Angelica Rockne - Queen Of San Antonio

(This review first appeared in issue #72 of Shindig! magazine.)

Self Release LP

Gram Parson's vision of Comic American Music has seemingly come to full fruition in 2017. Not only has the year brought us stellar LPs by GospelbeacH and The Parson Red Heads, but now we have this late contender from Cali-Cowgirl Angelica Rockne that may well be the cream of the crop. It's a debut that's cosmic but real, emotional and honest, full of heart and soul and features a killer backing band. 'Smoking When It's Raining', 'Married By Elvis' and 'Glitter Rags' all help evoke an America of small towns, big but burnt dreams and open hearts.

Comparisons to Mazzy Star, Emmylou Harris, Stevie Nicks, Patti Smith, Grace Slick and Ryan Adams all carry weight stylistically, but the girl from Nevada City proves herself to be her own person and by the end of the album's eight tracks the only option is to play again. Bears repeating and then some.

The Parson Red Heads - Blurred Harmony

(This review first appeared in issue #69 of Shindig! magazine.)

Fluff & Gravy CD/LP

Thirteen years since they formed as a student band these Portland, Oregon-based journeymen and women release their fourth and most satisfying album to date, interestingly without the aid of expensive studios and name producers. Okay, so they don't try and reinvent the wheel but they do keep it turning rather beautifully. This album's wheel conjures up desert highways, gentle breezes and the sun setting on a shimmering horizon. Their music is a sumptuous blend of cosmic Americana, Paisley Underground, and jangle 'n' harmony guitar pop.

Fittingly for an album that takes its name from a Donald Justice poem, there are themes of nostalgia, regret, stock taking, family and thankfulness for life's small mercies and everyday gifts. Add those to the rich layered guitars, pedal steel, four-way harmonies and genuinely catchy melodies and you have the sound of '70s FM radio remade as an aural security blanket. A sensual, soothing balm for the soul.

GospelbeacH - Another Summer Of Love

(This review first appeared in issue #68 of Shindig! magazine.)

Alive CD/LP

Whether 2017 yields a season of goodwill remains to be seen. This follow up to GospelbeacH's 2015's debut Pacific Surf Line can only help it happen. Its ten tracks of lush, cosmic Americana could only have been made on America's west coast, so the opening lyric cheekily borrowed from The Jam (“In the desert there's a thousand things I want to say to you”) is a neat attention grabber. You know you're listening to a band with serious pop-nous.

GospelBeacH's sound recalls Tom Petty's mix of roots rock and new-wave, along with the grown-up country rock of Chuck Prophet. Though recognising they may be peddling an idealised version of the Golden Sate their take on Cali-rock is seductive – catchy tunes, tasteful song-serving guitar solos and accomplished musicianship that doesn't stray into session-player blandness. Not one for neophiles, but those of us who value quality can bask in its revitalising sun-drenched goodness.