September 08 2025
Late Bloomer is a curious title for a band that’s issuing their 18th album. As the principal duo, vocalist Kelly Zirbes and acoustic guitarist Perry Robertson move further into an Americana mode, and away from their early start as a blues band, it’s perhaps a recognition of their folk roots which are on fine display in this offering of eleven songs. Keep in mind though Kelly’s Lot is not just a duo perched on stools sharing a mic. At the core, they are a four-piece band, but here they feature L.A.’s Americana mainstay Doug Pettibone on pedal steel, mandolin, and guitars. In addition, there are five other guests playing on select tracks.
On second thought, the term late bloomer likely references the script on the inside jacket, in short, that they have become truth seekers and purveyors of protest songs. There is at least one obvious one here and arguably there are a couple of others. They take a direct assault on King Orange in “Bully” with lines like these - “Taking someone’s freedom don’t make you tough” and later, “Forcing your belief adds hate to the world,” and “Hurting everyone and blaming everyone else.” Even the album opener, though less direct, could be interpreted in a similar vein as the lyrics speak to ‘only lies to sell.”
Yet, the bulk of the album moves in other directions too. The narrative “A Miner’s Ode” captures the grim emotion of what that hard luck life offers. There’s the autobiographical title track that speaks to neither of my aforementioned interpretations of the term, simply a paean to maturity, if nothing else with guitarist Rob Zucca weilding a mean axe, and a bluesy element that’s generally absent in most of the album. They reveal their twangy side on “Daddy” with Pettibone’s great touch on the pedal steel. They make perseverance real on the enduring love song “This Time” while practically hailing surrender in “I Don’t Understand” and expressing vulnerability and heartbreak in “Terry.” Throughout the music rings like classic Americana - jangling guitars and a bent toward country. The band spices it up in a couple of places with Bill Johnston on clarinet for “Pied Piper” and Phil Parlapiano”s accordion on “Savior” and pump organ on “MIner’s Ode.”
Through this myriad of emotions that range from deep love to distress, anger, and regret, Zirbes and Perry close the album admirably. “Where There Is Hope” is a hearty plea (and we surely desperately need it) for peace and understanding. Taken as a whole over a three-decade career Kelly’s Lot has proved adept at blues, rock, and over the past couple of efforts, a folksy brand of Americana. Kudos to them for continuing to evolve their rootsy sound.
Jim Hynes is an independent contributor on music for several magazines, including Elmore and Country Standard Time. He has also written for Variety. He was a listener-supported public station(s) radio host for 25 years in CT, MI, NJ and PA. He is also a Live music host/Emcee at several national and regional venues.