JD McPherson - Let The Good Times Roll
Rounder Records
Someone once said you’re only as good as your last album. 'Signs & Signifiers' from JD McPherson was the best album of 2012. Three years later, the anticipated new album 'Let The Good Times Roll' has arrived. So the question is, is it as good as his last album? Let’s begin.
We open up with the title track, “Let The Good Times Roll”. This a great opener, a Rock ’n’ Roll anthem , so far so good! The next song, “Bossy” is a unique song, it’s definitely a JD McPherson song but spanning many of his Blues influences. “It’s All Over But the Shouting” will have everyone strolling on the dance floor. The next song “Bridgebuilder” opens up slowly like a song from a David Lynch film but instantly JD McPherson’s soulful vocals come in, it’s almost Sam Cooke-like. We get back to the Rock ’n’ Roll with “It Shook Me Up”, probably my favorite on the album and makes you feel like you’re back in the heyday of good ol' days when music was good. “Head Over Heels” is another stroll number, and will get you clapping literally since there’s much clapping on this song. They slow things down with “You Must Have Met Little Caroline?” Will get the ladies to move their hips and the guys to keep their arms crossed because they’re too cool to dance. “Shy Boy” is a soulful/blues song with JD McPherson busting out a blues riff here and there. It’s the Blues theme for us shy guys. The next song “Precious” almost sounds like the beginning of a Bo Diddley song (which JD McPherson has covered at his live shows), but then we get a very beautiful guitar lick that comes in. JD’s soulful vocals come back and you forget how good of a singer he is. “Mother Of Lies” is a early 60’s-style rock number, with plenty of saxophone by Doug Corcoran. The closing song “Everybody Is Talking ‘Bout The All-American”, like the opening song, is another Rock ’n’ Roll anthem, and a great way to close out 'Let The Good Times Roll'.
What I love about JD McPherson and his band is how they’re bringing back a familiar sound, yet it’s completely original. While many bands try to be so original, it’s confusing genre wise and all over the place and other bands are such copycats you can’t tell the difference, but JD McPherson and his bandmates; Jimmy Sutton, Jason Smay, Ray Jacildo, and Doug Corcoran bring a distinct sound and it shows on this new album. So to answer the question, is it as good as his last album? Is it better than 'Signs & Signifiers'? To be honest, I can't really give you an answer, but what I can say is that 'Let The Good Times Roll' is definitely on the list for one of the best albums of the year.
You can now buy the CD and the LP at their merch store, and make sure to catch JD McPherson and his band live because they’re on tour right now!
Someone once said you’re only as good as your last album. 'Signs & Signifiers' from JD McPherson was the best album of 2012. Three years later, the anticipated new album 'Let The Good Times Roll' has arrived. So the question is, is it as good as his last album? Let’s begin.
We open up with the title track, “Let The Good Times Roll”. This a great opener, a Rock ’n’ Roll anthem , so far so good! The next song, “Bossy” is a unique song, it’s definitely a JD McPherson song but spanning many of his Blues influences. “It’s All Over But the Shouting” will have everyone strolling on the dance floor. The next song “Bridgebuilder” opens up slowly like a song from a David Lynch film but instantly JD McPherson’s soulful vocals come in, it’s almost Sam Cooke-like. We get back to the Rock ’n’ Roll with “It Shook Me Up”, probably my favorite on the album and makes you feel like you’re back in the heyday of good ol' days when music was good. “Head Over Heels” is another stroll number, and will get you clapping literally since there’s much clapping on this song. They slow things down with “You Must Have Met Little Caroline?” Will get the ladies to move their hips and the guys to keep their arms crossed because they’re too cool to dance. “Shy Boy” is a soulful/blues song with JD McPherson busting out a blues riff here and there. It’s the Blues theme for us shy guys. The next song “Precious” almost sounds like the beginning of a Bo Diddley song (which JD McPherson has covered at his live shows), but then we get a very beautiful guitar lick that comes in. JD’s soulful vocals come back and you forget how good of a singer he is. “Mother Of Lies” is a early 60’s-style rock number, with plenty of saxophone by Doug Corcoran. The closing song “Everybody Is Talking ‘Bout The All-American”, like the opening song, is another Rock ’n’ Roll anthem, and a great way to close out 'Let The Good Times Roll'.
What I love about JD McPherson and his band is how they’re bringing back a familiar sound, yet it’s completely original. While many bands try to be so original, it’s confusing genre wise and all over the place and other bands are such copycats you can’t tell the difference, but JD McPherson and his bandmates; Jimmy Sutton, Jason Smay, Ray Jacildo, and Doug Corcoran bring a distinct sound and it shows on this new album. So to answer the question, is it as good as his last album? Is it better than 'Signs & Signifiers'? To be honest, I can't really give you an answer, but what I can say is that 'Let The Good Times Roll' is definitely on the list for one of the best albums of the year.
You can now buy the CD and the LP at their merch store, and make sure to catch JD McPherson and his band live because they’re on tour right now!
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