The evolution of rockabilly and rockin’ sounds continues by way of Bakersfield with Bear Family’s second chapter titled, ‘The Other Side Of Bakersfield’. With in-depth liner notes and super rare photos regarding these particular artists of the 1950s and 60s and the record labels involved,  the usual care and attention from Bear Family is applied to the entire package as volume two of the Boppers and Rockers from Nashville West is on equal par with its predecessor. For example, the same quality and breadth of creativity is found throughout ‘The Other Side Of Bakersfield Vol. 2’, but where this differs slightly is the evolving sound of the musicians involved, edging closer to a fuller-sounding rockabilly description, to cite one example, that is beefed up and tighter in its execution. Particular delights of this second instalment include the ever reliable Ferlin Husky with ‘I Feel Better All Over’; the ballad-esque ‘Teenage Tears’ from Cliff Crofford; the wonderful off-kilter delivery and in line with its narrative of Corky Jones’ (Buck Owens) ‘Rhythm and Booze’ and George Weston’s rockin’ ‘Hey Little Car Hop’. Special mention goes to the sublime ‘Can’t Go On’ with a vocal to melt the sternest of hearts that leaves one to ponder why the name Dallas Frazier was not exalted to greater heights despite achieving success as a songwriter for a host of artists. A superb second volume, ‘The Other Side Of Bakersfield’ is worthy of high praise indeed.

Fourth instalment in the Rockabilly Roads series that sees no let-up in terms of quality control with a plethora of modern-day rockabilly and rock ‘n’ roll artists touting their own creative writings rather than adding a fresh spin on an old cover. The ‘jungle’ theme given to this fourth Rockabilly Roads volume is more about the red-hot electricity coursing through more or less each and every track rather than anything specific coming out of the wilderness. First indication of such a scorching atmosphere comes by way of Mike Barbwire & The Blue Ocean Orchestra with their ‘El Sótano Calling (S.O.S ROCKN’ ROLL), which is an instrumental with a Latin flavour coupled with a stinging guitar, monstrous sax and surprising turn of events with a brief yet wondrous string section midway that sets the bar incredibly high for the rest of the competition to follow. After such a magnificent start, Swedish rockers and regulars to the Rockabilly Roads series, John Lindberg Trio do not let the side down by way of their usual high standards of consistently good rock ‘n’ roll with knowing pop sensibilities that is ‘Hit Me’. Where John Lindberg Trio add a modern gloss to the rockin’ revival, Ruby Ann’s ‘You Gotta Pay’ and subsequent Honeyboy Slim & the Bad Habits ‘Screamin’ Mimi Jeanie’ really drum up a sense of nostalgia with authentic takes on a 50s sound; the former a mid-tempo setter that is commanded by Ms Ann’s compelling vocal, whereas the latter is a full-blooded rocker and reminiscent of Jerry Lee Lewis. It remains this very balancing act between replicating an inch perfect rockin’ 50s period sound, and one that stems from the same origins but with various additional elements providing a more up-to-date feel (20th Flight Rockers, The Caezars, Reverend Horton Heat), which is why this rockabilly series truly works.

Reviving a musical passage confined to the history books by dragging it into the present, This Sect possess an undisputable post-punk and indie influence with a definite whiff of the eighties when it comes to their sound, but one that is given a slightly modern edge considering the grooving rhythm of former single ‘Bookburner’. The giveaway, however, to such references can be heard in the shimmering and echoing effects of the guitars that is reminiscent of such 80s innovators The Chameleons and Bauhaus, as well as paying their respects to such record labels as Dischord with the aforementioned post-punk sound. With this being a debut album and one that has taken considerable time to fully realise, the benefits of such a lengthy gestation period are revealed in the tight musicianship which creates moments of genuine tension as well as providing a sense of holding the ship together. For lead vocalist Gøran Karlsvik, the title of This Sect’s debut long player seems to literally plague his very being, with his vocal giving the impression of pulling the songs along but with considerable suffering involved due to the immense weight of the lyrical contents contained within. Such indications can be identified from the layered guitars and melodic bursts of ‘Lines On A Trail’ where there appears no exit from troubled times, to the (some might say) actions of a philistine with the tortured ‘Bookburner’ and major clue that is ‘Detox The Soul’. As brief as ‘Shake The Curse’ stands, This Sect manage to cram a succession of deeply intense emotions that are often cryptic in nature, with an equally forceful brew of raucous guitars and additional synth that harks back to a period in music that is sadly missed and thus rendering ‘Shake The Curse’ utterly essential.

Upping the ante further with album number three by adding the production skills of British producer Eliot James (Two Door Cinema Club, The Futureheads, Kaiser Chiefs) and enrolling fellow Brit Simon Walker to help out with lyrics, Montée is willing to take chances in order to broaden their sound but also their appeal when it comes to reaching new audiences. The results appear to be a winning success judging from the fuller sounding and more consistent quality of the songs making up ‘Into The Fray’. The eighties influence blended with modern pop-disco tendencies remain and clearly evident from the off with ‘Saviour’ that receives extra plaudits for its decision to include backing vocals that take this ditty to another level. ‘Icarus’ has a sense of familiarity about it, which is a compliment, with its gliding rhythm that almost suggests a smoky jazz texture when really it’s a reflective synth number that has lead vocalist Anders Tjore sounding rather like Bowie on occasions with a desire to remain detached from society, and it really is that good. The infectious melodies continue their charge with ‘Animal Traits’ and ‘The Beast In Their Nature’, before ‘Picture Paradise’ offers a different perspective with its colder rhythm and more measured pace. For fans of Human League, Heaven 17 and more recently Van She and Empire of the Sun, ‘Into The Fray’ should see Montée victorious judging by the overall quality and consistency of their latest album.

Pulling a draw faster than Billy the Kid himself, Kentucky-raised Sturgill Simpson, who now happens to be a resident of Nashville, makes a swift return with second album ‘Metamodern Sounds In Country Music’. Where debut offering ‘High Top Mountain’ excelled in tailing a steady line to the traditions of country music, as well as offering heartfelt emotions regarding family members or various frustrations concerning life’s career choices or lack of them, ‘Metamodern Sounds In Country Music’ pursues more or less the same path, only the emotions expressed are those scraping the bottommost depths of despair. With songs alluding to such periods of hopelessness, often the result of experimenting with life’s darker side as well as suffering from depression (‘Life of Sin’, ‘Voices’, ‘Long White Line’), there are also moments of hope with ‘A Little Light Within’. However, far from being a miserable experience, ‘Metamodern Sounds In Country Music’ is nothing but an enthralling ride of traditional country, with some nice touches of additional strings during lead track ‘Turtles All The Way Down’, but also one that benefits from a rawer edge in the guitar department and best experienced from ‘Life of Sin’ and ‘Living The Dream’. The wildness truly reveals itself, however, when the appropriately named ‘It Ain’t All Flowers’ sets its reverse course with guitars sucked through a vortex amidst fevered howls as the comedown digs its claws in. The nostalgic trip down memory lane of ‘Pan Bowl’ is the perfect conclusion, considering all that has gone before, and further reason why ‘Metamodern Sounds In Country Music’ is an extremely important record not only due to its inventive side, but for its honesty when chronicling life’s mistakes.

Latest album from singer-songwriter Ray LaMontagne sees a departure from his more straight folk roots sound as ‘Supernova’ lends itself to the psychedelic pop and country-rock sounds prominent during a late 60s and early 70s San Francisco. Producer Dan Auerbach (Black Keys) services were called upon to help with the sonic layers of ‘Supernova’ that is certainly a lot brighter as introductory song ‘Lavender’ indicates with its summery hazy feel created by use of reverb on the  vocal, gentle strumming of acoustic guitar and use of Mellotron. The opening bars of ‘Pick Up A Gun’ blooms into a kaleidoscope of sounds and sees LaMontagne taking several steps further into less familiar territory and one full of psychedelics as there is a real sense of wanting to forget. In keeping with the dreamlike qualities of several of the songs on offer here, the lyrics offer little by way of clues to their overall meanings as LaMontagne has suggested: “Some songs are like riddles, or puzzles, an unknown begging to be figured out,” only this may take some time. Whether ‘Supernova’ is the way forward for Ray LaMontagne only time will tell, as there will be those who lament this change of direction whereas others will undoubtedly welcome this fresh approach and openness to greater experimentation.