Cat Out Of Hell

3rd album from NYC-based band that serves up folk rock, pop, Americana and a bit of alt country. Fantastic Cat brings together four singer-songwriters led by Brian Dunne (2025’s “Clams Casino”). Three have their own solo careers and the fourth fronts another group as well. The tracks on this album shift seamlessly among the genres, with arrangements blending guitar, piano, organ, strings and drums. High energy on most of the cuts, with only a couple of ballads. The goal was to create a live feeling, even though the album was recorded in the studio. RIYL: Dr. Dog, Bruce Springsteen, Avett Brothers, Delta Spirit.
— Francis

Recommended: 4, 2, 1, 8, 10, 11, 3. FCCs on unedited Tracks 13, 14 and 15.

1. (4:02) Donnie Takes The Bus — Simulated live opener. Begins with cheering crowd effects. A rollickingly exuberant Americana stomp with guitar, honky-tonk piano and pounding drums. Crowd sounds out. ****
2. (3:23) The Waiting Room (Clean Edit) — A Brian Dunne composition with a strong hook. Yearning vocals over guitar and plinking piano, with choruses that encourage you to sing along. ****
3. (4:01) Elevator — Alt country, with some pedal steel guitar licks and a kickin’ dance hall backbeat. **
4. (4:14) Don’t Let Go — Up-tempo pop rock song that’s super catchy. Heartbeat rhythm. Arresting lyrics powered by emotive vocals. Urgent pace set to tumbling drums. Second single, but it might be the best. ****
5. (2:56) How’s That Working Out — Brash, spirited rocker. Harkens back to raw rock ‘n’ roll from an earlier era. A goer!
6. (4:38) Back To The Beginning — Slower, with a sad and wistful vibe. Big and anthemic. Showcases a mournful pedal steel guitar.
7. (4:13) I Spoke To God A Lot Last Year — Heartland rock, with earnest vocals over a full arrangement featuring guitar, piano and cracking drums.
8. (4:47) Mona Be Still — Beautiful ballad, again composed by Dunne. Timeless lyrics, beautifully supported by guitars, organ, strings, piano and an intricate rhythm. Extended lead break featuring a guitar solo. ****
9. (4:09) No Goddamn Way — A bold, in-your-face anthem that rails against disappointments and attests to the strength of resilient relationships. Rocker with a bounce to it.
10. (3:17) L U C Y (Clean Edit) — An energetic, up-tempo Americana tune with strummy acoustic and electric guitars, tambourine and more. ***
11. (4:28) Turn Off The Lights (Clean Edit) — Sprawling, cinematic ballad with soaring vocals, ringing guitars, full orchestration and even harmonica. ***
12. (3:49) Nobody Better — Simple acoustic closer. Honest and unvarnished. “There ain’t nobody better than nobody else.”
13. (3:23) The Waiting Room (Explicit) — FCC: Fuck it — Unedited version of Track 2.
14. (3:17) L U C Y (Explicit) — FCC: shit — Unedited version of Track 10.
15. (4:30) Turn Off The Lights (Explicit) — FCC: shit — Unedited version of Track 11.