August 12 2025
Three decades into their career, California-based Kelly’s Lot is still evolving their sound. Comprised of singer Kelly Zirbes and guitarist Perry Robertson, on their latest, Late Bloomer, the duo mixes in everything from Blues and Folk to snatches of Southern Rock into their Americana sound. The result is an endearing musical vibe that manages to come off as both satisfyingly nostalgic and refreshingly original.
The band’s 18 th album, starts off with “Pied Piper” an upbeat, early stand out track, actuated by slide guitar and clarinet. The infectious “Savior” is another solid moment on the record.
Part of the band’s charm is the eclectic influences that shape their sound, The groove heavy title track has a strong early ‘90s jam band vibe, reminiscent of Poi Dog Pondering and Rusted Root, while a song like “Let Live” sounds like something from a Rosanne Cash record. You can also hear echoes of everyone from The BoDeans and Neko Case to Bonnie Raitt through the near dozen tracks that make up Late Bloomer.
While the band’s last album took a sharp turn into Blues, this record gets back to their more Roots-based sound. Late Bloomer closes on an optimistic note with “Where There Is Hope,” a song that – while not explicitly political - seems tailor made for current times, focusing on the good where and when you find it and the promise of living in peace at
some point.
John B. Moore has been covering the seemingly disparate, but surprisingly complimentary genres of Americana and punk rock for the past 20 years.
Blurt/New Noise Magazine/InSite Atlanta/NeuFutur Magazine
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