Hailing from Chicago, Illinois is a formative Garage-Blues-Rock band going by the name Rosetta West. Releasing independent music ditially and on CD since the 1990s, their music is a wonderful time capsule of straight forward, kick-ass guitar oriented hard rock that at times reminds me of artists like Kenny Wayne Sheppard and Black Stone Cherry.
ORDER “NIGHT’S CROSS” BY ROSETTA WEST ON BANDCAMP NOW!”
Rosetta West released a full-length album recently on January 16th titled, “Night’s Cross.” The album’s twelve tracks flow together very well, emitting a captivating listening experience from beginning to end. I find it particularly conventional in that sense, each song cumulatively contributes to an overall “vibe” of the record.
Upon my first listen, the bluesy chops played on both electric and acoustic guitar also brought to mind echoes of Days of the New to my nostalgia as well. I really dig the sound, if you’re a fan of any of those previously mentioned bands (as I am); I would profess to say that Rosetta West is a great indie find for you.
An interesting observation I had, distinct from the aforementioned bands, is an underlying element of Folk music. Percussive sure, but clearly driven rhythmically by the strummed acoustic guitars. The vocal performances are free in spirit like the blues coupled with the abandonment of a Rock singer. It’s like if Simon and Garfunkel mused over Muddy Waters and Creedence Clearwater Revival and sang it like Lemmy Kilmister. Very cool stuff.
Lyrically, I found it prolific. I hope they post them on Bandcamp eventually, I’d be interested in reading them along to the record. Themes of death, existential crisis, love, loss, and a person named “Dora Lee” spans the range of audible narration.
All songs on the album are solid, but a few that I’d shout out as my favorites that I went back for a few laps on were:
“Save Me” – the opening tune to the record, it posesses great upbeat dynamics, and I love the vocals – they have a great flow to them. Addictively melodic.
“Dora Lee” – the feel of this song reminds me of grunge song – likely where I probably picked up on some “Days of the New” vibes mentioned earlier, it rocks. Riddled with cool bluesy guitar licks, the vocals sound anguished as the band sings “nothin in my mind except you” – assumedly about this Dora Lee character. This song features a cool rockin guitar solo and it must be a cool thing to see live.
“You’ll be the Death of Me” – Musically this is the song that reminds me most of a CCR vibe. There are fantastic percussions to it, bongos and the whole nine, that just give it a neat foot stomping Bluesy feel. Interestingly, there is a lyrical call to back to Dora Lee once again in the chorus: ” Dora Lee, Dora Lee, You’ll be the death of me..” another infectiously melodic phrasing in the hook of the song.
“Alligator Farm” – I’m particuarly smitten with the slide guitar on this track. Really well done. I found this song the most interesting lyrically as well, as the band sets the premise with lines like “working nightime security at an alligator farm” and “lord I was always so high” – ultimately resolving to a song about “contemplating salvation.” The vocal line that sings along on top of the Blues lead guitar is again, also very catchy and makes it primed to be a tune that you find yourself singing along to.
Hope you have as good a time as I did listening to this record, check it out and support it!
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“Save Me” – the opening tune to the record, it posesses great upbeat dynamics, and I love the vocals – they have a great flow to them. Addictively melodic.
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On BandcampRosetta West’s new album
rosettawest.bandcamp.com/album/nights…
— Jpgchief (@jpgchief.bsky.social) 11 de febrero de 2025, 11:31
@jpgchief 🚨#NewMusic🚨 🛑#ListenNow🛑 🔥#NewAlbum🔥 New Music "Night's Cross" by #RosettaWest in this post “Dora Lee” @Jpgchief @Jpgchief @Jpgchief Lyrically, I found it prolific. Themes of death, existential crisis, love, loss, and a person named "Dora Lee" spans the range of audible narration. ⭐STREAM / ORDER ON BANDCAMP NOW⭐ #LessThan1000Followers #FreshSingles #IndieOnly #AlterindieStateOfMind #12NewSongsThisWeek #ChillFolkAcoustic #UnknownButEssentials #SickestandDopest #BLOGLT1KF #LT1KF ♬ original sound – Jpgchief
Ver en Threads
Remember to show some love and support this project, follow Rosetta West on X, YouTube, Apple Music, and Spotify. If you enjoy this music and can provide monetary support, visit the artist’s Bandcamp page.
It also helps to stream and share their music; you can find it in the following Playlists: Less Than 1,000 Followers, Fresh Singles, Indie Only, Alterindie State Of Mind, 12 New Songs This Week, Chill – Folk – Acoustic, Sickest & Dopest, Unknown But Essentials!
Remember that you can always find me here AMS Radio for all my social media and collaborations.
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