May 9, 2008 (Nashville) - This month acclaimed singer songwriter Josh Rouse is set to release the third volume in his Bedroom Classics EP series. With Bedroom Classics, Vol. 3, Josh continues to build upon the successful series of EPs that has allowed him to take adventurous leaps with his sound over the years.

The first Bedroom Classics EP (2001) was limited to 750 copies fast becoming a collector’s item for his long time fans (currently going for well over $100 on Ebay). Bedroom Classics, Vol. 2 (2005) marked the launch of his own artist imprint and soon caught the ear of John Mayer, who praised it on his own personal blog, ultimately inviting Josh out to tour with him in the winter of 2007.

This new installment marks another groundbreaking chapter, as it is truly self released; only available directly from Josh himself, off his newly launched membership based digital download store at www.joshrouse.com

Fans who gain membership access will automatically receive Josh’s December 9th, 2007 concert at Shepherd’s Bush Empire, as well as the bonus tracks from his KCRW.com Presents: “Guitar and Strings” EP with their copy of Bedroom Classics EP 3.

Now through June 1st, there’s a premium membership package priced at $99.99, which includes a CD copy of the EP along with a 2 CD “Bootleg”, set and, once it’s completed, an early copy of Josh’s next full length release. These are limited to just 750 copies and once their gone, a “digital only” membership will be offered for $29.99.

Josh will be adding new content to the site on the first of every month. He already has well over 100 songs scheduled for inclusion in the first year!

For more information, visit the newly redesigned www.joshrouse.com
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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 great find for fans of Brit-Pop.  The band stays busy touring the left coast so check out their myspace page for upcoming shows and links to purchase the album. 

http://www.myspace.com/saturnahq

 The Black Crowes return to form with Warpaint.  Not since 1996’s Three Snakes and One Charm (probably my favorite Crowes record) have the Georgia boys sounded so good.  From the sing along choruses of tunes such as “Goodbye Daughters of the Revolution” and “Oh Josephine” to the more bluesy, gut-stomping “God’s Got It” and “Whoa Mule” the band sounds young, fresh and real.  (Does that make any sense?) “Walk Believer Walk” has teeth grinding guitars and a slow groove that will definitely be a live favorite.  

 http://www.myspace.com/theblackcrowes

Hoots and Hellmouth hail from Philli.  You wouldn’t know it though.  I mean, when you hear acoustic guitars, mandolin and such you probably think Nashville.  They released their self titled debut late last year and I would recommend this album if only for the two tracks “The Good I Know You Know” and “West of Where the Sun Goes Down” two mid-tempo charmers that rank up there with my most played for the past month.  The rest of the record ain’t bad though, so no need to buy just the two songs out of context.  Get the whole thing. 

http://www.myspace.com/hootshellmouth

The Meadows squeezed in pretty nicely on my I-Tunes playlist right between The Mayfiles USA and The Mendoza Line respectively.  They play sunshiney pop.  The kind that you would find circa 1995 on an Oasis B-Side.  The kind that makes you want to put the top down and drive west with no particular destination.  The kind for spring…or summer.  Its good stuff and you should definitely check out their new album entitled First Nervous Breakdown for gems such as “Knowing Don’t Change A Thing” and “Wheels On The Road.”

http://www.myspace.com/themeadows

Sometimes I just need something loud and crunchy.  Not like Frosted Flakes but something that could make the eardrums bleed.  Lately that something has come in the form of the Black Keys new release Attack & Release.  Its their most polished to date with great extra instrumentation (see the organ on the opener “All You Ever Wanted) throughout the record but still maintaining the grittiness of a two-piece band.  When “I Got Mine” kicks in, you may just tell the world to F*$# off.

http://www.myspace.com/theblackkeys

www.thetrainwrecksband.com  www.myspace.com/thetrainwrecks

First we have the Classic Country featuring such hits as Johnny Cash’s “A Boy Named Sue” and Willie Nelson’s “Always On My Mind.”  Its a pretty solid 16 tracks of names that line the Country Music Hall of Fame.

The second CD is Contemporary Country.  While I’m not too big on the Tim McGraw or Gretchen Wilson tunes, there is Dwight Yoakam’s “Ain’t That Lonely Yet” and George Jones’ “Choices.” 

The first 2 folks that shoot me an email at todd@twangville.comwill get one of these CDs…include your address so I can mail it to ya.

For full track listings go to www.shoutfactory.com 

What to say?  Well, the CD is full of laid back breezy tunes that seem to paint a nice picture of Southern California on a warm day in September.  If the OC were still on the air, I’m betting “Forever California” would have popped up in an episode somewhere.  Or any of the other tracks for that matter as most on the album are movie/television/adult contemporary radio friendly.  Standouts include a nice duet with Amy Farris called “I Never Really Loved You,” “Take Me Down” and “Hearts On Fire.”  The production is clean and simple, no fancy bells and whistles, just a bunch of folks playing their parts well and locking in nicely. 

From the looks of things, Rich has been around the block, or at least knows a few folks as one co-writer on the album is Duane Jarvis (Lucinda Williams, Dwight Yoakam) and guest musicians include members of Fountains of Wayne and The Posies (another two bands that are good reference points for this disc) as well as band members of Yoakam, Williams, Frank Black and others. 

If you like the pop, and you’re wishing for another Frosting on the Beater or Ganging Up On the Sun, check out cerro gordo.  You won’t be disappointed.

www.myspace.com/richmcculley

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 the best things I’ve heard this year.  How to describe it?  How about, Young unplugged playing some of the tunes that would define his career.  My Favorite Tracks:  A Man Needs A Maid, Cowgirl in the Sand 

Black Rebel Motorcycle Club/Baby 81 – Pure rock and roll adrenaline rush is the best way to describe this album.  Blazing guitars, thumping bass and drums along with excellent percussion.  Crank it to 11, baby.  My Favorite Tracks:  Weapon of Choice, Took Out a Loan 

Fever Marlene/Civil War – A surprise I received in the mail (and never got around to doing a proper review for) is this Milwaukee duo who crafted a mighty fine album chock full of hooks and sing along choruses with rough hewn vocals reminiscent of Liam Gallagher and great production to boot.  Here’s hoping we all hear more of them in 2008.  My Favorite Tracks:  All the Kites in the World, We Are All Colors and Shapes 

Band of Horses/Cease to Begin – Releasing what I thought was even a stronger album than their debut, I chilled out to this one for a good while after its release.  My Favorite Tracks:  The General Specific, Marry Song 

Avett Brothers/Emotionalism – What to say about the Avett Brothers?  They make good music and write good songs.  I hope you got this one from I-Tunes and received the “In The Curve” bonus track.  If not, find it somewhere.  My Favorite Tracks:  The Ballad of Love and Hate, Die Die Die 

Floratone/Floratone – Bill Frisell leads the pack with his, as usual, stellar guitar playing surrounding himself with musicians just as talented.  There’s a little bit of groove on a number of the tracks, but I prefer the darker ones on this release.  Put this one on in the car late at night and hit the road. My Favorite Tracks:  The Wanderer, The Passenger  

Jason Isbell/Sirens of the Ditch – If this album only contained The Magician, Chicago Promenade and Dress Blues it would have been worth the money for me.  Three great tunes but that’s not all this album holds.  Let’s hope Isbel was holding onto to a few other gems throughout his Truckers’ career for his follow up.  My Favorite Tracks:  The Magician, Chicago Promenade 

Josh Rouse/Country Mouse, City House – Smooth and sultry are words that come to mind when thinking of this album.  All of the small details and textures are splendid.  From the bouncy bass lines to the great horn arrangements Rouse did not disappoint.  Sure makes me want to move to Spain.  My Favorite Tracks:  Hollywood Bass Player, Italian Dry Ice 

Ryan Adams/Easy Tiger – I’d have to say this is one of Adam’s best albums since his days in Whiskeytown.  Although “Halloweenhead” still is one of the silliest lyrically I’ve heard in a while.  My Favorite Tracks:  Two, Goodnight Rose  

Tommy Womack/There I Said It -  As I stated in my review for twangville.com, this is one of the most personal records I’ve heard in a long time and I really dug it.  Check it out if you haven’t already.  My Favorite Tracks:  Nice Day, Alpha Male and the Canine Mystery Blood 

Local/Regional Releases:   

Cary Ann Hurst/Dust and Bones – From Charleston, SC Cary Ann Hurst gave us a damn fine recording in Dust and Bones.  Here it is 10 months later and I can still can’t get “1200 Miles” out of my head.   

Josh Roberts/My War Cry is Amor – Keep on rocking in Columbia, SC…for a good while in the future I hope.  Country-tinged rock and roll at its dirty best.   

The Liabilities/The Liabilities – Macon, Georgia’s finest in my opinion.  Mix 1/3 Ramones, 1/3 Steve Earle and 1/3 50’s rock, put on your white t-shirts’s and dancing shoes and hit the town.  Cigarettes and alcohol recommended.   

Live Performances: 

Neil Young/Orpheum Theatre/Boston, MA/December 2^nd  – Hand’s down the best show I saw all year.  Actually, probably one of the best shows I’ve ever seen!  After a short set from his wife, Neil came out and played around an hour acoustic set filled with hits.  Then, after a 20 minute intermission the full band treated the audience to a rocking two hour finish.  Not much to say but DAMN.   

Lucero/The Jinx/Savannah, GA/July 14^th – These guys are a good time.  Just don’t open up a tab and plan on driving home after one of their shows gets started.

Tommy Womack/Red Tub/Columbia, SC/??? – I can’t remember the date of this show, but I am sure it was this past year.  The crowd of around 50 who made it out saw Tommy cracking jokes and playing a number of tunes from his most recent release as well as his infamous Replacements Song and a few covers including Led Zep and the Velvet Underground.  Great set from a true road warrior.

Roberts has a knack for writing a catchy melody and the opening track, “The Jowled Hundred” will grab you and pull you in, in no time.  And if that one doesn’t, I guarantee you’ll be humming “B & 1 B” after a listen or two.  My favorite from the album is “If It Ain’t One Thing Its My Lover,” a slower track that brings to mind Neil Young circa Tonight’s the Night.  Roberts’ tenor and rough hewn band are often compared to Young and Crazy Horse and I think it’s often a fair comparison.  While Roberts still has a way to go in living up to that category, it’s a good reference point for the uninitiated.  “Hand of Man,” a clever take on world happenings, was also one that tended to make me hit repeat and track 2, “Atom Inhabiter,” which was recorded live at a show in Atlanta, (and the only live track on the album) also stands out.   

Roberts’ lyrics sometimes border on the absurd and inexplicable but will always make you do a double take.  While lyrics from “Buzzard” probably won’t win any great poetic competitions (”I put my corn in the pot/I boiled it and I ate it on the spot”) songs such as “Hand of Man” dig a bit deeper.  (”I just think something needs to be said/When the world keeps busy painting streets blood red”)  But this is another thing that Young often does, writing about the simple things in life, see Prairie Wind, then turning around and releasing Living With War. 

The album may appear a little long at 15 tracks and 73 minutes, but that can be a bit deceptive with the closer, “Be Careful Out There” clocking in at 11:11 and track 10 “Every Brick of Downtown” coming in near 9 minutes.  If you haven’t heard of Josh Roberts and the Hinges and are a regular reader of twangville.com, what are you waiting for?  Click on a link below.

www.joshrobertsmusic.com

www.myspace.com/joshrobertsandthehingesrock

P.S.

Musicianship is great

Features keyboards by Ryan Monroe (Member of Band of Horses   and longtime friend/collaborator of Roberts)

Produced by Alan Moon

The opening track and current single, “Watching Airplanes” is clever with a chorus that will be stuck in my head for days.  How clever?  Well, its almost a country version of Avril Lavigne’s “Complicated” with the lyrics, “I’m just sitting out here watching airplanes”  replacing Lavingne’s “Why’d you have to go and make things so complicated.”  A pretty nifty trick from writers Jim Beavers and Jonathan Singleton who will be laughing all the way to the bank with this one. 

Track two, “We Touched the Sun,” is my favorite from the record and will probably even make it to my I-Pod for a few weeks sandwiched in between Foo Fighters and Genesis alphabetically.  (Why Apple uses first names to alphabetize I do not know.)  It features a fuzzed out guitar throughout and is basically 3 choruses, a verse and an ending, bunking the normal Nashville formula.  I’d love to hear this one hit the radio and become a hit. 

The pedal steel on “She’s So California” played by Dan Dugmore (a Nashville studio musician who’s been playing on records since the 70s) is excellent, although the lyrics are a bit hokey.  If any of the songs do have a good message its “Like It’s A Bad Thing” with the lines, “I don’t know about you but I was put here to live and love/So what if I don’t do it like everybody else does,” that actually made a cynic like me stop and think.  But then there are lines such as, “Rolling like the Stones, start looking like Dylan” on the title track that tells the long hard road of a “rowdy musician” that make me cringe.  (Oasis’ “Rock N Roll Star” is a much, much better song about “rowdy musicians” by the way.) 

Saying all of the above, I can still see why people like this music.  It’s catchy, sounds good and is easy to sing along with.  (Duh, that’s why it’s pop music.)  Hell, even I can tolerate this over most metal or hip-hop.  But, I’ll stick with Chris Knight, Steve Earle and Ryan Adams for my “edgy” country music…whatever that is. 

www.garyallan.com