Three Great Rock Records That Just Came Out
These titles from March of 2021 are worth a deep dive, even for those who stopped exploring new music in the 1980s.
In last week’s two-part issue of Michael’s Record Collection, I looked back at the storied career of Billy Joel. It was fun to revisit the catalog of such a classic artist. However, for this week, I thought it would be fun to change things up and look at some more recent records.
Specifically, today I’m writing about three recent records from current artists that are worth your time. Before some of you let the idea of music released in 2021 scare you away, I just want to point out that I’m confident that the three albums discussed below will appeal to anyone who enjoyed the rock music of the 1970s and ‘80s. These are albums by artists who are more concerned with guitars, bass, and drums than with drum loops, excessive programming, and sonic textures. These records are fun, and they rock.
Furthermore, all three are available on Spotify and likely the other major streaming services, so you can check them out in advance. If you like what you hear, I urge you to support these artists by purchasing physical media and/or other items from their web shops. I am not being paid to tell you this. I just really like them and want them to be able to make a living so they’ll be able to keep making new music.
Mason Hill — Against the Wall
Scotland’s Mason Hill has released what could turn out to be the best rock record of 2021 and we’re only a quarter of the way through the calendar year. Against the Wall, the band’s first full-length release, came out from 7Hz Recordings at the beginning of March and is quickly becoming one of my favorite rock releases of the last 10 years.
The Glasgow quintet — Scott Taylor (vocals), James Bird (guitars), Marc Montgomery (guitars), Matthew Ward (bass), and Craig McFetridge (drums) — is a straightforward rock band in the classic sense but you can hear echoes of more complex bands like Porcupine Tree in their music. Mason Hill is a well-oiled machine forged in the fires of playing live.
Where many rock bands today can sound “samey,” there is good variety across Against the Wall. Taylor may sound like other vocalists you’ve heard, but his vocals are clean and clear. You won’t need a lyric sheet to follow along. The harmonies are excellent and the backing vocals are strong. The band seems savvy about where to drop in a “whoa oh” or an “oooh” that always serves to improve the song, with unexpected and delightful additions to several of the songs, such as “Broken Son.”
The album, which includes 12 tracks and about 47 minutes of music, is full of catchy hooks, has plenty of crunch, tasty riffs, and inventive songwriting. It has something for just about any rock aficionado, including power ballads (“Who We Are,” “Out of Reach,” “Where I Belong”).
Mason Hill is a band with swagger and Against the Wall is a brash, confident debut with excellent production. I cannot say enough good things about this record.
Best Songs: “D.N.A.,” “Find My Way,” “Against the Wall.”
Learn more at: https://www.masonhillofficial.com/home
Black Diamonds — No-Tell Hotel
Rock in the style of the 1980s is alive and well in 2021 thanks to Swiss four-piece, Black Diamonds. The band’s fourth studio album, No-Tell Hotel (Metalapolis Records), is a blast from start to finish. Like the Mason Hill album above, this record was released last month.
There are hair metal-style guitar solos, great riffs and hooks, and harmony vocals that sound like they’ve stepped straight out of a Def Leppard album. The 12 songs take just over 47 minutes to spin through and listeners will be bobbing their heads along to the music for about that entire length. Listeners will be torn between singing along to the catchy choruses or staying quiet to hear the Black Diamonds’ excellent harmonies.
Mich Kehl (guitar and lead vocals) and Andi Barrels (guitar and backing vocals) provide the melodies and pyrotechnics while Chris Blade Johnson (bass and backing vocals) and Manu Peng (drums and backing vocals) provide the rock-solid foundation.
Like any good 80s-style glam band worth its salt, the Black Diamonds are versatile. The band is equally adept at rocking out or slowing things down with the occasional power ballad (“Anytime,” “Hand in Hand”). No-Tell Hotel is fun and it ends on a high note in that respect, as final track “Outlaw” begins with a bit of a cheesy (in an enjoyable way) spoken-word intro and then the band has a galloping blast for almost four minutes and invites you along for the ride. And it’s a ride you’ll be glad you went on.
Best Songs: “No-Tell Hotel,” “Evil Twin,” “Saturday.”
Learn more at: https://www.blackdiamondsrock.com/
The Dust Coda — Mojo Skyline
Our third excellent release from March 2021 comes to us from London. The Dust Coda is a four-piece band that channels its inner Led Zeppelin, Guns ‘N Roses, and other influences into a cohesive and quality sophomore album in Mojo Skyline (Earache Records). The album was released most recently of the three, dropping on March 26.
John Drake (vocals and rhythm guitar) has a voice that reminds the listener of several classic rock singers without being too similar to any of them. It retains its own identity. If you crossed classic Robert Plant with Axl Rose, threw in a dash of Brian Johnson and maybe even Casey McPherson from Flying Colors, then polished it all down bit to make it smoother, you’d be in the neighborhood of Drake’s sound.
Adam Mackie (lead guitar) lays down the licks, riffs, and solos that will keep your air guitar fingers busy. Scott Miller (drums) and Tony Ho (bass) build the rhythmic structure that holds everything up.
Mojo Skyline isn’t as slick as No-Tell Hotel or as clean as Against the Wall. It’s a bit grittier and more in your face than the two albums discussed above. It’s nowhere near as bluesy as The Black Crowes, but I feel some of the same vibes from their music hiding in The Dust Coda’s work on this record. Maybe I’m crazy but I also hear a hint of the Marshall Tucker Band in a song or two, especially “Dream Alight.” I hear echoes of Aerosmith in album opener “Demon,” which sets the stage for the album’s 12 songs — with a run time of just under 52 minutes — and there are hints of other influences throughout the record without ever directly copying anything.
This is a great album to play as loud as your system will allow or your ears will handle.
Best Songs: “Breakdown,” “Limbo Man,” “Rolling.”
Learn more at: http://thedustcoda.com/
Please check these albums out and let me know what you think. Despite the dreampop, shoegazing, hip-hop, and other music that seems to dominate the lists of what’s popular these days, good rock and roll isn’t dead. Sometimes it just takes a bit more effort to find it. With these three releases all coming out in March, I can’t wait to see what the rest of April — and the entirety of 2021 — has in store.
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