More Soulful Bluesy Groovy Fast Tempo Rock

May 27, 2020 3:17 PM

I love music that has an atmosphere. It’s a combination of layers of instruments and the quality of the vocals. And lately I’ve been into more soulful, grungy, blues, country, fast tempo rock. Bands inside.

Things I’ve recently been obsessed with in this category that I want more of:

Black Pistol Fire - I own their entire discography, but Deadbeat Graffiti and Don’t Wake the Riot are my favorite
Elle King - more like Shake the Spirit but I like Love Stuff
KALEO - A / B
Gin Wigmore - Gravel and Wine
Lucinda Williams - Good Souls Better Angels
Reignwolf - Hear Me Out (just downloaded so I haven’t listened in full)
Des Rocs - Martyr Parade, Let the Vultures In, and the Wayne single (also new to me)

I DO NOT like The Black Keys. That’s example to me of something that tries for this type of sound but misses the mark and feels flat to me. Also The Strokes gets recommended all the time and I don't like that much either beyond their big hits.

I like a variety of music but I've been in this ~*mood*~ lately. I really enjoy interesting and gravely female vocalists. So anything that makes you want to put on a denim or moto jacket and rock out.

posted by Crystalinne to Media & Arts (15 answers total)

G. Love & Special Sauce have been doing their brand of Philly Blues Rock for quite a while, covering a lot of territory within the genre. The Things That I Used to Do is an example of their uptempo, soulful work that I really like.
posted by SaltySalticid at 3:32 PM on May 27, 2020

Tedeschi Trucks Band, "Just as Strange." Excellent guitar work, gorgeous bluesy and soulful vocals from Susan Tedeschi, and it's a very tight band. Also their "Shame" and "Don't Know What It Means" (Lucinda should totally cover this one).
posted by MonkeyToes at 3:48 PM on May 27, 2020 [2 favorites]

Fantastic Negrito
ZZ Ward
posted by Pirate-Bartender-Zombie-Monkey at 4:01 PM on May 27, 2020 [1 favorite]

Noisettes
posted by dizziest at 4:12 PM on May 27, 2020 [1 favorite]

Gary Clark, Jr. - This Land, NPR Tiny Desk Set
Buddy Guy - Sweet Tea, "Baby Please Don't Leave Me"
RL Burnside - A Ass Pocket Full of Whiskey, "Shake 'em on Down"
Neko Case - Live from Austin. from Minneapolis.
Jolie Holland - Escondida "All the Morning Birds"
Sault - 5 or 7 [stretch, more soulful, less rock/bluesy]
Hiss Golden Messenger - Heart Like a Levee or Terms of Surrender
posted by SoundInhabitant at 4:36 PM on May 27, 2020 [2 favorites]

DR. DOG
posted by bleep at 4:38 PM on May 27, 2020

Greta Van Fleet?
Early Kings of Leon?
Led Zeppelin??
posted by STFUDonnie at 4:42 PM on May 27, 2020 [1 favorite]

Grace Potter and the Nocturnals - Paris (Ooh La La)
posted by sigmagalator at 4:43 PM on May 27, 2020 [1 favorite]

Based on the songs spotify recommended to me after listening to Reignwolf the other day-
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club
All Them Witches
Them Crooked Vultures
posted by Kris10_b at 6:49 PM on May 27, 2020

The Bones of J.R. Jones- The Heat
North Mississippi Allstars- Rollin 'n Tumblin
The Record Company- Make It Happen
JJ Grey and Mofro- Your Lady, She's Shady
Hannah Williams & The Affirmations- 50 Foot Woman
Larkin Poe- Black Betty
posted by EKStickland at 7:03 PM on May 27, 2020 [2 favorites]

I mainly came here to recommend Alabama Shakes, but I also wonder if this is something:
When I listen to your examples and then play The Black Keys and The Strokes for comparison, a difference that jumps out at me (besides the amount of vocal gravel) is the way their recordings are mixed. Your jams all have guitar and drums — the kick drum especially — very forward in the mix. Like, the kick might as well be inside your skull. Whereas those other two bands tend to have a more vocal-forward mix with the drums and guitar a little further back.
I'd be curious to hear what of the other recommendations you're getting into the most, and if the mix is a factor.
posted by D.Billy at 8:10 PM on May 27, 2020 [3 favorites]

Link Wray (and crank it)
posted by bonobothegreat at 10:06 PM on May 27, 2020

May not be as fast as you're looking for, but try Ray Wylie Hubbard's "Roll and Tumble." ("Mother Blues" hits the spot for me too.)

A while back I asked about "greasy" music, and got some helpful answers w/r/t identifying just what I like about it.
posted by MonkeyToes at 7:53 AM on May 28, 2020 [1 favorite]

Clutch?
posted by knapah at 10:16 AM on May 28, 2020

Uncle Lucius -Somewhere Else

JD McPherson -Let the Good Times Roll

Turnpike Troubadours -Winding Stair Mountain Blues

Rev Peyton - Poor Until Payday
posted by The_Vegetables at 1:31 PM on May 28, 2020