Self-Released

Guitarist/vocalist George McConnell doesn’t waste any time in letting you know that he and The Nonchalants mean business on Cheers Sports Fans! “Take Me to the Show” leads off with all the thunder of vintage Who at Leeds. From there, Cheers offers everything from moments of raggedy-ass Exile-style grittiness ( “A Thousand Things” ) to midnight gasoline shimmer ( “Burn
In Flames” ) to bar-slamming swagger ( “Kill The Man” ) and wistful stagger ( “Grinning Mischievously” ). “Bay Of Scorn” has the acoustic-electric yin-yang of a cool old Grin tune, while “Black Mamba” is sheer grease. If John Sebastian and Taj Mahal spent an afternoon together hangin’ on the riverbank, then it would sound just like “Whistlin’ Fishin’ Blues.” And “Oldsmobile Blues” is one of those had-to-be-the-album-closer tunes à la the Stones’ “Moonlight Mile.” This is the sound of a talented man in a good place in life. Cheers to you, George.