Walter Trout Ordinary Madness 180g LP (Transparent Red Vinyl)

For Walter Trout, there is no 'us' and 'them'. Across his five-decade career, the great US bluesman's music has always been a lifeline and call-to-arms, reminding listeners they are not alone. Now, as the world seeks solace from a tragedy that has touched us all, he comes armed with a boundary-exploring new studio album and eleven searingly honest songs that bring his fans even closer.

"There's a lot of extraordinary madness going on right now," considers Trout, of the COVID-19 crisis. "This album started because I was dealing with the flaws and weaknesses inside me. But through the writing process it became clear that the feelings I'm dealing with are universal."

Once again Trout teamed up with his long-time producer Eric Corne, and bunkered down in the private LA studio of the Door's legend Robby Krieger. What resulted was Trout at his musically best as he branched out to expand his horizons. The triumph of last year's Survivor Blues reaffirmed Trout's blues-rock pedigree and positioned him amongst the scene's pack-leaders. "But that's not all I am," he counters. "I'm also a songwriter. Of course, everything I do is based in the blues, and I'll never turn my back on it, but Ordinary Madness is an evolution of my songwriting. The artists I respect most - from Bob Dylan to Neil Young - are the ones who seem to be fearless and push the envelope. They inspired me to do the same."

As with all great confessional albums, Ordinary Madness is both deeply personal and utterly ubiquitous. As these songs unfold their message speaks from the perspective of the songwriter, while ultimately chronicling the human condition. And in this unprecedented era, with our souls and spirits under fire from tumultuous global events, the cathartic song craft and themes of shared troubles couldn't chime better. "I can't wait for people to hear Ordinary Madness," says Trout. "Because I think this album speaks to these times."