Below is a press release from Rouse’s press people…I’ve had 4 beers and didn’t feel like editing so here it is…straight from the horse’s mouth.  And yeah, I’m a big fan but I don’t currently have $99.99 to spare…even with that damn stimulus check.  May 9, 2008 (Nashville) - This month acclaimed singer songwriter Josh Rouse is [...] more »

Tue, May 13, 2008 | 1 Comment

Ok, I’ve been in more of a “rock” mood recently so for some of you twangvillers, these albums may have too much kick.  Well, maybe not…we’ll see.     Hints of BRMC, The Tender Idols and Primal Scream abound on Saturna’s new album Some Delicious Enemy.  Lush guitars, delay and feedback mixed with pulsing drums make the Portland, Oregon band a [...] more »

Tue, May 06, 2008 | 0 Comments

Coming this Christmas to a theatre near you…ok, not really…it will actually be here April 15th, that’s next Tuesday, and its not in theatres but available exclusively in CIMS locations, the Isbell online store and at live shows.  Oh yeah, and it’s not a movie anyway.  I’ve just always wanted to start a review with [...] more »

Fri, Apr 11, 2008 | 1 Comment

So…it’s March and I’ve heard a good many new releases so far this year along with a number of discs that I didn’t get around to from last year. The best so far? Hands down its Mission Control from Athens, Georgia’s The Whigs. I didn’t even have this band on my radar [...] more »

Tue, Mar 11, 2008 | 1 Comment

The Train Wrecks’ debut Whiskey & War is a tight collection of eight originals with three covers thrown in for good measure.  Jason Bible’s vocals are a rusty reminder of why we all love Uncle Tupelo, and you don’t have to get too far into the album to see that The Train Wrecks are fans [...] more »

Tue, Feb 19, 2008 | 1 Comment

Shout! Factory in association with NARAS recently released  a 7-CD series entitled “Ultimate Grammy Collection.”  This is in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Grammy Awards.  They were kind enough to pass along 2 CDs to twangville.  First we have the Classic Country featuring such hits as Johnny Cash’s “A Boy Named Sue” and Willie [...] more »

Tue, Jan 29, 2008 | 3 Comments

The first thing I thought when I popped cerro gordo into my CD player was, “Is this Guster?”  Well, actually no, it wasn’t, it was Rich McCulley.  But it sure as hell sounded like Guster.  McCulley’s vocals were eerily similar to that of Ryan Miller and the poppy upbeat opener “Forget It All Again” could [...] more »

Sun, Jan 06, 2008 | 0 Comments

Favorite Albums:   Neil Young/Live at Massey Hall – So, some folks call it a reissue, but it’s the first time I’ve heard it and I believe, the first time its been released.  Yeah, it was a concert that took place over 30 years ago but still new to my ears and it was one of [...] more »

Mon, Dec 31, 2007 | 3 Comments

The most highly anticipated local release of this year (in my book anyway…and by local I’m referring to Columbia, South Carolina) was the sophomore effort of Josh Roberts and the Hinges which hit the streets last month.  The band’s first release, 2006’s The Sugarbird Test, was a rollicking effort of 11 originals clocking in at [...] more »

Tue, Nov 06, 2007 | 2 Comments

After listening to the first half of Gary Allan’s new album, Living Hard, I decided I’d do some market research.  I had honestly never heard of Gary, but seeing that his record was on MCA Nashville I knew he was probably in good company.  And it turns out that I was right.  Other artists on the [...] more »

Sun, Oct 28, 2007 | 2 Comments

Listening to Drew Gibson’s new album, Letterbox, I thought, “This sounds nothing like Lyle Lovett’s new disc.”  Why in the hell I thought that I have no idea.  But I did.  Then I thought, “Gibson’s disc sounds just as much like Lovett’s new disc as I sound like Lucinda Williams.”  And folks, just for the [...] more »

Thu, Oct 25, 2007 | 0 Comments

I’ll be honest and admit that I’m not accustomed to receiving “Best Of” CDs from artists I’ve never heard of.  But hey, when someone’s been recording albums for around 15 years there’s got to be something good in the catalog right?  Thankfully, on this album, there are a number of gems.  According to the press [...] more »

Wed, Oct 03, 2007 | 0 Comments

So, House is a TV show that comes on Fox about a miracle working doctor with a cocky attitude, a sad love life and an addiction to pain pills.  At least that’s what it seemed like the 4 or 5 times I’ve watched the show.  ”So, who would make up such a soundtrack?” you ask.  [...] more »

Tue, Oct 02, 2007 | 0 Comments

Tommy Womack’s biography from his website starts out like the following:  “My name is Tommy Glynn Womack.  Skot Willis once said I was the craziest person he’d ever met who had his life together.  Todd Snider says I’m the only person he’s ever met in Nashville who’s crazier than he is.  So I must be [...] more »

Thu, Sep 20, 2007 | 3 Comments

My Johnny Cash collection consists of Live at San Quentin, the box set of Love, God & Murder, the 5 main discs done with Rick Rubin/American Recordings and a couple of old LPs with titles such as Here Comes Cash or The Best of Johnny Cash…you know the drill.  Anyway, while I’m a big fan [...] more »

Wed, Sep 12, 2007 | 0 Comments