The Key Studio Sessions: Cold Roses

It’s both a blessing and a curse: the more a band adheres to a time-tested, tried-and-true rock n’ roll sound, the harder it can sometimes be for that band to stand out from the pack. But even in a city with as robust a blues / Americana scene as Philly, Cold Roses makes an impact.

Here’s how: killer arrangements punctuated by a punchy horn section. Hooks for days. Direct, heartfelt songwriting by frontman Rob Clancy. The term “Springsteenian” would not be inappropriate in this circumstance, especially on “No Silence in the City,” the title track from its 2014 debut LP. Though if you couldn’t pick it up by their band name, Ryan Adams is also a huge reference point for Clancy and co., and you can hear traces of him in the new “Stayin’ Alive Ain’t Easy,” one of a handful of songs the band debuted during its Key Studio Session this week.

Stream and download the set below, and catch Cold Roses during one of its shows this spring: May 1st at Bourbon and Branch, May 16th opening for Breaking Benjamin at Wells Fargo Center and May 22nd at Connie’s Ric Rac. Tickets and information can be found at the XPN Concert Calendar.