Kelly Pardekooper - Brand New Bag

This ten-song release from Kelly Pardekooper is a great album, mixing roots rock with plenty of passion and hooks, as is the case with the opening title track. Here the musician seems to fall somewhere between an adventurous but radio-friendly Wilco and The Dandy Warhols. The lone problem with the song is that it seems unfinished, leaving on a high note but making the listener feel somewhat shortchanged. However, the chugging and gorgeous "Mehaffey Bridge" is the type of song that's been done dozens of times before but rarely as strong as here, as Pardekooper pours himself into the track effortlessly. Read More