1. DAVE MATTHEWS BAND, Big Whiskey And The GrooGrux King [★★★★/4.230]
   
   I didn’t expect to like this album as much as I did. For me, DMB had mostly run their course. Everything begins to sound the same after a while. They were still putting out good music but the albums began to blend over time. Then Big Whiskey and the GrooGrux King quietly made an appearance. The pounding notes of “Shake Me Like a Monkey”, the humorous “Alligator Pie (Cockadile), and the unforgettable “You and Me” help make this album among the best the epic Dave Matthews Band has produced. Best of all the album plays tribute to gone but not forgotten saxophonist LeRoi Moore who perished in a tragic ATV accident in mostly subtle ways. If you’ve ever been a DMB fan, you’ll want to pick this one up.
2. THE SWELL SEASON, Strict Joy [★★★★/4.167]
3. DRIVIN’ ‘N CRYIN’, Great American Bubble Factory [★★★★/4.167]
4. ROMAN CANDLE, Oh Tall Tree In The Ear [★★★★/3.909]
5. TED GARBER, American Rail [★★★★/3.900]
6. SLAID CLEAVES, Everything You Love Will Be Taken Away [★★★★/3.818]
7. THE DUSTIN BENTALL OUTFIT, Six Shooter [★★★★/3.818]
8. ANIMAL KINGDOM, Signs & Wonders [★★★★/3.750]
9. MATT EPP, Safe or Free [★★★★/3.667]
10. ELK, Tamarack Mansion [★★★/3.400]

Down in the dirty, dirty south there’s a new band hitting the scene that’s about to change everything. Atlanta is probably one of the unlikeliest places you’ll hear this particular brand of freakadelia. The South has always had a sordid tale to tell and it’s been told many times over. This time around the storyteller looks and sounds a little different. Picture a smoky, underground party of punch-drunk circus freaks and you’ll see an 8-piece band they call The Constellations. Led by Elijah Jones, the band blends a little funk, soul, rock, and hip hop into their own psychedelic flavor of storytelling. Jones describes the band as a group of stars, hence the name “Constellations”.

As for tunes, “Setback” kicks the party off by giving you the feeling like you’re dressed to kill and walking right into the red light district. You know you’ve arrived when you hear the Waitsian “Step Right Up” a cowbell-enhanced tale that is the ultimate essence of the album. The smooth harmonies of Alaina Terry and Shab Bashiri lay the foundation for “Love Is A Murder” a song that proclaims “if you really want to live / you gotta be ready to die / every single love is a murder / you gotta commit to survive”.

This is not a typical Twangville dish, but a hearty one fresh from the garden of earthly delights. I don’t expect everyone to like this record, but those that do will LOVE it. It’s been a long time since I’ve heard an album this rich in sound with a narrative so painterly, like a Toulouse-Lautrec. The Moulin Rouge has found a new hometown in Atlanta and a new house band in The Constellations. Step right up!

[Tom Osborne - ★★★★/4.273]

The Constellations – “Setback”

THE CONSTELLATIONS | MySpace Music Videos

BONUS: Be the first to comment and win my review copy PLUS a vinyl LP featuring “Setback” and “Love Is A Murder”! (already awarded)

They’re last album finished in the top ten of 2007. Will the latest Grace Potter and the Nocturnals album make the cut in 2010? Here’s what the Twangville editors think of their new self-titled album:

Tom says:

The album begins with the melodic scream “Ah yeah!” a fitting way to begin their third release on Hollywood Records. Grace Potter and the Nocturnals have spent the last several years on the festival circuit blowing minds and speakers with their amplified signature sound. Let your mind imagine a cosmic creature the likes of a Tina Turner / Janice Joplin / Bonnie Raitt type and you have Grace Potter.

Familiar faces Scott Tournet (guitar) and Matt Burr (drums) continue to steer the identified flying band on their journey to the top of the charts with this self-titled album. Joining them this time are new editions Catherine Popper and Benny Yurco who help take the band to a new place. There’s less of the rootsy blues that accompanied the band on their early voyages replaced with a newer jet-fueled glam rock. There’s some getting used to the new sound for long time fans but probably a good thing for the band overall. You definitely get the feeling that the band is poised for super-stardom at this point.

At times the album feels like Potter is trying too hard to let listeners know that she can sing as witnessed in “Tiny Light” their first release from the album. That said, there’s no mistaking a solid effort overall bolstered by performances of Tournet and Burr in songs like “Paris (Ooh La La)”, “Oasis”, and “Medicine”. Grace Potter and the Nocturnals “got the medicine that everybody wants”. Somebody call the doctor I’ve got GP&N fever. [★★★★/4.308]

Shawn says:

The new Grace Potter and the Nocturnals release starts out strong with Paris (Ooh La La) that instantly made me think of the power chord and vocal combo that made Heart such a success back in the 70′s. There’s a hook you just can’t resist, even if you don’t like power pop. Similar things can be said for Tiny Light and That Phone. Things I Never Needed is a good strong ballad, and Hot Summer Night has a funky beat and hand clap percussion that’s very catchy.

Ultimately, though, this record falls short of Nothing But the Water. The grit that album had in cuts like Sweet Hands isn’t there, and there’s nothing as remotely funky as Toothbrush and My Table. Even lyrically the new eponymous record has nothing as emotionally engaging as Joey. In the book world, review columns are filled this time of year with “beach reads”; something engaging but not particularly memorable. This new Grace Potter release is a good beach listen. It’s very enjoyable, but doesn’t have the depth of her previous work.

Kelly says:

In the last couple of years, there has been an influx of albums that feature the pastoral, sepia-tinted, pot-scented jams that flow with a peaceful ease down the hills and paths of Laurel Canyon. That Cali-style free-love is great and all, but sometimes, you gotta just get on the strip and let loose, after the sun has dropped and freaks come out. Grip it and rip it. While Potter is from the Northeast, tracks like “Paris (Ooh La La)”, “Medicine” and “Only Love” are more reminiscent drug-fueled orgies where, after the fun is done, the participants end up scoring narcotics outside of the Roxy, rather than basking in a breezy, sun-baked field while harmonizing with your best friends. There’s a big difference between functioning as a jam-band and being a band that really jams. Grace Potter and her Nocturnals have turned in a record that proves they are the latter.

BONUS GIVEAWAY: I’m offering up my review copy of this album to the first to comment on this post. Who will be first?

A while back I pulled together a playlist I called “Life’s a Beach”. Little did I know it would quickly become a family favorite. When I was asked to do a follow up it was a no-brainer. This playlist is the result of that activity.

You probably have your own mix tape playing in your head every time you stand with your feed in the sand with eyes set on where the sky meets the ocean. For me, it’s the peaceful, easy feelin’ of Eagles-era rock and roll mixed with some newer sounds based on that time. And you better believe there’s some Willie Nelson in there somewhere. In this case, Nelson channels Arlo Guthrie with a mighty fine version of “City of New Orleans”.

Life’s a Beach, Vol. 2 Playlist

1. “Ventura Highway” by America
2. “Take It Easy” by Eagles
3. “Reelin’ In The Years” by Steely Dan
4. “Kodachrome” by Paul Simon
5. “Sugar Magnolia” by Grateful Dead
6. “Who’ll Stop The Rain” by Creedence Clearwater Revival
7. “Black Water” by The Doobie Brothers
8. “Back To The River” by Susan Tedeschi
9. “Shelter From The Storm” by Bob Dylan
10. “Cowgirl In The Sand” by Neil Young
11. “Seminole Wind” by James Taylor
12. “City of New Orleans” by Willie Nelson
13. “Carry Me” by Crosby & Nash
14. “Amie” by Pure Prairie League
15. “Melissa” by The Allman Brothers
16. “Come Monday” by Jimmy Buffett
17. “Helplessly Hoping” by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young
18. “Brand New Day” by Van Morrison
19. “Heavenly Day” by Patty Griffin
20. “Dimming Of The Day” by Bonnie Raitt

iMix Version

Willie Nelson performing “City of New Orleans” with Sheryl Crow

“Beach season” is approaching, what does your beach soundtrack consist of?

Congratulations, to New Jersey’s Roadside Graves the winners of this year’s Twangville Readers’ Pick of the year with 108 votes. Don’t forget to check out more favorites of the year from the Twangville crew. Most importantly, support the artists that bring us all this great music.

1. ROADSIDE GRAVES, My Son’s Home (Autumn Tone) [108 votes]
2. SONS OF BILL, One Town Away (Thirty Tigers) [94 votes]
3. ROGER JOHNSON, Stag Contillion Vol 1 & 2 (Autietunes) [42 votes]
4. GINA VILLALOBOS, Days On Their Side (Face West) [40 votes]
5. LUCERO, 1372 Overton Park (Republic) [31 votes]
6. IKE REILLY, Hard Luck Stories (Rock Ridge) [24 votes]
7. JUSTIN TOWNES EARLE, Midnight at the Movies (Bloodshot) [17 votes]
8. THE AVETT BROTHERS, I and Love and You (Columbia) [16 votes]
9. RYAN BINGHAM, Roadhouse Sun (Lost Highway) [11 votes]
10. FELICE BROTHERS, Yonder Is The Clock (Team Love) [8 votes]
11. WILCO, Wilco (the Album) (Nonesuch) [8 votes]

Come on back throughout 2010 to help us narrow the list for next year’s Readers’ Picks.

I took a different approach to compiling the list this year by rating the albums as I listened to them. If there was any trend at all it was that my tastes moved decidedly toward pop. You’ll find Pete Yorn, The Damnwells, Brendan Benson, Ben Harper and Bob Schneider all within 10 of #1. That said, only 2 of my Top 10 reappeared in the Posse Top 10 which I take is a great sign that Twangville has really come a long way. Looks like I’ll have to spend some more money early in the year just to catch up on the recommendations seen from the rest of the Twangville crew. How many of my picks appeared among your favorites in 2009?

Tom’s Best of 2009

1. LUCERO, 1372 Overton Park (Republic) Rock / Indie / Southern Rock [★★★★★/4.833]
   
2. STEPHEN KELLOGG & THE SIXERS, The Bear (Vanguard) Rock / Alternative / Indie [★★★★★/4.818]
3. PETE YORN, Back & Forth (Columbia) Rock / Alternative [★★★★★/4.800] Read Todd’s review
4. THE DAMNWELLS, One Last Century Rock / Indie [★★★★★/4.750] Read Mayer’s review
5. DINOSAUR JR., Farm (Jagjaguwar) Rock / Alternative [★★★★★/4.750]
6. WILL HOGE, The Wreckage (Rykodisc) Rock / Americana [★★★★★/4.727]
7. BRENDAN BENSON, My Old, Familiar Friend (Jagjaguwar) Rock / Alternative [★★★★★/4.636] Read Mayer’s review
8. JASON ISBELL AND THE 400 UNIT, Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit (Lightning Rod) Rock [★★★★★/4.545] Read Jeff’s review
9. BEN HARPER AND THE RELENTLESS 7, White Lies for Dark Times (Virgin) Rock [★★★★★/4.545]
10. BOB SCHNEIDER, Lovely Creatures (Kirtland) Americana / Folk Rock / Folk [★★★★★/4.538]
11. DRIVE-BY TRUCKERS, Fine Print (New West) Rock / Indie / Southern Rock [★★★★★/4.5] Read Todd’s review
12. MINDY SMITH, Stupid Love (Vanguard) Pop / Rock / Americana [★★★★/4.417] Read Chip’s review
13. TWO TONS OF STEEL, Not That Lucky (Smith Entertainment) Americana / Country / Roots [★★★★/4.400]
14. SONS OF BILL, One Town Away (Thirty Tigers) Rock / Country [★★★★/4.334]
15. WRINKLE NECK MULES, Let the Lead Fly (Lower 40) Rock / Indie / Country [★★★★/4.308]
16. BEN KWELLER, Changing Horses (ATO) Country / Classic Rock / Punk [★★★★/4.300] Read Jeff’s review
17. MATTHEW RYAN, Dear Lover (The Dear Future Collective) Rock / Folk / Ambient [★★★★/4.300]
18. PETE YORN & SCARLETT JOHANSSON, Break Up (Rhino / Wea) Alternative / Indie [★★★★/4.200]
19. FROG HOLLER, Believe It Or Not (ZoBird) Rock / Indie / Bluegrass [★★★★/4.200]
20. PHISH, Joy (Jemp) Rock / Alternative / Jam [★★★★/4.200]
21. CONOR OBERST AND THE MYSTIC VALLEY BAND, Outer South (Merge) Rock / Roots / Alternative [★★★★/4.188]
22. BRANDI CARLILE, Give Up the Ghost (Sony) Folk / Pop [★★★★/4.182]
23. THE BLIND BOYS OF ALABAMA, Duets (Time Life) Gospel / Soul / Blues [★★★★/4.154]
24. SARAH BORGES, The Stars are Out (Sugar Hill) Rock / Country / Rockabilly [★★★★/4.100] Read Kelly’s review
25. MICHELLE MALONE, Debris (SBS) Rock / Blues / Roots Music [★★★★/4.091]

1. Lucero – 1372 Overton Park [111]
   
2. Justin Townes Earle – Midnight At the Movies [106]
3. Jason Isbell & the 400 Unit – s/t [89]
4. The Avett Brothers – I and Love and You [76]
5. Slaid Cleaves – Everything You Love Will Be Taken Away [71]
6. Buddy & Judy Miller – Written in Chalk [65]
7. The Band of Heathens – One Foot In the Ether [63]
8. Dave Rawlings Machine – A Friend of a Friend [59]
9. Ryan Bingham & the Dead Horses – Roadhouse Sun [57]
10. Todd Snider – The Excitement Plan [55]
11. Roman Candle – Oh Tall Tree in the Ear [52]
12. Monsters of Folk – s/t [47]
13. Brendan Benson – My Old, Familiar Friend [45]
14. Drive-by Truckers – Fine Print [44]
15. Roseanne Cash – The List [44]
16. The Damnwells – One Last Century [43]
17. Heartless Bastards – The Mountain [41]
18. Patterson Hood – Murdering Oscar (and other Love Songs) [40]
19. Wilco – The Album [38]
20. Will Hoge – The Wreckage [36]
21. Dave Alvin & the Guilty Women – s/t [36]
22. Leeroy Stagger – Everything Is Real [36]
23. M. Ward – Hold Time [35]
24. Wrinkle Neck Mules – Let the Lead Fly [35]
25. Ben Kweller – Changing Horses [34]

In addition, Twangville was one of 30 top twang blogs to participate in a project dubbed The Bird List. The result was a combined list of Top 20 picks of the year through all the influential lists. Justin Townes Earle fans will be happy to see that he leaped Lucero to take the crown there. Check it out.

It’s that time once again to reflect on another eventful year in the history of Twangville. As it turns out, we’ve been at it for close to five years now. Each year has brought new joy along with new challenges. Seeing as Twangville is an all-volunteer effort it’s never easy to find the time to keep content fresh. Each of our authors do this in addition to busy work schedules with several of us also balancing family life. If it weren’t for the amazing passion of the dedicated Twangville Posse this site would have ceased to exist long ago. In particular, the diligent work of Mayer Danzig has been the blood of life for our tiny town. I always look forward to my Sunday night emails where Mayer starts to organize our lineup for the week. As for joy, each year has brought a few fresh faces to roost. This year we welcome Eli Peterson, Jeff McMahon, and Shawn Underwood officially to the Twangville Posse joining our other authors most notably Todd Mathis, Chip Frazier, and Kelly Dearmore.

Also, I can’t help but look back to March when Mayer descended on Austin for his annual pilgrimage joined by our other SXSW correspondent John Anderson. The trip wasn’t in the cards for me this year but the thrill and enjoyment was still there through the reviews and stories those guys brought back with them. The similarities of the music showcased at the Texas festival and what you see here are for good reason. Austin is to Alt-country what Nashville is to Country which is why we are all drooling over the thought of dropping in on the town at any time throughout the year. Mayer and John could write dissertations on the ins-and-outs of the festival and it’s through them that I continue to discover great music.

Which leads me to a recent highlight. It was only a few weeks ago that I was invited to the home of the aforementioned Mr. Anderson and his lovely wife Amanda. The happy couple played host to touring musician Matthew Ryan who John had described to me as “a young Bruce Springsteen who grew up listening to the Replacements”. Now, I already possessed the majority of the catalog and liked his introspective songwriting but I wasn’t nearly as much of a fan as John and Mayer whom both designated his 2008 release “Matthew Ryan vs. The Silver State” as album of the year. All I can say is my friends never lie about pure talent. And pure talent can be measured in the living room of a twentieth century home with unintended acoustics and virtually zero amplification. Ryan happily plowed through about a double-disc worth of songs from his catalog with his throaty delivery and heartbreaking tales. The live acoustic guitar and harmonica kit combo really satisfied. Needless to say consider me now a huge fan. I highly recommend making a point of seeing Matthew Ryan live in any setting. Also, do yourself a favor and pick up his ’09 release titled Dear Lover. You can read more about the house party on the Metro Music Scene blog.

In other news, we started using a service called ReviewShine this year created by Larry Karnowski (Hickory Wind) and Sam Ubach. They describe it as a platform to connect promoters and bloggers. We’ve really enjoyed using it so far. It’s been a great way to reduce the costs of sending music to us along with minimizing the amount of disc that tend to pile up for music reviewers like us. Applause to those guys for creating something both economical and good for the environment. In addition to it being a great way for us to discover new music it has also been a catalyst for us in terms of creating a community among our small group of bloggers that we didn’t quite have before. I highly recommend it for any music promoters or bands looking to get their music heard by reviewers like us.

Last, I can’t go without thanking the many musicians out there who sacrifice themselves for the good of art and so that we may each have joy in our lives. I didn’t see to many live shows this year but I did fortunately get out to see Reckless Kelly, Sons of Bill, Lucero, and now Matthew Ryan. I honestly don’t know what I would do if I didn’t have music in my life. For people like me, musicians are the psychiatrists of life — the lyrics the prescriptions, the music the euphoria. Keep on truckin’ y’all.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Photo of Matthew Ryan by Ben Maphis of Ben Maphis Photography used with permission.

Earlier this month devoted Twangville readers read Chip’s review of the new Wrinkle Neck Mules album, ‘Let the Lead Fly’. Rather than double the love with a review I’ll just say that it’s another consistently great album from one of Richmond’s finest. Instead, I’m offering up a custom designed desktop wallpaper for download by yours truly inspired by “Catfish and Color TV” one of my favorite tracks on the new record.

But wait, that’s not all! Twangville is also giving away 4 unordinary copies of ‘Let the Lead Fly’. Following the theme of the album, these puppies are filled with lead shot (no joke!). To be eligible, simply leave a nice comment below for the band or at the very least let me know if you want to see more custom desktop wallpapers from Twangville and I’ll pick 4 random winners after the contest closes next Tuesday, November 24, 2009 at midnight EST.

Download the “Catfish & Color TV” desktop wallpaper:

• 1280×800
• 1280×1024
• 1440 x 900
• 1600 x 1024
• 1680 x 1050
• 1920 x 1200

“Catfish & Color TV” Lyrics:

Catfish and color TV’s, kindly company
Saltwater dreams and nicotine keep me living right
Shadows are growing longer now and they’re
bringing on the night
Keeps my brain from thinking about the things
that passed me by

It’s 75 degrees out on the water
And its 3’ to 5’ with a steady southern breeze
But I sure could use a storm or two to help these
wounds to heal
Get back on the right side of the reel
Scraping off the paraffin, climbing up my stringer
That 5’10” taught me when to chase them or
to run
Crickets sing the chorus of the way things used to be
Back when the reds were biting and you were still
right here with me
Coming with the leaving, bringing on the feeling
That the current and the winds may be too strong
Every time you go something deep inside me knows
it won’t be long

Giveaway courtesy of the Wrinkle Neck Mules and Lower 40 Records. Desktop wallpaper courtesy of Tom Osborne and Twangville. Twangville will request addresses of the winners for fulfillment and that is all.

Twangville readers picked ’1372 Overton Park’ by Lucero as their favorite release for week of October 7, 2009.

There’s one thing that makes ’1372 Overton Park’, the latest from Memphis-based Lucero, a little more special than their previous 5 studio albums. Horns… horns are what take this their major label debut to new heights. Not to say that there’s any such thing as a weak Lucero record. It’s just that this one is that much better. So much so that it’s sure to turn some heads over on E Street.

The album draws it’s name from an old Memphis loft where the four members of the band lived, practiced, and recorded earlier this decade. Eventually, the building at 1372 Overton Park would be sold and demolished allowing some great memories of the building and a love of Memphis to spawn a rebirth through this recording. While the band is at the absolutely top of their game, it’s the addition of Jim Spake’s horn arrangements that seal the deal.

To get a taste of what I’m talking about listen to “What Are You Willing To Lose” the album’s second track. Ben Nichols raspy voice is the whiskey, the horns the ice, and Roy Berry’s drums are the cold glass that keep it all together.

So what if all my heroes are the losing kind? / We ended up with nothin’, but we put up a fight / And most of it was choices we never asked to choose / The rest of it was luck and now we’ve run out of that too

This is the album I’ve been waiting for all year. Son Volt couldn’t do it. Wilco put up a good effort. Leave it to the Memphis rockers to bring it home. It’s going to take something special to knock ’1372 Overton Park’ off the top of my favorites for the year. Well done, Lucero. [★★★★★/4.8 -- Tom Osborne]

RIYL: Two Cow Garage, Drive-by Truckers, Slobberbone, Glossary, Uncle Tupelo