Melon Jelly - The Road to Memphis (2025)

Melon Jelly makes Southern swampy blues with soul-searching, electric groovin’ vibes in songs that ask for absolution, with hat in hand, and proclaim love out loud. Fronted by Mark Nesmith, Melon Jelly does this and then some with all new original blues numbers on their new album: The Road to Memphis.

“Time is a Thief ” launches the album with a sweaty humidity and rich gospel sounding harmonies as the soul-searching bumps against mortality: “one day you’re just a little kid, next day you’re dyin’ / time is a thief, a thief in the night.” Electric guitar melodies and organ carry this one all the way through.

“Angel” sets a slinky groove as the question is posed: how can a devil become a better man for an angel? “Somewhere in between this life and a dream stands an angel runnin’ with the Devil.” “So Many Years” continues the trend of asking for redemption from a wonderful partner when “it’s hard to believe you still believe in me after all I put you through.” The keys groove and the electric guitar solos offer sincerity and it sets up another good toe-tappin’ groove with an Eric Clapton style.

“Hold on to Me” steps up the groove with a little more funk mixed in, and “if you hold onto me, I won’t be lonely no more.” Sounds just about right. The title track starts out with an engine revving – is it a car or a motorcycle? Either way you’re off with the band and Memphis bound with a double time paced instrumental and Melon Jelly shows they can turn the heat up and pull it back down at will.