Album of the Day

Born in Austin, TX on this day in 1984, Gary Clark, Jr. came of age playing at the city's legendary blues club, Antone's. While the performer's 2012 Warner Bros. debut, BLAK AND BLU, is steeped in that music, it's also well versed in rock and soul. Clark's guitar work is outstanding throughout (you've gotta have some chops to take on Hendrix's “Third Stone from the Sun”), but his singing and songwriting are equally strong. “Ain't Messin 'Round” nabbed a Grammy nomination for Best Rock Song while “Please Come Home” won the award for Best Traditional R&B Performance; the collection as a whole made the Top 10 on Billboard's album chart. BLAK AND BLU announced the arrival of a major talent, and we'll give it another spin to wish Clark a happy birthday.