Pete Kronowitt - Do Something Now
Here's a folksy set of tunes, some of which, like "Do Something Now," reflect today's zeitgeist, but without the hostility. In fact the title cut, which minces no words in telling listeners to "get off your ass," is downright bouncy with a catchy earworm chorus. But Kronowitt, a Bay Area resident and known activist, delves into other genres here too. "We're All Gonna Die" has the feeling of Jimmy Buffett at his lighthearted best, as does the whimsical "Roly Poly," and the country-ish "You Never Ever Never Know" might fool some into thinking the singer is Dwight Yoakam. The laid-back "Learn to Be," complete with weepy steel guitar, is a tongue-in-cheek assessment of those who ignore everything around them while obsessing with what's on their phone; not so political as the title cut but still a potent commentary on humanity today. Listeners shouldn't worry that this effort is too preachy for comfort; the messages are there but they're all delivered in fun ways, so dive into that first then hopefully, go out and make a difference.

John 'Pops' Dennie - I've Got Something to Say
This Texas-based singer/songwriter and guitarist (and social activist) presents a commentary on the hardship so many are going through right now with opening cut "Rose Garden." The pointed but hopeful song sets the mood for the effort; it's commentary on everything from low wages to the building of walls resolves that love and understanding will go a long way in alleviating these problems. The Little Feat-like title track though, is a song of admiration for a love interest and not a social commentary. "Long Black Cadillac Train" is a slow and resolute elegy; exactly to the opposite is the joyous romp that is "Creole Lady" where a great slide guitar line from Matthew Tedder adds a haunted vibe to the tale Dennie spins. "The Pendulum Swings" is another really upbeat song, loping along to a finger-snapping beat that makes the song, like the titular pendulum, swing like crazy. The solid set closes with "Here We Are," an especially relevant cut that, while not mentioning names, is clearly about the negative people in government and civil and racial unrest. It is refreshing to hear protest in wordplay without animus, and Dennie does it exceptionally well.