The results of our Tracks Of The Week competition are often inspirational, as the bands that triumph often do so when they’re up against acts whose real-world popularity far exceeds their own. They’ll mobilize their fans, and their fans will mobilize their friends, and before you know it, the Communist Orgy Penguins, a five-piece alternative rock band from Droitwich, are looking to be more popular than the Red Hot Chili Peppers.
Well, that didn’t happen this week. Firstly because the Communist Orgy Penguins don’t actually exist (we made them up for story purposes, see), but also because the Red Hot Chili Peppers actually bucked trends for years to become a rare Tracks Of The Week winner , whose fame is already global. So well done.
ZZ Top (another band that obviously needs an introduction) came in second place with a new single Brown sugar (opens in new tab)while relative minnows HEAT completed the podium with nationwide (opens in new tab). congratulations to all.
And now on with the show. Please remember to cast your vote at the bottom of the page.
Jack White – What’s the Trick?
Loud, willful and proud, what’s the trick finds one of modern blues rock’s most exciting gatekeepers, reminiscent of Captain Beefheart and early Rage Against The Machine, in a snappy, heavy riff blast of fuzz and fury. The man who went by the name of John Anthony Gillis has gone in several directions since The White Stripes broke up in 2011; this is the sound of him at his edgy, addictive best.
The shepherd dogs – so far away
We’ll take it for this one (as in “a little more relaxed,” not “slow motion and heartbreak”). The latest catchy tune from the dogs’ next album, Out of sight, so far away falls into a desirable spot somewhere between JJ Cales call me the breeze and Creedence Clearwater Revival harmonizing their favorite guitars. And when they sing’druuuunk on a Friday… so far away‘ you can tell they mean business. You’re so far away and everything is just peachy. Yes.
Crashdïet – together whatever
A mighty, blistering guitar bang of decadence from a bunch of ’80s-inspired Swedes who’ve been through a hell of a lot. After the suicide of their original singer Dave Lepard in 2006, they took stock, fought back and eventually pushed their way to the front of the nu-glam pack, opening the door for the likes of HEAT in the process. want more? her new album, automaticwill be released on April 29th.
Sweet crisis – I will crawl
This is such a juicy cover of Free’s classic that we had to share it. Guitars and beats are laid on just thick enough, and vocalist/lifetime freelancer Leo Robarts rivals Rival Sons’ Jay Buchanan by leaning into this rich, glamorous stomp version of the original 1969 tune. As Leo explains, the idea came from a dreamlike meeting with Rodgers backstage in Hyde Park while he was singing with Queen. “Piers and I ended up in Paul’s trailer after the gig and I started singing i will crawl to him and he joined in! A dream becomes true.”
Datura4 – Open the line
West Australian psych-groovers lay down a luscious cosmic boogie, all Hammond organ, loose-waisted Summer of Love warmth and fresh off their forthcoming album Neanderthal jam (in full on August 5). Full of retro fun, it hops like a hippie hitchhiker after a really good night’s sleep, seems to to finish… and then triggers Freakdom for another half minute or so. Impossible to listen and not think about blue skies and hot, hot sunshine.
Ian Siegal – I’m the shit
You’ll probably recognize Ian Siegal for his virtuoso thumping as a bluesy axeman. On this new single, he’s traded that for a tongue-in-cheek, cocky approach that’s pure outlaw lounge lizard – with a side of Tom Waits-esque gravel and a stylish video from Robin Davey and Greta Valenti (hotshot filmmakers, if they don’t rock out as Beaux Gris Gris & The Apocalypse). Dark and sparse, it exudes the kind of fuckin’ elegance it suggests does] actually care quite a bit; a cool, commanding twist on Siegal’s catalogue.
Thunder Mother – Watch out
Everyone’s favorite badass Swedes Thundermother are back, and they’re back with some high-octane rocker and the kind of video that suggests a night out with the band would be more fun than an illegal puppy juggling competition in your local zoo’s monkey pen. Danger tears, and it snorts, and if it had tires it would surely leave burned rubber all over the road. It’s also from the upcoming album black and gold.
Pink Floyd – Hey Hey Rise Up (feat. Boombox’s Andriy Khlyvnyuk)
The unexpected release of hey hey get up was greeted with predictable dismay in some quarters, but we rise above that sadness to announce 2022’s Pink Floyd as a very good thing. The cause (Humanitarian Aid to Ukraine) is worth the excitement, the arrangement of Andriy Khlyvnyuk’s original a cappella performance is moving, and it feels like genuine anger is dripping from David Gilmour’s fingers as he plays solo. Buy, Stream, Appreciate.