Out of the Box Album of the Week with Paul Shugrue

On "Mission of Mercy," his fourth solo album, he and his backing band establish their own unique identity while honoring Tom Petty’s legacy.

“I Built You A Tower” is not a return to form that many bands who have been around as long as they have resort to, it’s a continuation of the form that they invented years ago.

“The Boys of Dungeon Lane” a surprisingly great, deeply personal album.

“Everyone For Ten Minutes” takes on themes of catharsis from grief, aging and pursuit of love in a chaotic world

On his new album "American Stories" the former Vampire Weekend member has delivered his most cohesive solo record yet, shifting to a more acoustic chamber-folk vibe.

“Dancing on the Wall” goes beyond the sunny optimistic sound of previous efforts to delve into the darker side of synth-pop

“Peaches!” is like a jam session, with each song recorded mostly live in the studio with few overdubs.

“Across The Divide” is a generous 17 track collection that proves he is a generational storyteller documenting the messy reality of outgrowing the places that made you. Keywords This is an optional field. MP3 Upload

"Chance Worth Taking" is the Louisiana soul singer's first original all blues album.

On their third album, “Cat Out of Hell,” the separate musical identities of the four members come together as a cohesive unit delivering punchy and perfectly harmonized songs.

On his new album “Indigo Park’” the seventy-something musician looks back on his eventful life with songs about hometown memories

“Creature of Habit” is a witty and warm reflection of an artist just trying to stay out of her own way

The 12 piece band’s signature blend of blues, rock, soul and Americana is still intact and, if anything, much more focused and powerful.

Sturgill Simpson’s second outing under his new alias, "Mutiny After Midnight," is an exercise in what he calls disco-hedonism with songs split into the dark state of the world and the bright state of love.

"Trixies" is a fascinating lost treasure, a re-recording of songs written by Chris Difford and Glenn Tilbrook in 1974

“Hen’s Teeth” is a self-described “sibling album” to it’s predecessor, “Light Verse,” it was recorded during the same sessions for that album on 2024. The songs on the new one are darker but no less profound.

“Prizefighter” pushes at the boundaries of the band’s past material, they’ve mellowed and show the maturity that can inspire a longer musical life

“What a Time to be Alive” is a powerful statement by a band just now realizing their potential for moving roots rock.

“Singin to an Empty Chair” perfectly mixes their fuzzed out indie rock with their Americana songs.

On his new album “Labor of Love,” he turns off the amp to play a powerful set of original acoustic blues

On her new protest album “Worlds Gone Wrong” she doesn’t offer answers to the troubles she’s singing about but let’s us know that we are not alone in our outrage

“The Dreamin’ Kind” is a slight detour for the folk-rock troubadour who channels his love of rock and roll with a more garage rock sound.

"AVTT/PTTN" finds both acts stepping out of their comfort zones to merge two seemingly disparate musical worlds into a unique and compelling third entity.

"Through This Fire Across From Peter Balkan" is a rock opera about a shipwreck and the men who survive on an deserted island.

“Everybody Scream” is a raw, visceral and cathartic masterpiece.

"Returning to Myself” is a way of getting back to the relatively intimate nature of her music.

Helen Ballentine has released her second album under the name that evokes something altogether different than the ghostly, ambient soundscapes she creates on “And Your Song is Like a Circle.”

"Steppin' Out" is their 20th album and features, for the first time, a female lead singer, D. D.Bastos, who adds new life to their infectious spirit.

The former Virginia Beach high school English teacher's new release is a concept album called "Angels and Other Magical Creatures" and it's his best one yet

On his third studio album “Hard Road” he finds a balance between traditional blues and more contemporary styles without sacrificing his original rootsy integrity.

“Bleeds” brilliantly follows up the twin successes they have had with their last album in 2023 and bandmate M.J. Lenderman’s solo release last year

“I Believe in You My Honeydew” shows that, with imaginative turns of phrases and catchy musical hooks, substantial, complicated themes can be delivered in a meaningful and understandable way.

“Feels Like Home” is a deeply personal collection of songs, some of which have been years in the making.

“Straight Line Was a Lie” is influenced by a diagnosis of an autoimmune disorder that lead singer Liz Stokes received recently and the medication-influenced change in her brain chemistry that affected her ability to write songs

Her unique blend of conversational lyrics and edgy Americana is in full bloom on her sixth album, “Billionaire.”

She has conquered the progressive bluegrass world with her inventive guitar playing, expressive songwriting and vocal dexterity. On her new release, “So Long Little Miss Sunshine” she’s moved past those boundaries with her most daring album yet.

Following closely on the heels of their last album, "No Rain, No Flowers" finds them stretching out and experimenting while not losing the gritty blues rock of their past albums.

On his 89th birthday the living legend released “Ain’t Done with the Blues” an album of classic riffs, storytelling, and heavyweight collaborations

She's had her share of crises during the six years since her last album, making “Crown of Roses” a triumph.

“Tracks 2” is a jaw dropping box set of seven completed albums that have never been released until now

I talked with him about his latest album “The Black Dog and the Wandering Boy”

On “Talking to the Trees” he swings from grungy guitar workouts, to gentle country rockers to sweet folkie tales with the same passion he has devoted to his music for over 60 years.

“Copper Changes Color” is their fourth album, a collection of acoustic campfire songs about love and self doubt

On his second solo album, “Get Sunk” he further carves out a place for his side hustle and in some places out does what The National has tried to do recently.

“Room on the Porch” is a second collaboration from these two acoustic blues icons. Their first album together won a Grammy award for contemporary blues album of the year

“Better Dreaming” is bursting with a joy that is impossible to resist.

“Pink Elephant” is their seventh album and a fascinating examination of the problems they are going through that have so obviously not been resolved.

A one-time student at the college of William and Mary, Will Toledo and his band have released “The Scholars,” a rock opera about students at a fictional university.

Since their last album in 2022 their popularity has grown exponentially, “Everything Must Go” will only ramp up their momentum.

They had similar upbringings and use that bond collaborate on the new album "Send a Prayer My Way" which has a very alt-country feel to it’s songs.