Twangville » Tom Osborne

Editors’ Picks: Best Album of 2011: Jason Isbell’s “Here We Rest”

Tom Osborne — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 12:00:02 +0000

Last year, our Twangville authors combined forces to dub Justin Townes Earle‘s Harlem River Blues as Best Album of 2010. This year official Twangille Best Album of 2011 honors go to Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit‘s Here We Rest. Let me tell you this is no small feat as we’re a picky bunch. Our Top 90 Albums of 2011 are listed below and represent individual picks from the Twangville Posse: Tom, Mayer, Todd, Chip, Kelly, Eli, Shawn, and Jeff. Congratulations to all who made the list.

1. JASON ISBELL & THE 400 UNIT, Here We Rest (150)
2. THE DECEMBERISTS, The King is Dead (126)
3. GILLIAN WELCH, The Harrow & The Harvest (113)
4. WILCO, The Whole Love (106)
5. MY MORNING JACKET, Circuital (88)
6. BUTCH WALKER & THE BLACK WIDOWS, The Space (78)
7. KASEY ANDERSON, Heart of a Dog (70)
8. GLOSSARY, Long Live All Of Us (67)
9. HAYES CARLL, KMAG YOYO (62)
10. IRON & WINE, Kiss Each Other Clean (61)
11. FRANK TURNER, England Keep My Bones (58)
12. LUCINDA WILLIAMS, Blessed (48)
13. DRIVE-BY TRUCKERS, Go-Go Boots (46)
14. MILK DRIVE, Road From Home (41)
15. RYAN ADAMS, Ashes & Fire (40)
16 .THE JAYHAWKS, Mockingbird Time (39)
17. BARNSTAR!, C’Mon! (37)
17. FLEET FOXES, Helplessness Blues (37)
19. SOCIAL DISTORTION, Hard Times and Nursery Rhymes (33)
19. THE DAMNWELLS, No One Listens To The Band Anymore (33)
19. THE LOW ANTHEM, Smart Flesh (33)
22. AMERICAN GUN, Therapy (29)
23. ADELE, 21 (27)
24. DAVE ALVIN – Eleven Eleven (26)
25. R.E.M. – Collapse Into Now (25)
26. LYDIA LOVELESS, Indestructible Machine (24)
26. OLD CALIFORNIO – Sundrunk Angels (24)
28. MAXIM LUDWIG & THE SANTA FE SEVEN, This Round Is On Me (23)
28. MOUNT MORIAH, Mount Moriah (23)
28. SUZANNA CHOFFEL, Steady Eye Shaky Bow (23)
31. MIDDLE BROTHER, Middle Brother (22)
31. STEVE EARLE, I’ll Never Get Out Of This World Alive (22)
31. WILL HOGE, Number Seven (22)
34. ALISON & UNION STATION, Paper Airplane (21)
34. DAVID WAX MUSEUM, Everything Is Saved (21)
34. SONS OF FATHERS, Sons Of Fathers (21)
37. JEN BUXTON, Don’t Change Your Plans (20)
37. THE DUKE AND THE KING, The Duke and the King (20)
37. THE FELICE BROTHERS, Celebration, Florida (20)
40. AMOS LEE, Mission Bell (19)
40. BRETT DENNEN, Loverboy (19)
40. FLORENCE + THE MACHINE, Ceremonials (19)
40. THE BOTTLE ROCKETS, Not So Loud: An Acoustic Evening (19)
40. THE HEAD & THE HEART, The Head & The Heart (19)
45. FOLK FAMILY REVIVAL, Unfolding (18)
45. NATHAN HAMILTON, Beauty, Wit and Speed (18)
45. THE BARR BROTHERS, The Barr Brothers (18)
45. ZOE MUTH & THE LOST HIGH ROLLERS, Starlite Hotel (18)
49. BEN SOLLEE, Inclusions (17)
50. DEER TICK, Divine Providence (16)
50. OLD 97S, The Grand Theatre, Vol. 2 (16)
50. SARAH JAROSZ, Follow Me Down (16)
53. JAMES MADDOCK, Wake Up And Dream (15)
53. JO WYMER, Living With Scars (15)
53. JOHN HIATT, Dirty Jeans and Mudslide Hymns (15)
53. RECKLESS KELLY, Good Luck & True Love (15)
53. THE BAND OF HEATHENS, Top Hat Crown & the Clapmaster’s Son (15)
53. THE BLACK LILLIES, 100 Miles of Wreckage (15)
59. CARRIE RODRIGUEZ AND BEN KYLE, We Still Love Our Country (14)
59. MARC BROUSSARD, Marc Broussard (14)
59. ROBERT EARL KEEN, Ready For Confetti (14)
59. ROBERT ELLIS, Photographs (14)
63. BUFFALO TOM, Skins (13)
63. SINFUL SAVAGE TIGERS, The Last Night Of the Revels (13)
65. BLIND PILOT, We are the Tide (12)
65. DAWES, Nothing Is Wrong (12)
65. GREAT AMERICAN TAXI, Paradise Lost (12)
65. PORTUGAL. THE MAN, In the Mountain In the Cloud (12)
69. TEDDY THOMPSON, Bella (11)
69. YUCK, Yuck (11)
71. BEIRUT, The Rip Tide (10)
71. MA, MEYER, THILE, DUNCAN, The Goat Rodeo Sessions (10)
73. MATTHEW RYAN, I Recall Standing As Though Nothing Could Fall (9)
74. CAGE THE ELEPHANT, Thank You Happy Birthday (8)
74. CARY ANN HEARST, Lions and Lambs (8)
74. THE GOURDS, Old Mad Joy (8)
77. OKKERVIL RIVER, I am very Far (7)
77. TEDESCHI TRUCKS BAND, Revelator (7)
79. THE GREENCARDS, The Brick Album (6)
79. THE WAILIN’ JENNYS, Bright Morning Stars (6)
80. RICHARD BUCKNER, Our Blood (5)
80. TELEKINESIS, 12 Desperate Straight Lines (5)
80. THE BITERS, All Chewed Up (5)
80. THE NEW FAMILIARS, Between the Moon and Morning Light (5)
84. MIKE ERRICO, All In (4)
84. TOMMY KEENE, Behind the Parade (4)
86. MARK W. LENNON, Home of the Wheel (3)
87. ABIGAIL WASHBURN, City of Refuge (2)
87. MATT THE ELECTRICIAN, Accidental Thief (2)
87. MICHAEL DONNER AND THE SOUTHERN RENAISSANCE, No Better Time (2)
90. CAITLIN ROSE, Own Side Now (1)

Readers’ Pick: Best Album of 2011: Jason Isbell’s “Here We Rest”

Tom Osborne — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 12:00:23 +0000

With 65 of 300 total votes Twangville readers picked Jason Isbell and The 400 Unit‘s “Here We Rest” as their favorite album of 2011. Rounding out the top five were albums from Matthew Ryan, The Decemberists, Ryan Adams, and Gillian Welch. Congratulations to all the nominees which were based on our monthly Readers’ Pick poll.

#1. JASON ISBELL AND THE 400 UNIT, Here We Rest (65)
#2. MATTHEW RYAN, I Recall Standing as Though Nothing Could Fall (32)
#3. THE DECEMBERISTS, The King Is Dead (29)
#4. RYAN ADAMS, Ashes & Fire (26)
#5. GILLIAN WELCH, The Harrow & The Harvest (21)
#6. TOM WAITS, Bad As Me (19)
#7. WILCO, The Whole Love (15)
#7. DRIVE-BY TRUCKERS, Go-Go Boots (15)
#9. DAVE ALVIN, Eleven Eleven (13)
#9. HAYES CARLL, KMAG YOYO (& other American stories) (13)
#11. LUCINDA WILLIAMS, Blessed (10)
#11. JOHN HIATT, Dirty Jeans & Mudslide Hymns (10)
#11. STEVE EARLE, I’ll Never Get Out of This World Alive (10)
#14. JAYHAWKS, Mockingbird Time (9)
#15. MY MORNING JACKET, Circuital (4)
#16. THE WAILIN’ JENNYS, Bright Morning Stars (3)
#16. R.E.M., Collapse Into Now (3)
#18. THE BOTTLE ROCKETS, Not So Loud: An Acoustic Evening (2)
#19. NEIL YOUNG INTERNATIONAL HARVESTERS, A Treasure (1)
#20. BODEANS, Indigo Dreams (0)
#20. THE DECEMBERISTS, Long Live the King (EP) (0)

Stay tuned for our annual Editors’ Picks for Best Albums of 2011, an aggregated list.

Tom’s Picks: Best of 2011

Tom Osborne — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 12:00:59 +0000

The Decemberists hit hard in January with The King Is Dead and maintained their number one status with me for the entire year. Butch Walker‘s The Spade was the best I’ve heard yet from the Master of Hooks. Let’s hope his work with The Black Widows will continue. In at #21 was Telekinesis the highest ranking band I’d never heard of before 2011. My entire list includes 65 albums that I listened to and ranked this year as well as some EPs, live albums and what not. Thanks for paying attention to what we have to say at Twangville and may your 2012 be filled with inspiring tunes and amazing concerts.

Best of 2011

THE DECEMBERISTS, The King Is Dead [★★★★★/4.700]

Album number 6 for the Portland, OR based group. A slight departure from previous concept albums featuring cameos by Peter Buck and Gillian Welch. Post-Appalachian influences reign in this pop-infused, folk-rock barnstormer. This is my favorite so far by The Decemberists. Standouts: Calamity Song, Rox in the Box, January Hymn, Down By The Water, June Hymn, This Is Why We Fight, Dear Avery
BUTCH WALKER & THE BLACK WIDOWS, The Spade [★★★★★/4.700]

Standouts: Bodegas And Blood, Every Single Body Else, Summer of ’89, Synthesizers, Dublin Crow, Bullet Belt, Suckerpunch
THE DAMNWELLS, No One Listens To The Band Anymore [★★★★★/4.583]

Last time around The Damnwells gave away One Last Century for free. This time, the fans gave back by fully funding No One Listens To The Band Anymore. While the band makeup has changed over the years, anchors Alex Dezen and Ted Hudson keep things going strong. Densely layered guitars and thoughtful lyrics continue to define the distinctly Damnwell sound. It’s hard to believe these guys aren’t a household name. Standouts: No One Listens To The Band Anymore, She Goes Around, Werewolves, Let’s Be Civilized, Death Defier, Last Day Of The New Age, The Experts
WILL HOGE, Number Seven [★★★★/4.545]

Will Hoge’s seventh studio album, aptly titled “Number Seven”, is countrier sounding than I remember him to be. He’s still the big rocker I’ve come to love but he’s noticeably dialed up the twang on this on. I seem to recall a tour with Jason Isbell a few years back. One can only guess those two big time talents fed of each other. “Number Seven” certainly seems like it takes influence from Isbell and the 400 Unit in a grand way. With themes of mortality and a title that references the number seven you can tell Hoge is counting his blessings following a near-fatal motorcycle accident in 2008. His previous release “The Wreckage” was nearly complete before the accident which means “Number Seven” may not be reflective of the timeliness of that event but it certainly is in terms of an appreciation of life and a song called “Too Old To Die Young”. There’s a number of standouts here but it’s “Goddam California” that takes the podium for me with its angst driven vocals and underlying steel pedal. Keep ‘em coming, Mr. Hoge, the road before you is paved in gold. Standouts: Too Old To Die Young, Goddam California, The Illegal Line, Nothing To Lose, No Man’s Land, When I Get My Wings
JASON ISBELL & THE 400 UNIT, Here We Rest [★★★★/4.455]

His third album since parting ways with the Drive-by Truckers and second with band The 400 Unit. The album title, Here We Rest, takes it’s name from the original Alabama state motto. Like his former band, Isbell continually pays homage to his home state and the Muscle Shoals sound. This record pours on the soul to a higher degree than we’ve seen thus far. Therefore, it’s not as rockin’ as the previous self-titled album but it’s strength is in its range. Isbell is now, more than ever, in control of his destiny to rule the alt-country airwaves. Standouts: Alabama Pines, Go It Alone, Codeine, Stopping By, Heart On A String
SOCIAL DISTORTION, Hard Times and Nursery Rhymes [★★★★/4.455]

Seven years since their last album, Hard Times and Nursery Rhymes marks the band’s seventh studio album and first for Epitaph Records. The Hank Williams cover “Alone and Forsaken” anchors the rest with a more countrified sound than we’ve heard so far from the punk rooted, SoCal band. This album has it all. Rock, blues, soul – it’s rock and roll the way it’s supposed to be. Standouts: Gimme The Sweet And Lowdown, Machine Gun Blues, Far Side of Nowhere, Alone and Forsaken, Still Alive
BRETT DENNEN, Loverboy [★★★★/4.429]

With his 4th studio album Brett Dennen is exuding confidence. He’s set aside more serious subject matters to create a toe-tappin, feel-good album that celebrates life to the fullest. Musically you’ll hear touches of reggae and funk with catchy pop hooks that stick in your head in a good way. This is his most fun album to date and I’ll my favorite thus far. Standouts: Surprise, Surprise, Dancing At A Funeral, Comeback Kid (That’s My Dog), Sydney (I’ll Come Running), Make You Fall In Love With Me, Only Rain, Little Cosmic Girl
GLOSSARY, Long Live All Of Us [★★★★/4.417]

Standouts: Trouble Won’t Last Always, A Shoulder To Cry On, The Flood, When We Were Wicked, Heart Full Of Wanna, Keep It Coming, Cheap Wooden Cross
FLEET FOXES, Helplessness Blues [★★★★/4.417]

Helplessness Blues is the follow-up recording to their self-titled release in 2008 which lit up the charts and gained a gold rating by year’s end. The band lives up to high expectations with this one while adding a ton of new instrumentation including rarities like the tympani, marxophone, zither, and Tibetan singing bowls (what!?). Like My Morning Jacket, Fleet Foxes has a unique way of channeling folk rock of the mid 60s to early 70s. Easy parallels can be drawn to the Beach Boys, Van Morrison, and most notably Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young. Play it loud. Standouts: Bedouin Dress, Sim Sala Bim, Helplessness Blues, Someone You’d Admire, The Shrine / An Argument, Grown Ocean
WILCO, The Whole Love [★★★★/4.417]

Standouts: I Might, Dawned On Me, Born Alone, Capitol City, Standing O, Whole Love
JAMES MADDOCK, Wake Up And Dream [★★★★/4.333]
This is Maddock’s one-two punch. After taking a near decade long hiatus after a successful rise as the front-man to the band Wood, James Maddock has released two amazing albums in less than two years. If all that time was spent pulling together Sunrise on Avenue C and Wake Up And Dream then it was worth the wait. His latest, Wake Up And Dream is full of colorful love stories like “Beautiful Now” which proclaims “you were beautiful then, but you’re way more beautiful now”. One of America’s great singer/songwriters is back and hopefully there’s no stopping him now. Standouts: Beautiful Now, Stella’s Driving, Mr. Universe, Positive
MARC BROUSSARD, Marc Broussard [★★★★/4.400]
The fifth studio album from Louisiana’s Marc Broussard shows an artist who has perfected his vocals but still trying to find his voice. At it’s best it’s weak-in-the-knee, soulful R&B with powerful hooks. The kind of sound that would turn the head of John Legend. At it’s worst it’s over-produced, sugary music that’s a little hard to pin down. It’s missing is some of authenticity we heard in Carencro. Still, I can’t help but love everything Broussard creates so while not his best, it’s pure listening joy. Standouts: Lucky, Only Everything, Our Big Mistake, Bleeding Heart
OLD 97S, The Grand Theatre, Vol. 2 [★★★★/4.308]
This is side two of last year’s full length originally conceived of as a double album. The band says that releasing with time in between afforded them time to adjust the songs and add a few more. Good call. Most reviews I’ve read have pinned Vol. 2 as slightly lesser than Vol. 1. I’ll be the first to say I think this is the better album. Put the two together and you’ve got a great set. “Bright Spark” is worth the album cost alone with its pounding drums, warbling guitar, and raucous vocals. It’s a good thing they’re still going strong after 20 years with their unique power-pop meets folk-punk approach to rock and roll. Standouts: Perfume, No Simple Machine, Bright Spark (See What I Mean), You Call It Rain
RYAN ADAMS, Ashes & Fire [★★★★/4.273]
Standouts: Ashes & Fire, Do I Wait, Chains Of Love
TEDDY THOMPSON, Bella [★★★★/4.273]
Thompson recorded his fifth album in New York City. His vocal styling is reminiscent of Roy Orbison or more recently Raul Malo. Lyrically he’s been better but the pristine string arrangements and rich country-pop melodies make for a tremendous album. Standouts: Looking For A Girl, I Feel, The Next One, The One I Can’t Have
LUCINDA WILLIAMS, Blessed [★★★★/4.250]
Guest appearances by Matthew Sweet (vocals) and Elvis Costello (guitar) with help from Grammy Award-winning producer Don Was. Album includes Grammy nominated Kiss Like Your Kiss (Best Song written for motion picture, television or other visual media) from the True Blood: Music From The HBO Original Series – Volume 2 album. Rockers like Buttercup an Seeing Black are amongst the best we’ve heard from her in ass-kicking mode. Absolutely marvelous. Standouts: Buttercup, Copenhagen, Seeing Black
MY MORNING JACKET, Circuital [★★★★/4.200]
If there’s anyone out there redefining classic rock it’s Jim James and My Morning Jacket. Circuital the band’s sixth LP takes me back to 70′s era Pink Floyd where sound was used to paint vivid pictures of voyages we could only have in our minds. MMJ conjures up the similar dreamscapes with Circuital. We’ve seen this in this decade from bands like Radiohead and the Flaming Lips but neither carry the authenticity to 70′s psychedelia that Kentucky’s MMJ does. Sometimes you don’t recognize brilliance until you seek to understand. That said, I haven’t found the same kind of thread you’ll find in Pink Floyd era concept albums that may have put Circuital over the top. Still, this album rocks. Standouts: Circuital, First Light, You May Wanna Freak Out
KASEY ANDERSON, Heart of a Dog [★★★★/4.182]
The fifth album for the Seattle-based artist and first with new band, The Honkies. Pounding rock and roll abounds with the new players. An amazing follow up to “Nowhere Nights”. There’s so much to love with the energy and attitude of this record. Standouts: Mercy, Exit Ghost, Sirens and Thunder, My Baby’s A Wrecking Ball, Save It For Later
TEDESCHI TRUCKS BAND, Revelator [★★★★/4.167]
I don’t know what took so long for Susan Tedeschi to formally join her husband’s band but the dream is finally here. With pipes like Bonnie Raitt and a backing band that rivals Derek Trucks former stint with the Allman Brothers the combination is glorious – just like you’d imagine. Both Tedeschi and Trucks boast songwriting credits with help from notables such as John Leventhal, Sonya Kitchell, Gary Louris, Oliver Wood, Doyle Bramhall II, and more. I only wish there were a few more tracks like “Love Has Something Else to Say” where Tedeschi’s wails are backed by wah-wahs and horns. Let’s hope this is the first of many. Standouts: Come See About Me, Bound For Glory, Love Has Something Else To Say
AMOS LEE, Mission Bell [★★★★/4.167]
The fourth album on EMI’s Blue Note Records for the Philly-based, Amos Lee. This album reminds me of Ray Lamontagne’s “God Willin’…” release last year in that a little more depth goes a long, long way. The Calexico-backing and guest additions like Lucinda Williams and Willie Nelson send the soulful Lee into orbit. Standouts: Cup of Sorrow, Flower, Windows Are Rolled Down
TELEKINESIS, 12 Desperate Straight Lines [★★★★/4.167]
Drummer Michael Benjamin Lerner heads up the Seattle-based band. Big bass, meaty drums, and pop sensibilities reminiscent of the late 80s (think Cure or Janes Addition). Sure to be among the best indie-pop selections of the year. Standouts: You Turn Clear In The Sun, Fever Chill, Gotta Get It Right Now
GILLIAN WELCH, The Harrow & The Harvest [★★★★/4.100]
There’s no doubt careful thought was put into the title of the first album in 8 years from Gillian Welch and long-time compadre, David Rawlings. The two allegedly produced two or three albums worth of songs since 2003′s Soul Journey but weren’t happy with what they’re results. Thus when they finally settled on The Harrow & The Harvest, a bounty of 10 new songs emerged for us to feast on. I’d say it was worth the wait.With The Harrow & The Harvest, Welch and Rawlings stay true to form. Images of dust bowl era struggles still emerge with each track. There’s nothing uplifting about these songs. If anything the pain of each track serves to let the music be the elixir to conquer the sadness and distress painted in each song. Standouts: The Way It Goes, Tennessee
STEVE EARLE, I’ll Never Get Out Of This World Alive [★★★★/4.091]
On his 14th studio album, Earle enlists T Bone Burnett to produce his first collection of original material since Grammy award winning album (Best Folk/Americana Album) Washington Square Serenade. The result is a precisely crafted body of work that represents the Steve Earle we’ve come to know and love. He’s still singining about outlaws and finds ways to talk about current issues like oil wells in the Gulf (“The Gulf of Mexico”) in ways others aren’t. “God is God” previously written for Joan Baez which she originally recorded in 2008 is a particular highlight. Standouts: The Gulf Of Mexico, God is God
MATT THE ELECTRICIAN, Accidental Thief [★★★★/4.083]
I first saw former electrician, Matt Sever, at the Saxon Pub in Austin opening for Bob Schneider. It didn’t take long for his music to be on constant rotation at the house. He’s got to be one of the best songwriters around and it’s hard not to like his light-hearted acoustic approach to making music. Long known as a humble family man, his artist wife and two kids pitched in make a video to raise money on Kickstarter to fund the newest album, Accidental Thief. At last look they tripled their goal of $8k and made a second video for album track “All I Know”. Consistent with anything he’s ever done, the result is a crowd pleaser for sure. Standouts: All I Know, Ghost Story
FRANK TURNER, England Keep My Bones [★★★★/4.083]
England Keep My Bones, the 4th solo album from Frank Turner, is about “mortality” and “Englishness” according to the artist – hence the Shakespeare inspired album title. At it’s best it is the kind of energetic, fist-pumping album you’d want to play after watching your favorite football team score the winner. Channeling Colin Meloy (Decemberists), “Rivers” offers a softer, acoustic contrast to much of the shouting heard through most of the album. Standouts: I Am Disappeared, Redemption
EILEN JEWELL, Queen Of The Minor Key [★★★★/4.071]
Boston-based Eilen Jewell has had my attention for some time now. If you take the painful songwriting of Lucinda Williams, the sugary vocal styling of Norah Jones, and the country-fried soul of Shelby Lynne and tossed it in a blender you’d get Eilen Jewell. A writers block allegedly prompted Boston-based Jewell to head to a quiet cabin in her native Idaho to write for Queen of the Minor Key. The result is pure magic. Supported by her amazing band comprised of Jason Beek (vocals, drums, purcussion), Jerry Miller (acoustic guitar, electric and pedal steel guitar) and Jonny Sciascia (upright bass) the album pulls in traditional country, 60s-inspired surf music, and folk noir. The result will knock your socks off. Standouts: Queen Of The Minor Key, That’s Where I’m Goin, Warning Signs, Hooked
DRIVE-BY TRUCKERS, Go-Go Boots [★★★★/4.071]
There’s lots to love about the Drive-by Truckers eleventh album, Go-Go Boots. The murder ballads paint dark but vivid pictures of deceit and wrong-doing that no other band but the DBTs could compose in such a perfectly poetic southern drawl. A return to the Muscle Shoals soulful sound they adopted in recordings with Bettye LaVette and Booker T. Jones adds an layer of brilliance to this recording that I hope sticks around for a while. Standouts: Everybody Needs Love, Used To Be A Cop, Mercy Buckets
LIAM FINN, FOMO [★★★★/4.000]
When I caught Liam Finn at SXSW the same year as his brilliant debut “I’ll Be Lightning” I saw a future music icon in the flesh. He was playing the drum kit the same way Jack White plays guitar all while maintaining a pop melody with his vocals. Think Elliott Smith behind the microphone. He waited three years before releasing “FOMO” his sophomore release but it was well worth the wait. If “I’ll Be Lightning” was set to prove himself, “FOMO” aka “fear of missing out” proves he’s having fun. Standouts: Don’t Even Know Your Name, Reckless, Chase The Seasons
MATTHEW RYAN, I Recall Standing As Though Nothing Could Fall [★★★★/4.000]
This is the 13th album from Matthew Ryan whose songwriting keeps getting better and better with each release. Number thirteen is filled with politically and socially charged reflections upon current events and casual discussions with friends as described by the artist. From what I can tell, this is Ryan’s Ghost of Tom Joad (Springsteen) in that it’s filled with hazy and gray narratives that just needed to be told in these colorful times. The drum machine gets to me in parts but the must-be Edge-inspired (U2) guitar riffs heard on Hey Kid and All Hail The Kings Of Trash make up for it. “All Of That Means Nothing Now” which thematically could have fit on the previous album, Dear Lover, with it’s talk of heartbreak is one of the best tracks of the year. Standouts: Hey Kid, All Of That Means Nothing Now, Here Comes The Snow
R.E.M., Collapse Into Now [★★★★/4.000]
Their 15th studio album with a career spanning three decades as a band. “Collapse Into Now” is less like “Accelerate” and more like “Out of Time” in that there are quirky songs like “Alligator_Aviator_Autopilot_Antimatter”, “That Someone Is You”, “Me, Marlon Brando, Marlon Brando And I”. Finer moments include a collaboration with Eddie Vedder on “It Happened Today” and the weightless voyage of “ÜBerlin”. A solid release but not quite the rocker that “Accelerate” was to this reviewers dismay. Standouts: All The Best, ÜBerlin, It Happened Today
THE STROKES, Angles [★★★★/4.000]
With their fourth full-length and first in four years, The Strokes are back and they’ve taken some chances. Sprinkled through out are late seventies guitar riffs and beats from the eighties. This is the closest I’ve heard a band get to The Cars in years. Standouts: Under Cover of Darkness, Two Kinds of Happiness, Taken For A Fool
MOUNT MORIAH, Mount Moriah [★★★★/4.000]
Out of North Carolina we find Jenks Miller and Heather McEntire together as Mount Moriah. There’s everything to love about this band. McEntire sings from the gut, heart, and brain (the triad) with tinny guitars, crisp percussion, and melancholy organ setting the foundation for an amazing americana / folk sound. They almost have a Manchester quality about them but with a glorious twang. Keep them on the radar. Standouts: Social Wedding Rings, Lament
ZOE MUTH & THE LOST HIGH ROLLERS, Starlight Hotel [★★★★/4.000]
This is the second release from Seattle-based, Zoe Muth. She’s the kind of artist who could play honky-tonk one minute and transition to a pop number seamlessly. Wisdom far beyond her years emanates from her solemn words and comforting vocals. She sits comfortably among other young artists like Caitlin Rose and Eileen Jewel. Credits don’t belong to her alone, her band The Lost High Rollers take Starlight Hotel to the next level especially the pedal steel played by Dave Harmonson. Standouts: Whatever’s Left, Come Inside
THE WAILIN’ JENNYS, Bright Morning Stars [★★★★/3.923]
Jazz vocalist Heather Masse joins Ruth Moody and Nicky Meht as the third Jenny in their first studio album in 5 years. Each contributed 4 songs each for a total of 12 original songs plus the album’s namesake “Bright Morning Stars” a traditional folk song. Masse, Moody, and Meht offer a unique authenticity to the record since all three sing, write, and play instruments. Sweeter and sweeter with each listen. Standout: Bright Morning Stars
THE ONLY SONS, American Stranger [★★★★/3.917]
Third full-length album from the Murfreesboro-based group with Joey Kneiser of Glossary on board to help produce the record. Screaming guitar chords and precisely restrained vocals by Kent Goolsby prevail in this powerful southern rock record. Standouts: Put Up a Fight, Gone Down Swinging
HOTEL LIGHTS, Girl Graffiti [★★★★/3.909]
Hotel Lights is new to me but apparently they’ve been around since 2003 and have had songs featured on Grey’s Anatomy and One Tree Hill. The band was formed by former Ben Folds Five drummer and songwriter Darren Jessee and borrows Jay Brown (bass) and Zeke Hutchins (drums) from Tift Merritt’s band. Jessee gets songwriting credits for BFF’s hit “Brick” and similarly applies that experience on Girl Graffiti with “My Asshole Friends”. That may be were comparisons end. Girl Graffiti is far more ethereal and sublime than we’ve heard from his time with BFF. I’m drawn to pop tracks “Falling Down” and “My Pretty Quirk” which have a Elliott Smith meets Nada Surf vibe to them. A great addition to the Fall lineup. Standouts: Falling Down
RECKLESS KELLY, Good Luck & True Love [★★★★/3.900]
This is the ninth album from the Texas-based Reckless Kelly and first release with new material since 2008′s Bulletproof. More recently the produced a tribute to songwriter Pinto Bennett titled Somewhere In Time (2008). Fifteen years after forming the band they are ditching their label and trying it on their own. It’s not quite the rocker that we heard with Bulletproof nor as country as Somewhere in Time. Where Good Luck & True Love lacks edge it makes up for with thoughtful songwriting, solid musicianship, and twang the way it should be played. Reckless Kelly remains one of the best rock & country bands around.
THE V-ROYS, Sooner Or Later [★★★★/3.889]
Standouts: Mary, Fade Away
PJ HARVEY, Let England Shake [★★★★/3.833]
Recorded in a church on a cliff-top overlooking the sea this record takes a look at England, its people, and its history of conflict. I guess you could call it a move from personal introspection to that of her home country. It ended a bit flat for me but a nice surprise overall since I hadn’t really sat down and listened to PJ Harvey in nearly 20 years. Standout: Bitter Branches
JOHN HIATT, Dirty Jeans And Mudslide Hymns [★★★★/3.818]
Two things ring true about John Hiatt’s 20th solo album, Dirty Jeans And Mudslide Hymns… 1) he makes a less than perfect world lovable and 2) he’s still a badass – no surprises here. While I’m not as fond of Dirty Jeans… as I am Master of Disaster, a personal favorite, it stands among his best work. Standout: Adios To California
MATT WOODS, The Matt Woods Manifesto [★★★★/3.75]
Matt Woods is described as the kind of musician we love here at Twangville. He’s characterized as a hard-working and unrelenting but also a nice guy to be around who just loves playing music. The Knoxville-based artist marks a turn in his career from pop-rocker to hard twanger with The Matt Woods Manifesto. He and the band follow the righteous path of Steve Earle, The Drive-by Truckers and Scott Miller with his heartfelt lyrics and the band’s punishing rock. If this manifesto is a proclamation of things to come I hope he and the band stick to the plan. Great stuff! Standout: A Broken Heart
RAPHAEL SAADIQ, Stone Rollin’ [★★★★/3.700]
Twangville readers will appreciate Raphael Saadiq’s 5th album as being somewhere between Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings and Eli “Paperboy” Reed. The former Tony! Toni! Toné! singer and bassist takes 60′s Motown and 70′s Philly soul and gives it a new twist. For lack of a better reference I’d call it neoclassical soul. Saadiq plays bass, mellotron, keys, guitar, percussion and drums on most songs on the album. That’s no small feat. Listen for guest appearance by Robert Randolph on “Day Dreams”. It’s among the best R&B albums of the year for me. Standouts: Stone Rollin’, Day Dreams
AMERICAN GUN, Therapy [★★★★/3.700]
The Columbia, SC based foursome’s fourth full-length underscores why they’ve opened for bands like Lucero, The Avett Brothers and Jason Isbell – they rock! Previous albums highlighted their twangy roots. This one features heavy layering of boisterous instrumentation and powerful lyrics. The title says it best, rock and roll is the best therapy. Standout: Moving On Down The Line
TOMMY KEENE, Behind The Parade [★★★★/3.700]
Tommy Keene is one of the greatest living guitarists. His jangly sounding power-pop is the aural equivalent of a Jackson Pollock painting – it’s nothing and everything at the same time. The sound calls to mind The Byrds and in more recent times reminiscent of Matthew Sweet’s work. While the desirable guitarist has played alongside Robert Pollard and Paul Westerberg, Behind The Parade shows Keene is his own man and musician. The vocals largely take a back seat to the music but that’s not entirely a bad thing.
THE DUKE & THE KING, The Duke & The King [★★★★/3.667]
The Duke & The King is a four-piece outfit led by Simone Felice of the Felice Brothers and Robert ‘Chicken’ Burke. The self-titled album is like a post-modern revival of 70′s era peaceful, easy, feeling folk rock harmonies and all. Each song is in a twisted way reminiscent of classic bands like Crosby, Stills, and Nash, The Eagles, Lou Reed, and even the Bee Gees. Each member takes a turn at vocals to add a nice variety to the album. A few songs drag on but it’s an otherwise powerful album. Standout: Shine On You
THE GROWNUP NOISE, This Time With Feeling [★★★★/3.500]
Story has it that Paul Hansen (guitar/vocals) and Adam Sankowski (bass/vocals) formed The Grownup Noise back in 2005 when the two attended Berklee College of Music. The Boston-based band delivers a solid folk-pop effort with melodic poise and painterly lyrics. Katie Franich (cello) adds a nice touch with her soft vocals and moody strings.
CAITLIN ROSE, Own Side Now [★★★★/3.500]
The first full-length album for the Nashville-based artist. A bit of a throw-back in vocal style, much like Eilen Jewell. She’s been touring with Justin Townes Earle. Standout: Shanghai Cigarettes
SCOTTY ALAN, Wreck And The Mess [★★★/3.467]
BLACKIE & THE RODEO KINGS, Kings & Queens [★★★/3.429]
DAVID WAX MUSEUM, Everything Is Saved [★★★/3.417]
THE RATIONALES, The Distance In Between [★★★/3.400]
BROTHERS THROUGH THE HILL, Adelaide [★★★/3.400]
RICHARD ASHCROFT, United Nations Of Sound [★★★/3.385]
THE LATEBIRDS, Last Of The Good Ol’ Days [★★★/3.385]
BODEANS, Indigo Dreams [★★★/3.308]
THE FELICE BROTHERS, Celebration, Florida [★★★/3.182]
NICK 13, Nick 13 [★★★/3.000]
DOPP & THE INSIDE OUTLAWS, What Am I Supposed To Do [★★★/3.000]
PLAIN & SIMPLE, Bipolar 101 [★★★/3.000]
GRANT PEEPLES, Okra And Ecclesiastes [★★★/3.000]
NOT WAVING BUT DROWNING, Processional [★★★/2.917]
D. CHARLES SPEER & THE HELIX, Leaving The Commonwealth [★★★/2.889]
GRAVETOWN, Red River [★★★/2.667]
CONNIE KIS ANDERSEN, Connie Kis Andersen [★★★/2.583]
ZACHARY CALE, Noise of Welcome [★★/2.417]

Best EPs of 2011

CARRIE RODRIGUEZ AND BEN KYLE, We Still Love Our Country [★★★★/4.000]

Duo teams up to deliver an EP of covers and originals. The two compliment each other well. One can only hope the EP will lead to a full-length with roots music this good. Standouts: Your Lonely Heart (Kyle), My Baby’s Gone (Hazel Houser)
SIDEWALK DAVE, Can’t Be Your Friend [★★★★/3.500]
Every good night out ends with a good story. “Sidewalk Dave” Van Witt and his booze buds turn these stories into song. Add some Telecaster and Wurlitzer and you’ve got a rockin’ EP. I look forward to more from this crew.
POI DOG PONDERING, Audio Love Letter [★★★/3.429]
FRANK VIELE & THE MANHATTAN PROJECT, Acoustic Vudu [★★★/3.400]
THE LONGWALLS, Careers in Science [★★★/3.375]
CARELESS HEARTS, Three Songs [★★★/3.333]
LADYTOWN, Darling [★★★/2.857]

Best Compilations of 2011

VARIOUS ARTISTS, Rave On Buddy Holly [★★★/4.053]

A fitting tribute for a man who created a huge catalog of music in his far too short lifetime. Contributions include She and Him, Justin Townes Earle, and My Morning Jacket to name a few. I can only imagine that Buddy Holly is smiling somewhere. Standouts: (You’re So Square) Baby, I Don’t Care (Cee Lo Green), Heartbeat (The Detroit Cobras), I’m Gonna Love You Too (Jenny O.), Maybe Baby (Justin Townes Earle), Oh Boy! (She and Him)
VARIOUS ARTISTS, Joey’s Song: Volume 1 [★★★/3.438]
A compilation in honor of the life of Joey Gomoll who passed tragically at age 4. Proceeds go to The Joseph Gomoll Foundation a group working to raise awareness and to fight epilepsy. The foundation plans to release more and reports to have over 80 artists committed. This release features greats like Tim Easton, Justin Currie, Slaid Cleaves, and more. Standouts: If Your Tears Don’t Make A Sound (Del Amitri), People Got A Lotta Nerve (Neko Case)
VARIOUS ARTISTS, Sounds Like Brisbane [★★★/3.353]
VARIOUS ARTISTS, I Love: Tom T. Hall’s Songs of Fox Hollow [★★★/3.091]

Best Live Album of 2011

SLAID CLEAVES, Sorrow And Smoke [★★★★/4.091]

In his twenty years in Austin (by way of Portland, ME) Slaid Cleaves has never released a live album. That would be a shame if it weren’t for the 2 disc / 22 track “Sorrow And Smoke”. If the man wasn’t authentic enough he one ups himself by recording the live set in the very “Horseshoe Lounge” that inspired him to write a song in 2000. Drink clinks and bar banter paint a picture of the setting for these 90 minutes captured in time. The recording of vocals and acoustic guitar are quite remarkable. Every subtle detail is captured. Oliver Steck’s contributions on accordion, harmonica, and trumpet are an added bonus. Standouts: One Good Year, Horseshoe Lounge, Below

Best Greatest Hits of 2011

DRIVE-BY TRUCKERS, Ugly Buildings, Whores & Politicans: Greatest Hits 1998-2009 [★★★★/4.750]

Sixteen songs on one album by one of the greatest Southern rock bands of all time. Daaaaaamn! Alone Patterson Hood, Mike Cooley, and Jason Isbell are among the greatest songwriters living today. To have them all back on the same record is amazing even if it is old material. When you add their screaming guitars and the rest of the band you have alt-country bliss. There’s not a bad song on the album but I may have substituted Uncle Frank and A World of Hurt with The Day John Henry Died and Puttin’ People On The Moon Standouts: The Living Bubba, Ronnie and Neil, Zip City, Let There Be Rock, Marry Me, Sink Hole, Carl Perkins’ Cadillac, Outfit, Gravity’s Gone, Never Gonna Change, 3 Dimes Down, Lookout Mountain
PAUL KELLY, Songs From The South: Greatest Hits [★★★★/3.975]
I’ve been trying to figure out the best comparison for Australia’s legendary songwriter, Paul Kelly. On the one hand, he’s largely unknown outside his home country. That is so unfortunate because his talents are so vast. The best I could come up with is a comparison to Elvis Costello. Kelly’s early work with The Messengers reminds me of Costello’s work with The Attractions. Both continue on with solo careers that are Hall of Fame worthy. This compilation of greatest hits is deep with Disk 1 covering the years with The Messengers and Disk 2 covering the decade between 1998 and 2008. Let’s hope these 40 songs help bring Paul Kelly the worldwide notice he deserves. Standouts: Dumb Things, Pouring Petrol On A Burning Man, How To Make Gravy

Readers’ Pick: What Was Your Favorite Album of 2011?

Tom Osborne — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 12:00:47 +0000

Over the course of the year we’ve had a weekly poll highlighting select new releases. You’ve picked your favorites each week and those have turned into our weekly and monthly Readers’ Picks. Now it’s time to turn the short list into a Twangville Readers’ Pick of 2011.

To qualify, a release had to have at least as many votes as our monthly Readers’ Pick with the least votes. In this case, that was both releases by The Decemberists with 17 votes each. If something you liked didn’t make the list, remember to vote each week next year.

Leading up to the 2012 release season we’ll be offering up the annual Readers Pick Poll. Please vote for your favorite release of 2011 that made the list and we’ll announce the winner at the end. Here’s the recap:

2011 Monthly Reader’s Picks

Jan: THE DECEMBERISTS, The King Is Dead (17)
Feb: THE WAILIN’ JENNYS, Bright Morning Stars (166)
Mar: LUCINDA WILLIAMS, Blessed (25)
Apr: JASON ISBELL AND 400 UNIT, Here We Rest (28)
May: MY MORNING JACKET, Circuital (18)
Jun: GILLIAN WELCH, The Harrow & The Harvest (24)
Jul: BODEANS, Indigo Dreams (31)
Aug: JOHN HIATT, Dirty Jeans & Mudslide Hymns (33)
Sep: WILCO, The Whole Love (26)
Oct: RYAN ADAMS, Ashes & Fire (30)
Nov: THE DECEMBERISTS, Long Live the King EP (17)

Honorable Mentions

TOM WAITS, Bad As Me (18)
JAYHAWKS, Mockingbird Time (24)
MATTHEW RYAN, I Recall Standing as Though Nothing Could Fall (19)
THE BOTTLE ROCKETS, Not So Loud: An Acoustic Evening (19)
DAVE ALVIN, Eleven Eleven (21)
NEIL YOUNG INTERNATIONAL HARVESTERS, A Treasure (20)
STEVE EARLE, I’ll Never Get Out of This World Alive (26)
R.E.M., Collapse Into Now (18)
DRIVE-BY TRUCKERS, Go-Go Boots (20)
HAYES CARLL, KMAG YOYO (& other American stories) (17)

Happy Twangsgiving, a 2011 Toast

Tom Osborne — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 12:00:00 +0000

As Twangville completes it’s 6th year in existence, it’s only right that we pause and raise a glass to all who have made this little site possible again for one more year. It’s artists like Jason Isbell, Will Hoge, Lucinda Williams, Gillian Welch and Old 97s who continually inspire us to write reviews. The under-the-radar artists like Mount Moriah, The Only Sons, American Gun, Matthew Ryan, and Glossary that keep us searching to try to find the next big thing. The awesome record labels like New West and Bloodshot help us organize giveaways to help promote new music and give back to the community.

More importantly, I want to extend a huge thank you to our posse of reviewers: Todd, Chip, Kelly, Eli, Shawn, and Jeff who volunteer their time to write many of the amazing reviews that you enjoy on a regular basis. I especially want to thank Mayer who works hard behind the scenes week after week to help us coordinate posts and for letting us live vicariously through all the live show experiences he shares with us.

Also, we can’t go without thanking all of you who read our articles and pass them on. We now have over 1,000 followers on Twitter and over 800 on Facebook which means our audience continues to grow. We write about Alt-Country, Americana, Folk, Rock & Blues music to share our own passions with others. So thank you for helping to keep the dream alive!

Twangville Tees

Before you go, be sure and check out our swanky new Twangville Tee Shirt Shop. For a limited time, we’re selling them as cheap as it costs to make ‘em as our way of saying thanks for your support. To sweeten the deal we’re giving away two free shirts! All you have to do is comment by midnight EST on Thursday, December 1, 2011 and tell us your favorite post from 2011. We’ll pick two random winners from all those who comment and follow up by email.

As a cheatsheet, here are a few of my personal favorites:

What’s your favorite Twangville post of 2011?

**By participating in Twangville contests you agree to allow Twangville to post the winner’s name and city on our web site. Twangville will not use your address for any other reason. Contest limited to US residents.

Tom’s Picks: Best of Summer 2011

Tom Osborne — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 12:00:50 +0000

Here are some of my favorites from the Summer.

Best of Summer 2011

OLD 97S, The Grand Theatre, Vol. 2 [★★★★/4.308]

This is side two of last year’s full length originally conceived of as a double album. The band says that releasing with time in between afforded them time to adjust the songs and add a few more. Good call. Most reviews I’ve read have pinned Vol. 2 as slightly lesser than Vol. 1. I’ll be the first to say I think this is the better album. Put the two together and you’ve got a great set. “Bright Spark” is worth the album cost alone with its pounding drums, warbling guitar, and raucous vocals. It’s a good thing they’re still going strong after 20 years with their unique power-pop meets folk-punk approach to rock and roll. Standouts: Perfume, No Simple Machine, Bright Spark (See What I Mean), You Call It Rain
MATTHEW RYAN, I Recall Standing As Though Nothing Could Fall [★★★★/4.000]
This is the 13th album from Matthew Ryan whose songwriting keeps getting better and better with each release. Number thirteen is filled with politically and socially charged reflections upon current events and casual discussions with friends as described by the artist. From what I can tell, this is Ryan’s Ghost of Tom Joad (Springsteen) in that it’s filled with hazy and gray narratives that just needed to be told in these colorful times. The drum machine gets to me in parts but the must-be Edge-inspired (U2) guitar riffs heard on Hey Kid and All Hail The Kings Of Trash make up for it. “All Of That Means Nothing Now” which thematically could have fit on the previous album, Dear Lover, with it’s talk of heartbreak is one of the best tracks of the year. Standouts: Hey Kid, All Of That Means Nothing Now, Here Comes The Snow
HOTEL LIGHTS, Girl Graffiti [★★★★/3.909]

Hotel Lights is new to me but apparently they’ve been around since 2003 and have had songs featured on Grey’s Anatomy and One Tree Hill. The band was formed by former Ben Folds Five drummer and songwriter Darren Jessee and borrows Jay Brown (bass) and Zeke Hutchins (drums) from Tift Merritt’s band. Jessee gets songwriting credits for BFF’s hit “Brick” and similarly applies that experience on Girl Graffiti with “My Asshole Friends”. That may be were comparisons end. Girl Graffiti is far more ethereal and sublime than we’ve heard from his time with BFF. I’m drawn to pop tracks “Falling Down” and “My Pretty Quirk” which have a Elliott Smith meets Nada Surf vibe to them. A great addition to the Fall lineup. Standouts: Falling Down
RECKLESS KELLY, Good Luck & True Love [★★★★/3.900]

This is the ninth album from the Texas-based Reckless Kelly and first release with new material since 2008′s Bulletproof. More recently the produced a tribute to songwriter Pinto Bennett titled Somewhere In Time (2008). Fifteen years after forming the band they are ditching their label and trying it on their own. It’s not quite the rocker that we heard with Bulletproof nor as country as Somewhere in Time. Where Good Luck & True Love lacks edge it makes up for with thoughtful songwriting, solid musicianship, and twang the way it should be played. Reckless Kelly remains one of the best rock & country bands around.
JOHN HIATT, Dirty Jeans And Mudslide Hymns [★★★★/3.818]

Two things ring true about John Hiatt’s 20th solo album, Dirty Jeans And Mudslide Hymns… 1) he makes a less than perfect world lovable and 2) he’s still a badass – no surprises here. While I’m not as fond of Dirty Jeans… as I am Master of Disaster, a personal favorite, it stands among his best work. Standout: Adios To California
TOMMY KEENE, Behind The Parade [★★★★/3.700]

Tommy Keene is one of the greatest living guitarists. His jangly sounding power-pop is the aural equivalent of a Jackson Pollock painting – it’s nothing and everything at the same time. The sound calls to mind The Byrds and in more recent times reminiscent of Matthew Sweet’s work. While the desirable guitarist has played alongside Robert Pollard and Paul Westerberg, Behind The Parade shows Keene is his own man and musician. The vocals largely take a back seat to the music but that’s not entirely a bad thing.
THE DUKE & THE KING, The Duke & The King [★★★★/3.667]

The Duke & The King is a four-piece outfit led by Simone Felice of the Felice Brothers and Robert ‘Chicken’ Burke. The self-titled album is like a post-modern revival of 70′s era peaceful, easy, feeling folk rock harmonies and all. Each song is in a twisted way reminiscent of classic bands like Crosby, Stills, and Nash, The Eagles, Lou Reed, and even the Bee Gees. Each member takes a turn at vocals to add a nice variety to the album. A few songs drag on but it’s an otherwise powerful album. Standout: Shine On You
THE LATEBIRDS, Last Of The Good Ol’ Days [★★★/3.385]
BODEANS, Indigo Dreams [★★★/3.308]

Readers’ Pick: John Hiatt, “Dirty Jeans & Mudslide Hymns”

Tom Osborne — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 12:00:10 +0000

READERS PICK: AUGUST 2011

Twangville readers picked Dirty Jeans & Mudslide Hymns by the John Hiatt as their favorite album of July 2011.

Two things ring true about John Hiatt’s 20th solo album, Dirty Jeans And Mudslide Hymns… 1) he makes a less than perfect world lovable and 2) he’s still a badass – no surprises here. The opening track is exactly what we’ve come to expect from Hiatt. “Damn This Town” opens with an electric guitar that sounds as pissed as the protagonist. Lucinda Williams may be the only other artist that could pull off a song this beautifully angry. “I Love That Girl” and “Detroit Made” balance out an otherwise dark album with their upbeat odes to two of man’s favorite loves – automobiles and women. “Adios to California” is the perfect endcap to complement the opener, “Damn This Town”. Where the first song is bitter, Adios… is complacent. You can practically feel the wind blowing through the windows as you picture the beautiful Golden State disappearing in the rearview. While I’m not as fond of Dirty Jeans… as I am Master of Disaster, a personal favorite, it stands among his best work. Standout: Adios To California

[★★★★/3.818 - Tom Osborne]

Readers’ Pick: BoDeans, “Indigo Dreams”

Tom Osborne — Fri, 19 Aug 2011 12:00:42 +0000

READERS PICK: JULY 2011

Twangville readers picked Indigo Dreams by the BoDeans as their favorite album of July 2011.

If you’ve never heard the 90s hit wonder “Closer To Free” you must be living on Mars or a country awfully close to the red planet. Featured as the theme song to Fox’s hit show “Party of Five” the BoDeans made a dent in pop music as we know it.

Many years and 10 studio albums later the band led by Kurt Neumann and Sam Llanas is still making an impact with their latest release Indigo Dreams. Not ones to boast they are quick to say they are just ordinary guys writing to accentuate the positive with “songs that bring good things to the world.” Indigo Dreams is described as “a salute to the workingman – his dreams, his desires, his love, his responsibilities, his ethos.”

Upon listening I was immediately drawn to “Wrap Me” which is probably the closest on the album to the energetic vibe that we heard with “Closer to Free”. Indigo Dreams is at it’s best with songs like this where Neumann and Llanas sound like they are rolling along in perfect unison both vocally and mentally. “Blowin’ My Mind”, “How Can We”, and “Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is” follow this pattern quite well with their rockin’ deliveries. The rest of the album falls apart for me. It’s almost like we have three different albums here. One for the band and two solo recordings. Fortunately, the storytelling through songwriting is strong. All in all, I’m glad the band is still having fun and providing joy to their large legion of fans around the world and I’m especially glad the accordion is still going strong.

Standout: Wrap Me

[★★★/3.308]

- Tom Osborne

Readers’ Pick: Gillian Welch, “The Harrow & The Harvest”

Tom Osborne — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 14:54:26 +0000

READERS PICK: JUNE 2011

Twangville readers picked Gillian Welch‘s The Harrow & The Harvest as their favorite album of June 2011.

A harrow is a heavy, machine-size rake that drags over plowed land to remove weeds and break up lumps of earth and clay. There’s no doubt careful thought was put into the title of the first album in 8 years from Gillian Welch and long-time compadre, David Rawlings. The two allegedly produced two or three albums worth of songs since 2003′s Soul Journey but weren’t happy with what they’re results. Thus when they finally settled on The Harrow & The Harvest, a bounty of 10 new songs emerged for us to feast on. I’d say it was worth the wait.

With The Harrow & The Harvest, Welch and Rawlings stay true to form. Images of dust bowl era struggles still emerge with each track. There’s nothing uplifting about these songs. If anything the pain of each track serves to let the music be the elixir to conquer the sadness and distress painted in each song. For example, “Tennessee” tells the story of a girl who despite her best efforts to follow the straight and narrow is drawn to darker pursuits with lyrics like: “Even so I try to be a good girl / It’s only what I want that makes me weak / I had no desire to be a child of sin / Then you went and pressed your whiskers to my cheek”. “The Way It Goes” highlights the perfect accompaniment with David Rawlings furiously picking away in precise vocal harmony with Welch while she strums her way through another perfectly haunting tale.

The Harrow & The Harvest is further proof that Gillian Welch is the John Steinbeck of American folk music. When it comes to illustrating the present in pictures of the past few living singer-songwriters come close. Through tough tales we’re all softened a little and better off for knowing life’s sordid affairs so that we may learn to navigate the most treacherous of them. While we enjoy this gift for some time let’s hope we don’t have to wait another 8 years.

Standouts: The Way It Goes, Tennessee

[★★★★/4.100]

- Tom Osborne

For more, see what Twangville authors Eli, Jeff, and Shawn had to say about The Harrow & The Harvest.

Regretfully Overlooked in 2010

Tom Osborne — Wed, 20 Jul 2011 12:00:06 +0000

It’s just too hard to listen to every album that gets released in a given year. I certainly can’t. What that means is a handful of good recordings escaped me until this year. Fortunately, it’s never too late to discover good music. Here’s a few recommendations in case you missed them too.

JAMES MADDOCK, Sunrise on Avenue C [★★★★/4.462]

A comeback album for the former Wood member who gained some notoriety with a song placement on the first Dawson’s Creek compilation. Ten years later Maddock emerges with a masterpiece. If Rod Stewart and Jim Boggia made a baby album together it would sound an awful lot like Sunrise on Avenue C. Standouts: Prettier Girls, When the Sun’s Out, When You Go Quiet, Ruins, Dumbed Down, Yours Again
BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN, The Promise [★★★★/4.381]

Epic! Includes 21 songs left behind from the Darkness On The Edge Of Town recording sessions. Springsteen himself allegedly says these songs could/should have been released after Born to Run and right before Darkness On The Edge Of Town. If this doesn’t define a fertile period I don’t know what does. Standouts: Outside Looking In, Because the Night, Wrong Side of the Street, Rendezvous, Save My Love, Ain’t Good Enough For You, Fire, Talk To Me
THE AVETT BROTHERS, The Avett Brothers Live, Volume 3 [★★★★/4.375]

You haven’t experienced The Avett Brothers unless you’ve seen them live. I wouldn’t have believed this until I saw them play Ruth Eckerd Hall in Tampa, FL. These guys are true showmen and the fans LOVE them. This album set in Charlotte, NC can’t substitute the real thing but it’s about as close as you’ll get. Standouts: Talk on Indolence, The Ballad of Love and Hate, I and Love and You, When I Drink, Head Full of Doubt / Room Full of Promise, The Perfect Space, Kick Drum Heart
RYAN ADAMS, III/IV [★★★★/4.143]

Released quietly in December this double-album features songs from the Easy Tiger sessions according to Paste Magazine. To me these songs are like sketches in a sketchbook. In other words, there are moments of brilliance but as a complete set it’s a little random. Big chords, quirky lyrics, and pure energy harken back to the 80s. Totally awesome in that way. Standouts: Breakdown Into The Resolve, Wasteland, P.S., Death and Rats
MY JERUSALEM, Gone For Good [★★★★/3.583]

After touring with different bands as a singer-songwriter, Jeff Klein assembled this talent collective from various members of such notable bands as Twilight Singers, Bishop Allen, Midlake, and Polyphonic Spree to name a few. I was turned on to them after John Anderson’s glowing review upon return from SXSW ’11. This, their debut album, was recorded in New Orleans. I’m left pining for more. Let’s hope a follow up is already in the works. Standouts: Bury It Low