Article Contributed by Gratefulweb
Published on 2026-03-15
Photo: Courtesy of MOTU Records
Long Island blues rocker MOTU returns in 2026 with a milestone release, Idiot At The Wheel, the 25th official album from the prolific songwriter and multi-instrumentalist also known as Dr. Richard Michelson. Michelson refers to the new record as his “Silver Anniversary” release, marking a remarkable catalog that continues to span the worlds of blues, rock, Americana, and jazz fusion.
Across the album, Michelson once again jumps effortlessly between genres while delivering a seamless production that touches on a range of political and societal issues. Known for his expansive musicianship, Michelson performs keyboards, harmonica, acoustic and electric guitars, bass, pedal steel guitar, and dobro throughout the record, shaping the distinctive sound that longtime listeners have come to recognize as unmistakably MOTU.
For Idiot At The Wheel, Michelson is joined by a lineup that blends new collaborators with familiar voices from past releases. Newcomers Susan Karejwa (bass) and Phil Reinstein (accordion) bring fresh textures to the music, while longtime contributors Dee Michelson (vocals), Ed Modzel (drums), and Rich Fry (vocals and guitar) return to the fold. The combination of players gives the album a different feel from previous MOTU recordings, yet it remains grounded in the guitar-driven energy and vocal harmonies that fans have come to expect.
Released worldwide on March 10, 2026, Idiot At The Wheel runs approximately 44 minutes and is available through MOTU Records on physical CD, digital download, and all major streaming platforms including Apple Music, Amazon Music, Spotify, Tidal, Deezer, Pandora, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube.
Idiot At The Wheel – Tracklist
Just Another Day in America – 3:07
The Fading Melody of a Song – 2:43
Deuces – 4:58
Idiot at the Wheel – 3:18
Excuses are Thin – 3:30
Pushing Darkness to the West – 5:45
Keep Your Good Man – 6:45
What the Hell is Going On – 2:55
Original Sin (Garage Band Version) – 4:45
Last Man Standing – 6:16
For more information about MOTU and the new album, visit:
motu.net,
Facebook,
or the official MOTU YouTube channel.
