KK’s Pick Six 12.2

KK Law
Middays, 10am – 2pm, WTYU.rocks (Starting Jan. 2025)

The boss doesn’t let up—homework, even on the weekends! This time, it’s another stack of new music to explore, and I’ve pulled these six off the shelf to get tuned up on this week. Give them a spin and let me know your thoughts—or better yet, share your own Six Pack with me. You’ll hear these tracks soon on WTYU.rocks!

If you dig any of these songs and want to buy, just click on the song name using our Amazon code. Your purchase helps us cover operation costs and, most importantly, supports great bands making great music. Thanks for keeping rock alive! 🎸🍻

 

Babylon Shakes – “Love Lies Bleeding”

It’s great to hear a new track from these guys—hopefully, it’s a sign that more is on the way. Guys? I’ve enjoyed following the Shakes’ journey as their musical style has evolved, but “Love Lies Bleeding” takes us back to what they do really well: that classic sound reminiscent of their Exile to the Velveteen Lounge days. For fans of Faster Pussycat and L.A. Guns, this is one to add to your playlist.

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Stone Horses – “Die Young”

Man, this is a catchy number that grows stronger with each listen. The riff pulls you right in, and John Allen’s opening howl sets the tone perfectly. It’s a hard-rockin’ blues number that feels as much like a prayer as it does a song. This track is a prime example of why Baltimore’s Stone Horses stands out in the New Wave of Classic Rock, showcasing all the best qualities of the genre.

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Scarlet Rebels – “We’re the Broken”

This Welsh band is tops of my standout discoveries over the past few years. Welsh frontman Wayne Doyle has a voice that grabs you, and his lyrics have a substance that makes you stop and listen. Honestly, you could start with anything they’ve released to see why they’ve made such an impression on me. But this song and their latest album, Where The Colours Meet, are perfect starting points.

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Lucifer Star Machine – “Baby Outlaw”

A cover of Elle King’s “Baby Outlaw,” which already stood out with its spaghetti western vibe and her cool vocal style. Hamburg, Germany’s Lucifer Star Machine (a damn good band name, by the way) brings a whole new hard rock edge to the track. While the sound is their own, they’ve managed to keep that cinematic flavor intact—I can picture the character and the scene in the movie. This is great introduction to the band, and while I’m intrigued by their hard-driving style, I’ll need to hear more before deciding where they sit in my playlist.

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Smith/Kotzen – “White Noise”

This duo was love at first listen for me, and this song is no exception. On paper, Adrian Smith and Richie Kotzen might seem like an unexpected pairing, but once you hear them sing and play together, it’s an absolute no-brainer. Their voices and styles blend together so damn well!

Richie’s a prolific machine, always juggling solo work and Winery Dogs, while Adrian, of course, has his Iron Maiden duties. Still, I hope they keep finding time for Smith/Kotzen projects. And let’s close the gap between albums, guys—three years to get us Black Light/White Noise is too long. Their mix of blues, hard rock, and traditional R&B is just too good to wait for.

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Tesla – “All About Love” (Electric Version)

Tesla’s new EP offers this track in a few flavors—electric, live, acoustic, and even a hybrid version. They started performing it live before recording it, and they wanted to show  a good song works in different styles. Callback to Baby Outlaw by Elle King and Lucifer Star Machine—same song, different approach, but both versions work. Tesla proved their point about versatility years ago with Five Man Acoustical Jam back in 1990, and they’re still at it.

Full disclosure: I’ve always loved Tesla. They’ve been criminally underappreciated by classic rock radio (at least in my area), but fans like me know their worth. They’ve grown over the years while staying true to their roots—consistent, never going away, and always delivering. Honestly, you could take a five-hour car ride with just Tesla as your soundtrack and not regret a second.

One of the things I love most about Tesla is seeing what they’ll try next—whether it’s a covers album, acoustical jam, a left turn like the Shock album or Frank Hannon covering Gary Wright’s “Love Is Alive.” Whatever direction they take, it just works for me. This song, especially, feels perfectly suited for where they are now, right in Jeff Keith’s hippie wheelhouse. It’s another reminder of why they remain one of my all-time favorites.