Magnolia Boulevard – Magnolia Boulevard (New Release)
Magnolia Boulevard was formed in Lexington, KY in 2017, the brainchild of Maggie Noelle and Ryan Allen. They shared a vision of forming a rock ‘n’ soul band tied to their Appalachian roots. The result was Magnolia Boulevard. After years of honing their sound and sharing stages with the likes of Blues Traveler, George Porter Jr., and Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band, they have spent 2025 releasing a new single every month. The end result will be a self-titled, full-length album due out November 28.
Noelle’s idols are Bonnie Raitt and Susan Tedeschi and their influence is apparent on “Strong-Willed Woman,” “It’s About Damned Time,” and “Man Over.” You may even hear more than a little of Janis Joplin in her vocals.
Alongside Noelle and Allen (keys, vocals), the other members of Magnolia Boulevard are Roddy Puckett (bass, vocals), Austin Lewis (lead guitar), and Brandon Johnson (drums). They have endured their share of ups and downs since forming in eight years ago. Like many of us they experienced the turmoil of the COVID pandemic, the sorrow following the death of Todd Copeland, their beloved original drummer, and the joys of welcoming Maggie’s daughter into the world.
Yet, through it all their blend of southern rock and the Delta blues, topped with a hearty helping of Americana and Appalachian soul has resonated with audiences everywhere. Magnolia Boulevard’s emphatic and empowering anthems of love, self-discovery, grief, and uncertainty are on full display in this, their first full-length album. Magnolia Boulevard serves as a lesson to us all about life’s unpredictable nature and how to better live in the moment so we can appreciate everything and everyone around us before they’re gone.
The Rousers – Rousers 1979 Sire Sessions (Archival Release)
The punk music scene was alive and well in New York City in the late 1970s. The New York Dolls, The Ramones, The Miamis, Blondie, and many more were the talk of the town. Among those “many more” were The Rousers, a group of high school friends from Weston, Connecticut.
You can be forgiven if you have not heard of The Rousers. Their big break turned out to be a big bust. They recorded with Sire Records, a subdivision Warner Bros., but the album was never released. Bill Dickson, an original Rouser, spoke to us about that and the interview will appear soon in American Blues Scene.
Dickson says the album is “jam-packed with hits.” He can be forgiven if his opinion comes across as a bit biased. He and his mates did put a lot of effort into it. The tracks have been characterized as “just demos.” There are many bands out there whose demos should sound so good.
It is hard not to feel energized listening to “Be My Girl,” “Movin’ And Groovin,” “Bumblebee Boogie,” and “Twanged If I Do, Twanged If I Don’t.” The sound harkens back to the rockabilly and R&B popular in the ‘50s. “Some of our sound was sort of, I guess you could call it Neo Rockabilly,” Dickson said. “There was an awareness and love of that music. We used to cover “Jeannie, Jeannie, Jeannie” by Eddie Cochran.”
The ‘50s sound would not be complete without some teenage angst. “Smother” and “If You Need Me” fill that bill. Those who like the punk music and rockabilly sound of the Stray Cats will find Rousers 1979 Sire Sessions worth a listen.
Max Gomez – Memory Mountain (New Release)
This album debuted back on August 29, 2025, and I am kicking myself for not reviewing it sooner. Max Gomez has been compared to such luminaries as John Prine, Townes Van Zandt, and Jackson Browne. Those comparisons do not miss the mark.
That being said, Gomez has a songwriting style all his own. From the mellow opening track “Good Friends” to the reflective closing “Memory Mountain” he creates images dipped in a Western folk sound both cosmic and country. “Don’t Leave Me Lonely” is a plaintive waltz trying to reconcile a desire to keep someone “by my side” while declaring “you are free to stay or go as you please.
We have all taken a journey of the “Lost Train Of Thought.” With such deep observations as “even an onion can make you cry,” the song provides plenty of food for thought.
Gomez grew up in Taos, New Mexico, where he fell under the influence of country blues early on. That influence is on full display in the whimsical tune “New Mexico.”
Memory Mountain was released on Max Gomez’s own Marveltone Records label. Gomez considers it to be more than a label. It is designed as a creative home for timeless voices and heartfelt production. Every recording — from stripped acoustic takes to full-band sessions – will reflect a devotion to authenticity and emotional resonance – a refreshing alternative in an age of noise and algorithm.
