Some of my TBR friends have heard me get on

the soap box on how hard it is to follow up a great breakthrough album (one that took a band many years to accumulate and refine their 15 songs) with a sophomore release that only takes them a year or two to record.


Very hard.


Rolling Stones gave it four-stars (click here), Siskel & Ebert a two thumbs up and TBR Ramble a big smile.


Dawes’ “Stories Don’t End” (website) like its predecessor (click here) is its own unique blend of Jackson Browne/California Hills sound that transcends Rock and Pop and succeeds only if the songs are really good.


Dawes can write and play great songs.  Unfortunately, I’ve seen them play live a few times…and definitely, absolutely prefer the studio versions. 


But, this ain’t supposed to be a Debbie-downer…


Songs you should check out for yourself…


They have great lyrics, fat texture and modernness that gives them a style all their own.





“From a Window Seat”

“Someone Will”

“Hey Lover” (a Blake Mills cover)

As a special bonus…here is the Blake Mills version if you don’t know the song.