And your ears shall hear…

My wife turns 50 this weekend, and for her party, she asked me to hire a Yacht Rock band aptly titled The Yacht Rockettes. They are fronted by two female singers, and backed by a five-piece band that includes some incredible horns. Take a listen, then start saving!

Hippo Campus has finally released their 5-song EP Wasteland. We’ve heard most of it, save for “Honeysuckle,” and “Probably.” After hashing out the songs in their Minneapolis rehearsal space, they jetted out to Asheville to record these songs in the Drop of Sun studios with Caleb Wright. This is good stuff, “Yippee Ki-Yay” and “Honeysuckle,” will fit in nicely, and “Probably” will help slow the live sets down and offer some new variety as they embark on a huge US tour.

Bradley Nowell was a force both on the guitar and on the mic. His voice was smooth as silk at times, and at others, rough and rugged. Look no further than this incredible-sounding version of “Jailhouse.” He starts off with a sweet melody, singing, “Jailhouse gets empty,” then gets all gravelly with, “Can’t fight against the youth.” After that, he’s on to his rap verse, “When I was a youth in 1983 was the best day of my life/Had the ’89 vision, we didn’t fuss or no fight.” It’s all here live and undeniably real, and that’s what we loved about this man. But there’s no Sublime, and there’s no way any of this goes down this well without that incredible battery of Eric Wilson (bass), and Bud Gaugh (drums). Let us not forget much of the inspiration for the band’s content, Lou Dog.

Honestly, this live album sounds better than the official release of 40 Ounces To Freedom. $5.00 At The Door (Live At Tressel Tavern, 1994) solicits more charisma and passion than any emotions Michael “Miguel” Happoldt and company could squeeze out of the band in the studio. It’s one that I am going to buy on vinyl because it garners endless listens.

Another new Goth Babe single to decipher and it doesn’t take long. “Alone in the Mountains” is more of that dayglow pop that prods consecutive listens.

The second single from the Generationals has arrived getting us excited for the June 2nd release date of Heatherhead. “Dirt Diamond” is still playing on repeat as well.

Pearl & The Oysters make some pretty fun island-type music but this single featuring Laetitia Sadier borders the psychedelic. It’s short and to the point.

The return of Ben Folds is real. His first new album, What Matters Most, since 2015 will be released on June 2. “Exhausting Lover” is the second single from his sixth studio album and it’s typical Folds’ fare, about a groupie he slept with and now can’t get rid of. Also, something about a live tweet of him running naked through a dingy hotel room to Cracker Barrel safety. You can’t make this stuff up…or can you?

The single “Chord of Sympathy,” from the album of the same name, caught me off guard. I was expecting the song to turn into something heavier after the rapid drum intro, yet we hear the golden pipes of frontwoman Natalie Carol, and I’m further intrigued. I google the band and get references for Fleetwood Mac, but that doesn’t quite fit. I’m hearing The Sundays with Dolores O’Riordan at the helm, and a bit of Hannah Joy from the Middle Kids.

Valley Queen is a three-piece band hailing from Los Angeles, and Chord of Sympathy is their fabulous sophomore album that, after only ONE listen, is rocking my world. There’s even a cool cover of Porches’ “Range Rover” on the record that’s a fun surprise towards the end.

Let’s not forget to credit Mike Deluccia (percussion and keys) and Neil Wogensen (bass and production).

Your Jazz Cut Of The Week is “Luna Park” from Tobias Meinhart. The Brooklyn saxophonist just released a new album entitled Dark Horse, and it’s got everything from great drumming to incredible guitar licks. Check it out on Spotify or anywhere you take in good music.

Treat someone well this week, and drink less (I’m talking to myself).