Taylor Hollingsworth

Like a particularly good bar musician, Taylor Hollingsworth has a song to suit every mood. Over Bad Little Kitty’s 19 tracks, he covers everything from swaggering lad rock on "Shout It Out” to gentle folk with two-part harmonies on "Christmas Blues.” The Alabama native is a guitarist with Conor Oberst and the Mystic Valley Band, but his music lacks the psychedelic quality of his side project. Instead, his third solo album follows a much less sophisticated blues rock template. Kings of Leon and Black Rebel Motorcycle Club are key reference points, and on fuzzy scorcher "Assassinate The President,” Hollingsworth could even be paying tribute to BRMC’s provocative anthem "US Government.” But despite the changes in tempo, Bad Little Kitty lacks any satisfying depth. Hollingsworth’s music is best seen live on a boozy night out in a dingy bar. On record, it’s much more hit and miss.