearly sharing personal life lessons when he sings, “My tribulations you may not see / I’ve been through hell I’ll be redeemed,” all the while mixing in flashes of that Bo Diddley beat.
As debut albums go, ‘Twenty Seven’ leaves an unforgettable impression on listeners. Skillfully produced by Duane Lundy (Sturgill Simpson, Jim James, Ringo Starr), the tracks flow as gracefully as Taylor’s fluid onstage movements.
Famous for that neo-psychedelia sixties sound, the songs here are painstakingly relevant in 2025. The first single, “Invisibilia,” is a tune about that imaginary girlfriend we’ve all have (right?).
Jourgensen’s style has not changed, rife with Goth over- (and under-) tones, the singer is a singular presence. His voice still resonates as it has for the past four decades and the musicians were very tight.
It was a good vibe in the Roxy. A wide range of ages were on display, including a surprisingly large percentage of Gen Zs in attendance.
Across this project, Shaw demonstrates both experience and skill in his songwriting and musicianship, having performed music professionally for half his life. Bringing in talented vocalists like Kay has proven to be a winning strategy.
Performing “Please, Please, Please, Let Me Get What I Want” on acoustic guitar was pure magic, as not a single soul in the arena was quiet; everyone there could easily be credited in the liner notes as “backup singers.”
Pecking away at what sounds like a kid’s xylophone, Gonzalez has simplified a well-written tune into an ode to his bride, we’re assuming (raise your hand if you married up, too).
The man’s had a rough couple of years, mainly caused by the dissolution of his 10-year marriage to Amanda Shires. Given that many of his songs have been inspired by or about her, one might wonder how he can still perform those lyrics.
The band ran through all 10 tracks from ‘Trees & Screams,’ adding something from each of his prior solo efforts. Known for his deep dive of covers from favorite artists, Hood did not disappoint.
NO EARPLUGS 