The cliché “Don’t judge a book by the cover” does and does not apply to the cosmically colorful artwork that adorns the forthcoming sophomore album, Nowhere Left To Go, from Brothers Brown.

The thirteen songs written and produced by the bluesy Americana jam band are a rainbow of musical styles. Both the cover and the songs on the Woodward Avenue Records collection dropping January 12th, 2024 are vividly imaginative and vibrant.

While the vintage Volkswagen van on the cover symbolizes the carefree era of the psychedelic 1960s, the eclectic blend heard on the album is far from retro. It’s a distinctly modern - perhaps even a futuristic set - reflecting the amalgam of art and culture of the present day.

The cartoonish illustration on the album cover accurately captures the spirited personality and wildly stylish character of Grammy nominee Brother Paul Brown (The Waterboys), the band’s vivacious keyboardist. He co-founded the group with his two-time Grammy-winning namesake, guitarist and singer-songwriter Paul Brown, who has produced more than sixty No. 1 singles for a galaxy of contemporary jazz stars including George Benson, Norman Brown, Boney James and Al Jarreau.

The Nashville-based Brother Paul Brown met the Los Angeles-based Paul Brown at the Grammy Awards in 2014. The four-piece band is completed in equal measure by a taut rhythm section comprised of bassist David Santos (Billy Joel, John Fogerty, Elton John) and drummer-percussionist Peter Young (Loretta Lynn, The Burrito Brothers). Both Nashville-based musicians add vocals and guitar parts to Brothers Brown’s first new album since their 2016 debut, “Dusty Road.”

While the members of Brothers Brown are decorated veterans, “Nowhere Left To Go” is only their second outing as a band thus they’re considered newcomers again, which they find invigorating.

1. Wrong Side of Town
2. Junior’s Back
3. Runnin’ Blues
4. Nowhere Left to Go [feat. Bobby Rush]
5. My Baby
6. High Up on the Mountain
7. Chitlin’ Pickin’
8. Brand New Day
9. Whatcha Gonna Do
10. Give Me One Reason
11. Snakehole Road
12. Black and Blue
13. Fifteen Minutes

This brand new recording opens on the smooth hipsway found within Wrong Side of Town and the earthy blues of Junior’s Back and then we get the low slung, Hammond-hued Runnin’ Blues, the funky Nowhere Left to Go [featuring blues legend Bobby Rush], and both the all-embracing, warm blues vibe that runs through My Baby and the harmonized balladry of High Up on the Mountain.

Along next is the upbeat, playful instrumental Chitlin’ Pickin’ and the foot-tapper Brand New Day and they are in turn backed seamlessly by the dutifully sculpted Whatcha Gonna Do, the free flowing, gently-paced AOR ambiance within Give Me One Reason (itself about the end of a relationship), the gritty Snakehole Road (which reflects on hidden places where all forms of debauchery go down), the album rounding out on the jam session that drives Black and Blue, closing on the laid low, Hammond-fed back bone found within the instrumental Fifteen Minutes.

“There aren’t that many new artists coming along doing what we’re doing. Playing this music is like putting on your favorite old pair of blue jeans. Perfect fit and feel. We all grew up listening to and playing this type of music. It’s so great to be able to finally let it all hang out and do exactly what we want without all the restraints of the record business and trying to make a living. It’s gonna be a blast playing these songs live. I’m very proud of what we’ve accomplished and love being a part of Brothers Brown,” said “LA” Paul Brown about their unique mix of soulful blues, rootsy Americana, jam band grooves, edgy rock and twangy country nuances.

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