Norman's Rockwell

“The Murderous Haircut of the Mayor of Bel Air” is a trippy new mystery novel from Phillip Mottaz. It captures the grit and gilt of the City of Angels with the flair of a contemporary Raymond Chandler. The brisk pace and wit are reminiscent of Douglas Adams’s entries in the detective game. Flourishes of  Fletch  and “Medium” also spring to mind. However, Mottaz has added a psychic/mutant/superhuman touch and his own comedic voice, structure and internal monologues to the proceedings that help the author announce his own style and the arrival of a literary heroine for a new generation. Hairstylist and budding private investigator, Danica Luman is the perfect character to convey the irony, angst and sarcasm needed to tell a 21st century L.A. crime story. Danica also represents anyone who thought it would be neat to get tangled up in a mystery and the darkly comic cautionary tale that follows. The genre is recognizable, but Mottaz offers a fresh take on the not-ready-for-prime-ti...

Lord Huron - Long Lost  Republic, 2021 Released on Whispering Pines Records & Tapes, Lord Huron’s new LP Long Lost is a Fabulist & Western concept album. The band has traditionally tapped into the spirit of Hank Williams, Springsteen and Roy Orbison with lovelorn, operatic flair. Ghosts are never too far, either, and Lord Huron have never been ‘fraid of them or reverb. They have added to their usual cinematic repertoire by way of interludes jarring and organic, spoken word introductions (maybe label founder Tubbs Tarbell?) and reprises, enhanced by headphone listening. The result is an experience that sounds like a vintage radio show produced by David Lynch with lead singer Ben Schneider in the role of Special Agent Chester Desmond’s musical nephew’s doppelgänger. Standout songs are the stunning title track Long Lost, I Lied, and Not Dead Yet. The last quarter of the album is a dream state soundscape, Time’s Blur, the band becoming the radio wave escaping earth’s atmospher...

Hey Soulmates, been some time, but many of you on Facebook have already seen that Rush Hour Soul is back. I am very excited that while we are looking back at the 15th anniversary of our 2006 UK tour, there are things happening behind the scenes for 2021. For those unfamiliar, Rush Hour Soul is a trio with myself on bass and lead vocals. We were a part of the Indie/Powerpop scene in Los Angeles from 2004-2008, although our style was heavily informed by the Rolling Stones, Chic, ABC, and Sam & Dave. Funkier than our peers.  The well-known venues Rush Hour Soul played around Los Angeles included The El Rey, B.B. King's Blues Club and The Hard Rock Cafe. Our travels in Britain took us to Sheffield, Liverpool, York and back to London. There was a four day detour to Monnow Valley Studios in Wales where recorded in the old manor house. We shot a music video in London, as well. 2006 was a magical summer for the band. In 2008, the project was rechristened as a solo recording under my n...

Now that the year is done, here are my Top 10 favorite recordings released in 2020. No order. Hope you discovered new music to elevate you. Keep your ears open in 2021. Dua Lipa - "Break My Heart" The Stokes - "Bad Decisions" BTS - "Dynamite" Evie Sands - "If You Give Up" Brian Whelan - "So Long Blue" Polo G - "Wishing For A Hero" Kevin McGowan - "Lennon Said" Harry Styles - "Watermelon Sugar" Liam Gallagher - "All You're Dreaming Of" Misterwives - "Superbloom" #top10