For those unaware, Idiot At The Wheel is the 25th official album from Long Island’s MOTU®. He refers to it as his “Silver Anniversary” release. Once again, Dr Richard Michelson (MOTU) jumps across the genres of blues, rock, Americana and jazz fusion to deliver a seamless production touching on a variety of political and societal issues, while performing a range of instruments including keyboards, harmonica, acoustic & electric guitars, bass, pedal steel guitar, and dobro.

However, this time he is also joined by newcomers Susan Karejwa (bass), and Phil Reinstein (accordion) along with regulars Dee Michelson (vocals), Ed Modzel (drums) and Rich Fry (vocals and guitar).

This group of talented musicians give this new album a different feel from MOTU’s past albums, but it is still definitely a MOTU album with all of the guitar shredding and harmonies that his fans have learned to expect from him.

These 10 new MOTU original songs continue to demonstrate Dr Rich’s evolution in songwriting and his masterful skills as a performer, band leader and engineer.

1. Just Another Day In America
2. The Fading Melody of a Song
3. Deuces
4. Idiot at the Wheel
5. Excuses are Thin
6. Pushing Darkness to the West
7. Keep Your Good Man
8. What the Hell is Going On
9. Original Sin (garage band version)
10. Last Man Standing

This mature American roots, blues, rock, soul and Americana album kicks off with the rocking Just Another Day In America and the harmonically pleasing The Fading Melody of a Song and they are followed by the immersive jazz-fusion instrumental Deuces, the early Stones-esque sounds of the title track Idiot at the Wheel, with the tuneful Excuses are Thin coming thereafter.

Along next is the gently acoustic, melodically beautiful Pushing Darkness to the West and the rooted blues of both Keep Your Good Man and my own personal favorite here on this new album, What the Hell is Going On, the new set rounding out on the alt-rocker Original Sin (garage band version), coming to an all-too-soon close on another jazz-fusion instrumental in the form of Last Man Standing.

Official Purchase Link