I have to admit bias on this one. When a band can have lyrics like, “Second thoughts have occurred. I feel like a gigantic turd. Walking barefoot like a hooker at 3 in the morning,” I can’t give it a bad review. The truth is these boys from Georgia have unleashed a great album. The band is unsigned and primarily a local phenomenon. I have a feeling that is all about to change. In spite of the lyrics above (from the song “Swamp County”) this is no novelty act. Hayshaker is for real. 

They mix a sound that is at times Country, but with a twist. They know how to use power chord licks with abandon. Lead singer CC Rider has a voice that sounds as if it should be singing Indie Rock instead of Roots Rock. Female vocalist Laurie Rider rounds out the bands sound, which is hard to categorize. The best way to describe Hayshaker is “Kick-Ass” Country. The steel guitar haunts the music of the album, which is also a part of their uniqueness. Lyrically the band is at times humorous, but they are more often deep and impactful. They have a talent of mixing sarcasm with truth. It is time to jump on the bandwagon while it still has room. I have a feeling there will be a second deck on the bandwagon before too long.

MySpace

I must admit that I am sick of tribute albums. There is no one left it seems that hasn’t had a tribute album done in their name. In fact, I am waiting for a tribute album to tribute albums. Better yet, I would love to see a tribute album to a band that hasn’t even formed yet. Conceptually, every possible interpretation to pay tribute to an artists’s work has been done.

Now that the above sermon is over it is time to be a hypocrite. Conceptually, Twistable Turnable Man is nothing original. However, it was done by Bobby Bare Jr. who knew and loved Silverstein well. More so, the friendship between his father and Silverstein goes back to the early 60′s. It is this generational perspective of Silverstein’s songwriting that makes this album work. Both old and new artists contribute to the album. Further, if anyone is deserving of homage it is Shel Silverstein. He was a songwriter, cartoonist and poet for Playboyand paradoxically a noted writer of Children’s books.

Who better than icons like Ray Price, Kris Kristofferson and John Prine could be included on this album. In fact, Price has recorded Silverstein’s songs a couple of times in his career. No one collaborated with him like Bobby Bare, and his version of the “The Living Legend” may be the best song of the entire project.

Now we move from the legendary to the more current younger artists. Bobby Bare Jr. made some good choices for this group. after all a Country record is not a Country record without My Morning Jacket (WTF)! Actually, they have a heavy roots music influence and their opener “Lullabies, Legends and Lies” competes with Bobby Bare for the best song on the album. However, songs by Andrew Bird, Dr. Dog, Sarah Jarosz and Black Francis provide interpretations that make the songs take on a new life. In between the new and the old are contributions by Lucinda Williams and Nanci Griffith. The campy song “Boy Named Sue” originally recorded by Johnny Cash, could only have been recorded by one contemporary artist. Bare Jr. knew this and chose Todd Snider. Snider does a version of the song that would make the Man in Black himself proud.

For more on Silverstein see the source of all knowledge: Wikipedia

The sounds of this album hearken back to her days in the Continental Drifters. Fans who have missed the Continental Drifters like I have will definitely want to add this to their collection. 

Audio Download: Susan Cowsill, “Sweet Bitter End”

Do you like guests? Is Bruce Springsteen big enough for you? The “Boss” contributes vocals on ”Faith” one of the more edgy songs on the album. His primary songwriting partner is Friend and cohort Chuck Prophet, who co-wrote about half of the songs on Street Songs of Love. As you would expect the arrangements are crisp. In short, the loyal cult like fans of Alejandro will love this one.

Check out a live cut:

My life changed in 1984 when I first heard Lost and Found. They dominated the college bar scene of the 80s. They began to grow in popularity and even played with Dylan. However, label troubles, sickness and rehab (the big three for all rock bands) eventually put them on hiatus. However, with the success of the alt-country sound, which they basically created, they came back with an excellent album A Blazing Grace in 1993.

Fast forward to 2010, two years after receiving a lifetime achievement award from the AMA, they release Halcyon Days. It is their first new release in almost 15 years. Guess what folks? They’ve still got it. It is a more mature sound but still has everything you would expect of the Scorchers. So go out and get yourself a history lesson. It appears they intend to finish what they started.

Here’s a video from 1984 followed by an

Audio Download: Jason & the Scorchers, “Better Than This”

Patty Griffin has just released her new album Downtown Church. The album was brilliantly produced by Buddy Miller and has an excellent supporting cast. On this album Griffin captures the soul of the traditional African-American Church, as well as the beauty of more traditional hymns. The mix of songs on this album capture a spirit of forgiveness that is truly the central message of Christianity. These songs don’t have anything to do with the exclusive legalism of the mainstream American Church. Instead there is a soothing redemption given.

I don’t care what your affiliation, songs like “little Fire,” which features Emmylou Harris, will warm you deep in your soul (even if you don’t believe in one). She reinterprets classic Gospel songs and hymns like “Tear This Building Down” and “All Creatures of Our God and King.” Buddy and Julie Miller both join her on this project. On “Never Grow Old” Buddy’s voice adds an authentic roughness to complement the softness of Griffin’s voice. Downtown Church offers no condemnation, just beauty, soul and hope.

The album begins with the broken love of “Just the Same.” On this song Collins declares “A rose by any other name is just a flower in the rain. She was born to hold your dreams back by strain.” On the title cut we get a glimpse of what he feels gets in the way of Love’s happiness, “you always said that choice was a device in a disguise. Place you bets and leave because the heartache’s in the details.” It seems we can reinvent what is good about a relationship into something entirely different. Then there is “The Island,” which uses seemingly incongruent metaphors to bring it all together in a hopeful way.

All of these conceptual twists and turns have an underlying edgy beat that moves them along. The groove is consistent among the songs, but it is not monotonous. There is an undertone to the music that makes it one of those albums you can play over and over again. Give it a try. I bet you’ll listen more than once.

The way Randall pours out the soul of his protagonists is a manner exhibited by more seasoned songwriters. Randall will no doubt go from a popular regional Northern California artist to a true touring songwriter. He has recently opened for Junior Brown, Cross Canadian Ragweed, Hayes Carll and The Steve Miller Band. The diversity of this album should firmly establish him in the Americana landscape. There is no sophomore slump. In fact, it appears there are even better things to come.

As I said, much of the characters are unchanged. Like the Honky Tonk anthem “Shade Tree Mechanic” (which could easily be about a particular uncle of mine), “Rich folks spend their time countin’ money and the poor spend their time gettin’ drunk. Whose to say what is worse what’s a blessing what’s a curse but old Billy is just shit out of luck.” A dark character on the album is the “Suicide Trucker.” One touching romantic ballad shows the beauty of the one relationship you can count on in “Good ‘ol Dog.” “Hot Rod Daddy” combines guitar work that could be mistaken for Dick Dale with a Rockabilly back beat.

Straight from Colorado to your ears “The Beautiful Loser Society” is a social club I want to join. The initiation fee is only a 12 pack and the will to drink it. Long Slow Decline is a more Country affair than its predecessor. So put the sawdust on the floor. I’m ready to go.

MySpace