The framework of his artistry comes from the south. More specifically it is derived from Southern Soul and Blues. Bramblett’s new release “The Bright Spots” is another example of his ability to create songs that are layered in their arrangements. His songs bring different elements and influences together, but these elements are more stratified than mixed. On “The Bright Spots” Bramblett takes the listener to familiar territory, but forges a few new trails along the ride.

The album starts with “Roll”, which uses distorted vocals to give it a rich texture.” John the Baptist” accomplishes the same thing using Loops. The album’s most Blues oriented song is “Whatever that is”, which he sings with rough and gravel like vocal style. The songs on the rest of the album tend to exhibit Southern Soul across a range of tempo. “Trying to Steal a minute” has the broadest appeal and is evocative of Robbie Robertson. It is also a prime example Bramblett’s ability to use a variety of styles that build on each other.

Over the course of his career, Bramblett’s original core of musician an peer group fans has broadened to a wider audience. “The Bright Spots” will certainly add to his fanbase.

The diverse yet understated sound and atmosphere of “American Kid” is largely due to the fact that Patty Griffin enlisted Luther and Cody Dickinson to provide the music. It was even recorded in the Dickinson’s hometown of Memphis. Luther’s guitar work and Cody’s percussion are the backbone of the album. Griffin apparently met them when North Mississippi All-Stars opened for Band of Joy. Griffin was also joined by Robert Plant on three songs. Their chemistry that began with Band of Joy carries over to these songs with a seamless harmony. “American Kid” was worth the wait. Let’s hope we don’t have to wait another six years for a collection of original masterpieces like these.

With respect to family, we see Jennings embracing his bloodlines in a manner that is uncommon for artists who are the progeny of legends. Typically the children of famous entertainers either distance themselves from their parents (often to the point of disdain), or crumble under the weight of their name. To the contrary, Shooter Jennings seems proud of his legacy, and uses his father’s dogged independence to give the finger to the current Country Music establishment. On ‘Outsider” he compares his outlaw spirit to his father’s, “I am the outsider. A horse with no rider”. The real stab at the current landscape of Country Music comes on “Outlaw You”, on which he taunts , “Hey pretty boy in your baseball hat. You couldn’t hit Country with a baseball bat”. He also references his father, who in the early 70’s “busted down the door” and busted the formula of the Nashville record executives. On the same song, he fast forwards to today as he bemoans that “All these years later the suits got back their grip”.

“The Other Life”, does not get bogged down in the politics of Country Music History. There is a balanced mix of Outlaw Country and Rock. He also is joined by other singers such as Patty Griffin (“Wild and Lonesome”) and Scott H. Biram (“The White Trash Song”). With his own vision of the future and a nod the past, we see Shooter Jennings standing above the crowd as he hits his stride.

Whatever your favorite flavors of Rock and Roll, the Stone Foxes deliver. This San Francisco Bay area Rock band opens a whole can of whoop ass on their new album “Small Fires.” The blend of Rock styles is delivered in a straight forward package that is reminiscent of days when music didn’t have to sound like it was created in an art school basement, like so much indie rock tries to do these days. To be sure, there is also lyrical depth on “Small Fires,” but the music is front and center. Producer Doug Boehm (who has worked with Dr. Dog among others) and the band together deliver a collection of songs that is evocative of 70’s Album Rock without losing its originality.

The album gets started with a very thought-provoking song that intertwines Edgar Allen Poe’s ”Tell-Tale Heart.” From there it moves into the classic Rock song “Ulysses Jones”. My personal favorite song is the Blues infused “Cotto”. The title cut represents an interesting diversion from their typical style. It has a post-punk alternative Vibe. It is a good sign the The Stone Foxes are exploring some new direction on “Small Fires.” Such exploration suggests future growth. On this release, The Stone Foxes display collection of songs that show they have staying power.

Audio Download: The Stone Foxes, “Everybody Knows”

The more restrained Country Blues songs give “Ride” a very personal feel. On these songs, Hancock is singing from the gut. However, he doesn’t get lost in his heartache. These tunes heal. They show a man moving through his pain, instead of wallowing in it. Through it all, Hancock has not lost site of his mission to be a preservationist of true Country music. To that end, he enlisted his usual cohorts in crime to join him in the recording studio. Most notably he continues his partnership with Lloyd Maines, who co-produced the project.

It is good to have Wayne Hancock back, and even better to see that he is still carrying the flag of “real” Country music.

Bill Mallonee’s 50th release (that is not a typo by the way) is one of his most impassioned. I realize that is a bold statement when the referenced artist has such a large body of work. The lyrics on “Amber Waves” are full of pain and loss. However, there is an underlying hope in these songs. Faith is certainly a theme that is the  undertone of the music that has defined his career. However, he never paints faith as an easy road. To the contrary, his writing usually characterizes faith and hope as an uneasy battle. “Amber Waves” is no exception.

My personal favorite is a song called “Faith (Comes Soaked in Gasoline”. It was influenced by Steinbeck’s “Grapes of Wrath”. His portrait is of the discrimination and degradation felt by the residents of depression era Hoovervilles. Not constrained by time, those analogies are just as relevant today. Loss is a central theme on “Amber Waves”. In the song “Long Since Gone” he says, “In a sea of progress history doubles back to shake hands with you. When you’ve got nothing to trade on…you’ve got nothing left to lose”.

Though not as heralded, Mallonee’s songwriting is on the level with Dylan or Springsteen. The lyrics on “Amber Waves” strike the soul.  The musical arrangements are for the most part Americana. Although he does employ a Mellotron, which is something you don’t hear very often. He does not lose sight of the fact that a listener wants a good melody as well as impactful lyrics. After all, it may be the lyrics that give a song meaning, but the tune is what keeps it in the mind. In short, good tunes accompany the message, and the combination of the two is what makes “Amber Waves” so special.

Visit him and get a sample on BandCamp

The intimate setting of a living room was a perfect background to see an accomplished songwriter such as Bill Mallonee. In spite of a sleepless night and a long car ride, Mallonee played a set that was both passionate and entertaining. Mallonee is a true artist who loves his craft no matter the setting or circumstances. In fact, he actually prefers to perform for an intimate audience. The evening encompassed the full scope of his songwriting styles. His set included songs that were transcendent, literary and at times delivered hard truth. A handful of songs were off of his excellent new release “Amber Waves”. (In my next post I will review the album.)

He started the evening out with “Solar System” a Vigilantes of Love song from the album “Audible Sigh”. There is a line in the Chorus, “When you short wave dies and there is no one to listen and the stars are going cold in your solar system”, that set a spiritual tone that characterized the evening. The highlight of the set was a song from “Amber Waves”. It is a story song influenced by Steinbeck’s “Grapes of Wrath”. The song is titled “Faith (Comes Soaked is Gasoline)”, and it paints a picture of the degradation the residents of the Hoovervilles experienced during the Great Depression. Overall Mallonee’s repertoire of songs included allegory, spirituality and blunt reality. It was dead-on mix of songs in the right setting.

Opening for Mallonee was Jason Slatton, a longtime collaborator with Randall Bramblett and former member of his band. Apparently he is new to performing solo. You could have fooled me. His songs were poetic and well crafted. Impelled by his love of literature, his compositions conjure up stories and metaphors equal to the authors that have influenced him.

Prior to Jason, Katie Deter performed. Her parents Mandy and David hosted the evening, I confess bias here. The Deters are closer than family to me. However, Katie is 14 years old and has already won a songwriting competition. Her song “I Wish I Were Irish” received a very positive reaction from the audience. Remember her name. The talent is already there, and she is growing as a performer and songwriter.

1. Chris Knight – Little Victories:  This may be a bit of a surprise, but this album really meant something to me. There is an honest and heartfelt message of perseverance and hope. His message of survival in hard times derives from his roots. Plus he calls Little Debbies groceries, and that puts “Little Victories” over the top.

2. The Lumineers – Self-Titled: The way they took the musical world by storm is really amazing. Hype usually turns me off. In this case I am glad to see that a group that can put together a body of excellent songs can get this much notice.

3. Mindy Smith – Self-Titled: A brilliant singer-songwriter released what is perhaps the best album of her career. Her lyrics are  moving and profound, but it is her rich vocals and passion give life to her words.

4: Sons of Bill – Sirens: The song “Santa Anna Winds” hooked me on my first listen. Every song after that kept me listening. A true Americana Rock masterpiece. The Sons of Bill  have an almost universal appeal.

5.Alabama Shakes – Boys and Girls: I could almost say “See The Lumineers above”. The Shakes also came out of nowhere to receive a lot of fan fare. They recorded in and hail from the Muscle Shoals area, and the geographic influence shines forth. Their music is both Southern and Soulful, with a balanced mix of tempo.

6. Buddy Miller and Jim Lauderdale – Buddy and Jim: These old friends should have recorded together a long time ago. Let’s hope there is more to come.

7. Mumford and Sons – Babel: They set the bar high on their previous released. On this release, they raised it. I can’t wait to see what they do next.

8. Tift Merrit – Travelling Alone: “Bramble Rose” and “Another Country” are two of my favorite female Singer-Songwriter albums. She may have beat them both this time around.

9. Shovels and Rope – O be Joyful: I was joyful from the first listen. Every song is excellent. They take traditional Americana and make it feel like Rock.

10. Corb Lund – Cabin Fever: Pure Country from rural Canada. The duet with Hays Carll, “Bible on the Dash”, and “Gothest Girl I Can” are also the two funniest songs of the year

The next Ten:

11. Steep Canyon Rangers – Nobody Knows You
12. Wrinkle Neck Mules – Apprentice to Ghosts
13. The Avett Brothers – The Carpenter
14. Jack White – Blunderbuss
15. Justin Townes Earle – Nothing’s gonna change the way
16. Bruce Springsteen – Wrecking Ball
17. Dr. Dog – Be the Void
18. Old Crow Medicine Show – Carry Me Back
19. Ryan Bingham – Tommorrowland
20. Whispering Pines – Self-Titled

Click here for more Twangville Best of 2012 coverage.

Their team attitude is showcased right out of the gate on their most rocking song “I lost My Job of Loving You”. They follow this song up with a traditional Country tune, “The Train that Carried My Gal From Town”. Every song on the album is strong, but here is one song that seems to stand out among the entire group. “Forever and a Day” showcases the duet in the fullest sense. It is also a song that I expect to be covered by more than a few artists. Along the way they get a little Cajun (“Down South in New Orleans”), play some Blues (“I want to Do Everything for You”) and conjure up images of Sun Records (“Lookin’ for a Heartache Like You”).

“Buddy and Jim” comes across as two friends having a good time. In the end we all end up having a good time. I hope this collaboration is the first and not the last.

The album starts off with the anthemic and atmospheric “Vasa”. They then follow it up with two Pop masterpieces, “Big MT and “Long for Shipwrecks”. The latter is a very catchy tune employing pedal steel and mandolin. Throughout these eight songs there is a balance of acoustic and electronic instrumentation. Their sound is both modern and classic at the same time. Just for fun they close with what is essentially a Country song, “Just Bring Me Peace”. This collection of songs should be enjoyed by a wide audience. I hope the Longwalls are discovered outside of their New England home base.

Audio Download: The Longwalls, “Big MT”