Okay, the verdict is in. I’ve spun the eponymous Nathaniel Rateliff & the Nightsweats at least 20 times now and it’s a legit CD of the year candidate. I’m hearing influences ranging from Sam Cooke to Van Morrison to old Appalachian gospel. Let’s check a couple vids, shall we? Here’s the one people seem to be raving about, “SOB.”

And here’s the one everybody ought to be raving about. If you love Sam Cooke as much as I do, you can’t help digging “Howling at Nothing.”

Happy Saturday, everyone.