Left Lane Cruiser
Left Lane Cruiser is the country-blues punk duo of singer/slide-guitarist Joe Evans (a.k.a. Freddy J IV) and Brenn Beck (a.k.a. Sausage Paw) on drums. Founded in the early aughts in Fort Wayne, Indiana, the unit has released two EPs and three full-lengths. Having shared stages with Black Diamond Heavies, Robert Belfour, and Chris Cotton, LLC takes you on a ride with full-speed-ahead abandon. Get started with "Hard Workin' Man," from their 2009 release All You Can Eat!!, served up proud with a helping of swagger. Play it loud.
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Genre: Cow Punk
Artist: Left Lane Cruiser
Song: Hard Workin' Man
Album: All You Can Eat!!
Sibylle Baier
German songstress/actress/dancer/painter Sibylle Baier's belated reissue of Colour Green was originally recorded between 1970 and '73. The album remained in the vault for over 30 years until her son unveiled the collection to J Mascis (Dinosaur Jr.). Mascis then brought Baier's work to the Athens, Georgia-based Orange Twin label, which rereleased Colour Green in 2006. Collaborations include Wim Wenders and Jochen Richter. Definitely discover the divine and lush "Give Me a Smile."
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Genre: Singer/Songwriter
Artist: Sibylle Baier
Song: Give Me a Smile
Album: Colour Green
The Besnard Lakes
Montreal rock unit The Besnard Lakes are captained by Jace Lasek (vocals/guitar/keys) and Olga Goreas (vocals/bass), with Richard White (guitar) and Kevin Laing (drums) rounding out the lineup. Founded in 2003, the ensemble harnesses a haunting, harmonic beauty. Accolades include a Polaris Prize nomination in 2007. Credits include the score for the Mark Ruffalo-directed Sympathy for Delicious, starring Orlando Bloom, Juliette Lewis, Ruffalo, and Laura Linney, plus three full lengths and an EP. Download "Chicago Train," from their 2010 The Besnard Lakes Are the Roaring Night (Bonus Track Version).
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Genre: Alt-Rock
Artist: The Besnard Lakes
Song: Chicago Train
Album: The Besnard Lakes Are the Roaring Night (Bonus Track Version)
Paul Gilbert
Guitar lord Paul Gilbert deserves a doctorate in "I can do anything on the guitar including neurosurgery and frying bacon on it." Born in the Midwest in the mid-'60s, Gilbert moonlights on the keys, drums, bass, and vocals. An expat of metal sirens Racer X, G3, and Mr. Big, Gilbert has issued more than a dozen solo releases to date. Collaborations include Jimi Kidd, Joe Satriani, and Freddie Nelson. Get an earful with "Get Out of My Yard," from his 2006 release Get Out of My Yard.
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Genre: Metal
Artist: Paul Gilbert
Song: Get Out of My Yard
Album: Get Out of My Yard
The Van Jets
The Van Jets are the Belgian rock quartette of Johannes Verschaeve (vocals, guitar), Freddy Tampere (bass), Wolfgang Vanwymeersch (guitar), and Mich Verschaeve (drums). Founded in the early aughts, the ensemble has embraced the road, building a loyal fan base on the other side of the Atlantic while garnering a string of European hits. The Van Jets' 2010 release, Cat Fit Fury!, produced by Jon Gray (The Subways, Editors, The Kooks), and mixed by Greg Gordon (Wolfmother, Jet, Soulwax), has an effervescent aftertaste. Relish "The Future."
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Genre: Rock
Artist: The Van Jets
Song: The Future
Album: Cat Fit Fury!
Albert King
Blues royal Albert King was born to left-handed guitar mastery. A child of the '20s, Mississippi-bred Albert was raised on gospel and taught himself the guitar. Shortly thereafter, he dove head first into the blues. After some finger-bleeding and dues-paying, King relocated to Indiana, where he backed Jimmy Reed on drums, and by 1953, he cut his first side for Parrot Records. At decade's end, in St. Louis, King signed with the Bobbin and King label. The mid-'60s found King's true metamorphosis under the Stax Records dynasty. Magic moments include Fillmore West with Jimi Hendrix and John Mayall. This Blues Foundation Hall of Famer's collaborations include Al Jackson Jr., Steve Cropper, Booker T. Jones, the St. Louis Symphony, and B.B. King. Remember him with "Oh, Pretty Woman (Can't Make You Love Me)," from his 1969 release King of the Blues Guitar.
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Genre: Blues
Artist: Albert King
Song: Oh, Pretty Woman (Can't Make You Love Me)
Album: King of the Blues Guitar