by Tom Osborne in Alt-Country, Alternative, Folk, News, Videos

CALEXICO, Carried To Dust (Touch & Go)
Official Site | MySpace | Samples (Amazon)

One of the best blends of Mexican and Texas/Arizona soundscapes you’ll hear, Calexico is back. This is classic convertible Ford Mustang driving through the desert music. Picture giant cacti zooming by at 70mph with your radio knob turned all the way clockwise. A hefty 15 songs. Start with “Two Silver Trees”. File under: Alternative / Folk / Alt-Country

Noteworthy

• DAMIEN JURADO, Caught In The Trees (Secretly Canadian)
  Official Site | MySpace | Samples (Amazon)
  Jurado continues with dark, broody folk rock and this time dabbles in some uptempo pop. Give “Trials” a taste.
• DAR WILLIAMS, Promised Land (Razor & Tie)
  Official Site | MySpace | Samples (Amazon)
  Suzanne Vega and Marshall Crenshaw lend a hand on her first studio album in three years. Try “Go To The Woods”.
• OKKERVIL RIVER, The Stand Ins (Jagjaguwar)
  Official Site | MySpace | Samples (Amazon)
  Follow up album to 2007′s critically acclaimed ‘The Stage Names’. Check out “Pop Lie”.
• STEVE WYNN, Crossing Dragon Bridge (Rock Ridge)
  Official Site | MySpace | Samples (Amazon)
  Another solo effort from former Dream Syndicate member. Wynn was also involved in The Baseball Project from earlier this year. Check out “Wait Until You Get to Know Me

More Highlights

ANGELA DESVEAUX & THE MIGHTY SHIP, BITTERSWEETS, CHAD VAN GAALEN, GRAYSON CAPPS & THE STUMPKNOCKERS, HAL KETCHUM, HORSE FEATHERS, I’M NOT JIM, JACKOPIERCE, JOAN BAEZ, JOAN OSBORNE, JOSH ROUSE, KIMYA DAWSON, LIZ DURRETT, LL COOL J, MICHAEL FRANTI & SPEARHEAD, NATALIE COLE, PATTY GRIFFIN, PATTY LOVELESS, PORTASTATIC and more. See our Release Calendar for more new releases like these.

Bonus Material

Noteworthy articles from Twangville and our friendly neighbors:

• Moonlighters Extraordinaire: Results Are In [Mayer]
• Return Of The King [Hickory Wind]
• A Tale of Two Texas Records: Owen Temple & Susan Gibson [Kelly]
• Lucinda Williams New Album and Mood Change [Amber Waves of Twang]
• Catie Curtis – Sweet Life [Chip]
• Bronx River Parkway, A Different Perspective [Alex]

Grab Bag

• FREE GIVEAWAY! I’m giving away a free mystery (Indie / Americana / Rock) disc this week to one lucky winner as a way of saying thanks for being a part of Twangville. Simply comment on this post to be eligible. The winner will be contacted the following week. NOTE: You must have a US mailing address to win.

About the author:  Washington, D.C. area web designer by day. Certifiable music freak by night. Husband and father of two by the loving grace of God.