Top 10
- JASON ISBELL & THE 400 UNIT, Here We Rest [★★★★/4.455]
His third album since parting ways with the Drive-by Truckers and second with band The 400 Unit. The album title, Here We Rest, takes it’s name from the original Alabama state motto. Like his former band, Isbell continually pays homage to his home state and the Muscle Shoals sound. This record pours on the soul to a higher degree than we’ve seen thus far. Therefore, it’s not as rockin’ as the previous self-titled album but it’s strength is in its range. Isbell is now, more than ever, in control of his destiny to rule the alt-country airwaves. Standouts: Alabama Pines, Go It Alone, Codeine, Stopping By, Heart On A String - FLEET FOXES, Helplessness Blues [★★★★/4.417]
Helplessness Blues is the follow-up recording to their self-titled release in 2008 which lit up the charts and gained a gold rating by year’s end. The band lives up to high expectations with this one while adding a ton of new instrumentation including rarities like the tympani, marxophone, zither, and Tibetan singing bowls (what!?). Like My Morning Jacket, Fleet Foxes has a unique way of channeling folk rock of the mid 60s to early 70s. Easy parallels can be drawn to the Beach Boys, Van Morrison, and most notably Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young. Play it loud. Standouts: Bedouin Dress, Sim Sala Bim, Helplessness Blues, Someone You’d Admire, The Shrine / An Argument, Grown Ocean - MY MORNING JACKET, Circuital [★★★★/4.200]
If there’s anyone out there redefining classic rock it’s Jim James and My Morning Jacket. Circuital the band’s sixth LP takes me back to 70’s era Pink Floyd where sound was used to paint vivid pictures of voyages we could only have in our minds. MMJ conjures up the similar dreamscapes with Circuital. We’ve seen this in this decade from bands like Radiohead and the Flaming Lips but neither carry the authenticity to 70’s psychedelia that Kentucky’s MMJ does. Sometimes you don’t recognize brilliance until you seek to understand. That said, I haven’t found the same kind of thread you’ll find in Pink Floyd era concept albums that may have put Circuital over the top. Still, this album rocks. Standouts: Circuital, First Light, You Wanna Freak Out - TEDESCHI TRUCKS BAND, Revelator [★★★★/4.167]
I don’t know what took so long for Susan Tedeschi to formally join her husband’s band but the dream is finally here. With pipes like Bonnie Raitt and a backing band that rivals Derek Trucks former stint with the Allman Brothers the combination is glorious – just like you’d imagine. Both Tedeschi and Trucks boast songwriting credits with help from notables such as John Leventhal, Sonya Kitchell, Gary Louris, Oliver Wood, Doyle Bramhall II, and more. I only wish there were a few more tracks like “Love Has Something Else to Say” where Tedeschi’s wails are backed by wah-wahs and horns. Let’s hope this is the first of many. Standouts: Come See About Me, Bound For Glory, Love Has Something Else To Say - STEVE EARLE, I’ll Never Get Out Of This World Alive [★★★★/4.091]
On his 14th studio album, Earle enlists T Bone Burnett to produce his first collection of original material since Grammy award winning album (Best Folk/Americana Album) Washington Square Serenade. The result is a precisely crafted body of work that represents the Steve Earle we’ve come to know and love. He’s still singining about outlaws and finds ways to talk about current issues like oil wells in the Gulf (“The Gulf of Mexico”) in ways others aren’t. “God is God” previously written for Joan Baez which she originally recorded in 2008 is a particular highlight. Standouts: The Gulf Of Mexico, God is God - EILEN JEWELL, Queen Of The Minor Key [★★★★/4.071]
Boston-based Eilen Jewell has had my attention for some time now. If you take the painful songwriting of Lucinda Williams, the sugary vocal styling of Norah Jones, and the country-fried soul of Shelby Lynne and tossed it in a blender you’d get Eilen Jewell. A writers block allegedly prompted Boston-based Jewell to head to a quiet cabin in her native Idaho to write for Queen of the Minor Key. The result is pure magic. Supported by her amazing band comprised of Jason Beek (vocals, drums, purcussion), Jerry Miller (acoustic guitar, electric and pedal steel guitar) and Jonny Sciascia (upright bass) the album pulls in traditional country, 60s-inspired surf music, and folk noir. The result will knock your socks off. Standouts: Queen Of The Minor Key, That’s Where I’m Goin, Warning Signs, Hooked - ZOE MUTH & THE LOST HIGH ROLLERS, Starlight Hotel [★★★★/4.000]
This is the second release from Seattle-based, Zoe Muth. She’s the kind of artist who could play honky-tonk one minute and transition to a pop number seamlessly. Wisdom far beyond her years emanates from her solemn words and comforting vocals. She sits comfortably among other young artists like Caitlin Rose and Eileen Jewel. Credits don’t belong to her alone, her band The Lost High Rollers take Starlight Hotel to the next level especially the pedal steel played by Dave Harmonson. Standouts: Whatever’s Left, Come Inside - MATT WOODS, The Matt Woods Manifesto [★★★★/3.75]
Matt Woods is described as the kind of musician we love here at Twangville. He’s characterized as a hard-working and unrelenting but also a nice guy to be around who just loves playing music. The Knoxville-based artist marks a turn in his career from pop-rocker to hard twanger with The Matt Woods Manifesto. He and the band follow the righteous path of Steve Earle, The Drive-by Truckers and Scott Miller with his heartfelt lyrics and the band’s punishing rock. If this manifesto is a proclamation of things to come I hope he and the band stick to the plan. Great stuff! Standout: A Broken Heart - AMERICAN GUN, Therapy [★★★★/3.70]
The Columbia, SC based foursome’s fourth full-length underscores why they’ve opened for bands like Lucero, The Avett Brothers and Jason Isbell – they rock! Previous albums highlighted their twangy roots. This one features heavy layering of boisterous instrumentation and powerful lyrics. The title says it best, rock and roll is the best therapy. Standouts: Moving On Down The Line - THE RATIONALES, The Distance In Between [★★★/3.400]
About the author: Washington, D.C. area creative by day. Music is my muse. I host Twangville’s weekly Readers‘ Pick.