Jonathan Tyler & The Northern Lights,
Hot Trottin'

Label: self-released
Released: 2007

(4½ out of 5)

I think I've sustained my first injury after four-plus years of writing here. Both calves ache from the impossibility of keeping my feet still while listening to Jonathan Tyler & The Northern Lights' Hot Trottin'. The 23-year-old Dallasite and his stellar band mash the bluesy sensitivity of John Mayer, the glam shimmer of Lenny Kravitz, and the southern-fried rock 'n roll soul of Chris Robinson. Fueled by love and lust, they rip through 10 songs ranging from the growling fuck-you of "Gypsy Woman" to the ready-made-for-a-slowdance "Sunshine." Tyler's vocals are strong throughout, and his three-piece Northern Lights simply kick ass. Hot Trottin' is an amazingly accomplished album that belies its creators' relative youth. I'm no soothsayer, but if I were I think I'd foretell a major label deal in their future.

Listen: "Gypsy Woman", "The Other Side", "Sunshine", "Time for Love"

Buy: Amazon MP3, iTunes

March 28, 2008