I hate listening to the radio. I'm old enough to remember cars that only had AM radios, and back then, radio was pretty darn good. It wasn't all pre-recorded, pre-programmed, targeted, narrowly-focused stations like today.
I don't even like the satellite radio. I don't want to listen to what the corporate wonks want me to hear. I'm not embarrassed to say that I've never heard of most of the people who are topping the charts, and those I have heard of, like Kanye whatshisname, or Taylor Gaga, or whoever, I wouldn't recognize a single song. I've never been a big fan of pop music, and what little I've heard makes me feel like I'm not really missing anything.
I prefer to hunt for new music, and bands, myself. I find most bands by wandering aimlessly through the corridors of iTunes (speaking of our corporate overlords.) I started looking for the band The Stone Coyotes, because I read an interview with Elmore Leonard (one of my favorite writers) who said he based a lot of his book "Be Cool" on them. He referred to them as a cross between AC/DC and Patsy Cline. I thought, if they're good enough for him, they're good enough for me. So I looked them up.
They are a basic, guitar, bass and drums, rock band, but they are not easy to categorize or pigeon-hole. Their music veers wildly from AC/DC-style hard rock to heart-breaking ballads. They are equally at home covering Judas Priest's "Ace of Spades," or Merle Haggard's "Kern River," their cover of Dolly Parton's "Jolene" is out of this world, and their originals take a back seat to no one.
Their singer, guitarist, and songwriter, Barbara Keith, has a strong, clear voice that rings out like a bell. While their music is fairly conventional though varied (from metal to punk to country to folk to Americana, and back again), what sets them apart are the power of Keith's voice and her lyrics, which are truly special.
If you have any doubt that women can rock, the songs "I Want To Rock," "The First Lady of Rock" and "The Girls of America" will change your mind.
The Stone Coyotes have released 13 studio albums, all of which have been recorded and released by the band themselves, making this band one that truly does its own thing. I've got them all, and, unlike even my beloved Rolling Stones, there's not a dud in the bunch. But don't just take my word for it: Check them out at their website. You can test drive them for yourself. Good places to start are, in addition to the ones mentioned above:
"The Church of the Falling Rain" from their first album.
"Where the Old Oak Grows" from their second album Situation Out of Control.
"Death of the American Song" from Born To Howl.
"Plain American Girl" from Ride Away From the World.
"Your Hour To Sing" from Rise From The Ashes.
"Fire It Up" from Fire It Up.
"Party Down the Hall" from Dreams of Glory.
"All For Angelina" from VIII.
"A Rude Awakening" from A Rude Awakening.
"Almost Sounds Like California" from My Turn.
"Throwing Off Sparks" from I Couldn't Find You.
"Sing Me A Hymn" from A Wild Bird Flying.
"Let The Wild Horse Run" from Rock Another Day.
These are, of course, just some of my favorites. Feel free to find your own. If you're looking for real, grown-up, literate, intelligent rock and roll (and country, and Americana, and folk) that hasn't forgotten what music is really all about, check 'em out. You won't be sorry.
You're welcome.
