Twangville » Readers’ Pick http://twangville.com Because spoon-fed music sucks and twang is cheaper than therapy. Alt-Country, Americana, Indie, Rock, Folk & Blues. Est. 2005. Fri, 10 Feb 2012 15:44:58 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 Readers’ Pick: Best Album of 2011: Jason Isbell’s “Here We Rest” http://twangville.com/9530/readers-picks-best-albums-of-2011/ http://twangville.com/9530/readers-picks-best-albums-of-2011/#comments Thu, 12 Jan 2012 12:00:23 +0000 Tom Osborne http://twangville.com/?p=9530 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.

Jason Isbell, Here We Rest

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

]]> http://twangville.com/9530/readers-picks-best-albums-of-2011/feed/ 0 Readers’ Pick: John Hiatt, “Dirty Jeans & Mudslide Hymns” http://twangville.com/8146/readers%e2%80%99-pick-john-hiatt-%e2%80%9cdirty-jeans-mudslide-hymns%e2%80%9d/ http://twangville.com/8146/readers%e2%80%99-pick-john-hiatt-%e2%80%9cdirty-jeans-mudslide-hymns%e2%80%9d/#comments Tue, 27 Sep 2011 12:00:10 +0000 Tom Osborne http://twangville.com/?p=8146 John Hiatt, Dirty Jeans & Mudslide Hymns

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]

]]> http://twangville.com/8146/readers%e2%80%99-pick-john-hiatt-%e2%80%9cdirty-jeans-mudslide-hymns%e2%80%9d/feed/ 0 Readers’ Pick: BoDeans, “Indigo Dreams” http://twangville.com/7751/readers%e2%80%99-pick-bodeans-%e2%80%9cindigo-dreams%e2%80%9d/ http://twangville.com/7751/readers%e2%80%99-pick-bodeans-%e2%80%9cindigo-dreams%e2%80%9d/#comments Fri, 19 Aug 2011 12:00:42 +0000 Tom Osborne http://twangville.com/?p=7751 BoDeans, "Indigo Dreams"

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

]]> http://twangville.com/7751/readers%e2%80%99-pick-bodeans-%e2%80%9cindigo-dreams%e2%80%9d/feed/ 0 Readers’ Pick: Gillian Welch, “The Harrow & The Harvest” http://twangville.com/7595/readers%e2%80%99-pick-gillian-welch-%e2%80%9cthe-harrow-the-harvest%e2%80%9d/ http://twangville.com/7595/readers%e2%80%99-pick-gillian-welch-%e2%80%9cthe-harrow-the-harvest%e2%80%9d/#comments Tue, 26 Jul 2011 14:54:26 +0000 Tom Osborne http://twangville.com/?p=7595 Gillian Welch, The Harrow & The Harvest

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.

]]> http://twangville.com/7595/readers%e2%80%99-pick-gillian-welch-%e2%80%9cthe-harrow-the-harvest%e2%80%9d/feed/ 0 Readers’ Pick: My Morning Jacket, “Circuital” http://twangville.com/7252/readers%e2%80%99-pick-my-morning-jacket-%e2%80%9chere-we-rest%e2%80%9d/ http://twangville.com/7252/readers%e2%80%99-pick-my-morning-jacket-%e2%80%9chere-we-rest%e2%80%9d/#comments Thu, 23 Jun 2011 12:00:26 +0000 Tom Osborne http://twangville.com/?p=7252 My Morning Jacket, Circuital

READERS PICK: MAY 2011

Twangville readers picked My Morning Jacket‘s Circuital as their favorite album of May 2011.

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.

Known for their sonic experimentation, this release is no different. “Victory Dance” opens with James sounding off what sounds like horns but doing so with his voice becoming a battle cry of sorts. Title track “Circuital” sports a few bars reminiscent of YouTube sensation Keyboard Cat. I can only surmise this is their ongoing sense of humor playing out. Some may find it distracting. True or not, it makes me like the song more. “Holdin’ On To Black Metal” is a Wayne Coyne (Flaming Lips) meets James Bond moment with a chorus of girls celebrating “black metal” with triumphant horns as backdrop to James’s signature falsetto.

Like most My Morning Jacket albums, this one took a few listens to strike a chord with me. Now, I can’t stop listening. 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 Wanna Freak Out

]]> http://twangville.com/7252/readers%e2%80%99-pick-my-morning-jacket-%e2%80%9chere-we-rest%e2%80%9d/feed/ 0 Readers’ Pick: Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit, “Here We Rest” http://twangville.com/6914/readers%e2%80%99-pick-jason-isbell-the-400-unit-%e2%80%9chere-we-rest%e2%80%9d/ http://twangville.com/6914/readers%e2%80%99-pick-jason-isbell-the-400-unit-%e2%80%9chere-we-rest%e2%80%9d/#comments Tue, 24 May 2011 12:00:41 +0000 Tom Osborne http://twangville.com/?p=6914 Jason Isbell, Here We Rest

READERS PICK: APRIL 2011

Twangville readers picked Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit‘s Here We Rest as their favorite album of April 2011. 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 which featured a bald eagle riding a shield and carrying a banner in its beak with the motto on it. Interestingly enough, Isbell’s album cover features Alabama’s state bird, the yellowhammer, having it out with Washington, D.C.’s bird, the wood thrush.

At first, I was disappointed that Here We Rest isn’t as rockin’ as the previous self-titled album, but what it lacks in intensity it makes up for in soulful variety. Take for example the band’s cover of Candi Staton’s “Heart On A String”. If that doesn’t recreate Southern soul at it’s best with the underlying organ and back-up vocals I don’t know what will. We also see the best of Isbell’s songwriting abilities in songs like “Alabama Pines” a story about someone who’s seen better days and longs to relive happier times and “Tour of Duty” a story about a soldier’s return home wanting so badly to live a “normal” life. You could say the same of heartbreaker “Codeine”. Much credit goes to the 400 Unit composed of keyboard player Derry deBorja, guitarist Browan Lollar, bassist Jimbo Hart and drummer Chad Gamble who give the album its soulful range.

Jason Isbell is now, more than ever, in control of his destiny to rule the americana, roots, alt-country, and americana airwaves.

Standouts: Alabama Pines, Go It Alone, Codeine, Stopping By, Heart On A String, We’ve Met

[★★★★/4.455]

– Tom Osborne

Learn more at the Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit website. Also, be sure to see Eli Petersen’s interview with Jason Isbell and Chip Frazier’s review of Here We Rest both on Twangville.

]]> http://twangville.com/6914/readers%e2%80%99-pick-jason-isbell-the-400-unit-%e2%80%9chere-we-rest%e2%80%9d/feed/ 1 Readers’ Pick: Lucinda Williams, “Blessed” http://twangville.com/6546/readers%e2%80%99-pick-lucinda-williams-%e2%80%9cblessed%e2%80%9d/ http://twangville.com/6546/readers%e2%80%99-pick-lucinda-williams-%e2%80%9cblessed%e2%80%9d/#comments Wed, 20 Apr 2011 12:00:07 +0000 Tom Osborne http://twangville.com/?p=6546 Lucinda Williams, Blessed

READERS PICK: MARCH 2011

Twangville readers recently picked Lucinda Williams Blessed as their favorite album of March 2011. It seems like each time Williams releases a new album critics call it the best since Car Wheels On A Gravel Road. I guess that’s the consequence of having a Grammy-winning album. While comparisons will forever be expected they won’t get you very far especially with Lucinda. If there’s anything that she can be called it’s consistent. Each of her albums tell stories and more often than not very personal ones. Stories that most of us would even keep from our best of friends. That’s why Lucinda Williams is a big deal. She tells it like it is and she doesn’t care what people think. This time around she’s looking back on her life at 58 years-young with an apparent satisfaction. Listen for the intimate reflections in the title track where blessings can be found in the least likely of places. She almost describes herself with lines like “we were blessed by the warrior / who didn’t need to win”. Rockers like Buttercup an Seeing Black are amongst the best we’ve heard from her with in ass-kicking mode.

Pay close attention to find 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.

Absolutely marvelous.

Standouts: Buttercup, Copenhagen, Seeing Black

[★★★★/4.250]

– Tom Osborne

Learn more at the Lucinda Williams website and Lost Highway Records. Also, be sure to see what Twangville’s Chip Frazier has to say about Blessed.

]]> http://twangville.com/6546/readers%e2%80%99-pick-lucinda-williams-%e2%80%9cblessed%e2%80%9d/feed/ 0 Readers’ Pick: The Wailin’ Jennys, “Bright Morning Stars” http://twangville.com/6105/readers%e2%80%99-pick-the-wailin-jennys-%e2%80%9cbright-morning-stars%e2%80%9d/ http://twangville.com/6105/readers%e2%80%99-pick-the-wailin-jennys-%e2%80%9cbright-morning-stars%e2%80%9d/#comments Wed, 09 Mar 2011 11:00:37 +0000 Tom Osborne http://twangville.com/?p=6105 Wailin' Jennys, Bright Morning Star Album Cover

READERS PICK: FEBRUARY 2011

Twangville readers recently picked The Wailin’ Jennys Bright Morning Stars as their favorite album of February 2011. 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. In keeping with their down home style the album was recorded in a cottage near Haliburton, Ontario.

I have to admit I didn’t find the record all too remarkable at first. But sure enough, it get’s sweeter with each listen. Co-producers Mark Howard and David Travers-Smith deserve much credit for the production quality of the record. “Bird Song” typifies the album with it’s beautiful, spring-like quality. “Bright Morning Stars” will take you to the river to pray with it’s transcendent harmony. “Storm Comin’” intensifies the record with it’s thunderous bluesy angle. All told, “Bright Morning Stars” is a refreshing take on traditional folk that is sure to please.

[★★★★/3.923]

– Tom Osborne

Learn more at The Wailin’ Jennys website and Red House Records.

]]> http://twangville.com/6105/readers%e2%80%99-pick-the-wailin-jennys-%e2%80%9cbright-morning-stars%e2%80%9d/feed/ 1 Readers’ Pick: The Decemberists, “The King Is Dead” http://twangville.com/5831/readers-pick-the-decemberists-the-king-is-dead/ http://twangville.com/5831/readers-pick-the-decemberists-the-king-is-dead/#comments Thu, 10 Feb 2011 22:09:56 +0000 Tom Osborne http://twangville.com/?p=5831 Album Cover for The Decemberists, The King is Dead

READERS PICK: JANUARY 2011

Twangville readers recently picked The Decemberists‘ The King is Dead as their favorite album of January 2011. To record album number six The Decemberists shacked up in a remote barn outside of their Portland, OR base. For this release, the band shied away from their common concept album format to do something a little different. Lead singer, Colin Meloy, sums it up best when he says:

It’s like going from reading a novel to reading a bunch of short stories.

Influences from Camper Van Beethoven, Neil Young, The Byrds, and R.E.M. abound. Peter Buck, Gillian Welch, and Dave Rawlings contribute greatly throughout the record with Buck’s signature sound obvious on “Calamity Song”. Post-Appalachian influences reign in this pop-infused, folk-rock barnstormer.

The Decemberists have been hit or miss for me in the past but that’s no where near true on The King Is Dead as I can’t get enough of it. Who needs a concept album when you have 10 brilliant songs on the same album? The album recently climbed to #1 on the Billboard 200 Chart. It’s the first five star album of the year from this guy.

Standouts: Calamity Song, Rox in the Box, January Hymn, Down By The Water, June Hymn, This Is Why We Fight, Dear Avery

[★★★★★/4.700]

]]> http://twangville.com/5831/readers-pick-the-decemberists-the-king-is-dead/feed/ 2 Readers’ Pick: Scott Miller, “Christmas Gift” http://twangville.com/5632/readers-pick-scott-miller-christmas-gift/ http://twangville.com/5632/readers-pick-scott-miller-christmas-gift/#comments Mon, 17 Jan 2011 16:07:13 +0000 Tom Osborne http://twangville.com/?p=5632 Scott Miller, Christmas Gift

READERS PICK: DECEMBER 2010

Twangville readers recognized Scott Miller’s “Christmas Gift” as their favorite holiday album of 2010 which also makes it our Readers’ pick for the month of December. When Miller was asked about it he plainly said “Why a Christmas record? Because I like Christmas, that’s why.” That seems like a good enough reason for me. With seven tracks it’s not a full-length but what it doesn’t have in quantity it makes up for in quality. A standout track for me is a cover of Neil Young’s “Star of Bethlehem” a version that could only make the legend proud. “Christmas in Prison”, also a cover (J. Prine), brings to mind the Pogues with it’s powerful but restrained delivery. Original track “Yes, Virginia” paints a picture of Christmas time at the Miller ranch which must be a trip if this song is any indication. Thanks for the gift, Scott. May your new year be full of peace and blessings. — Tom Osborne [★★★★/4.143]

Song Notes by Scott Miller

“The Kingdom Has Come/Journey of the Magi” (S. Miller, T.S. Eliot) – I knew I wanted R.B. Morris, fellow Knoxville artist, to read something, maybe the verses from Luke that everybody uses, but he pulled this T.S. Eliot poem from a copy of Hard Knox Reviews. I had written the song years ago for a WNCW Christmas CD not thinking then of the Eliot poem or that they could work together. (Now in reality, I just wanted to see my name next to that modernist poet who gave me such fits in school.)

“Yes, Virginia” (S. Miller) – I think this song explains why I wanted to make a Christmas record. Of course I love the baby Jesus, but this is the time of year when all of my family got together and if you grew up on a cattle farm in the MIDDLE OF NOWHERE, you would understand how special those times were.

“Christmas in Prison” (J. Prine) – Ain’t no secret I love the John Prine! I heard they did a tribute record to him, but nobody asked me. I would have done this song, Christmas or not.

“Joyful, Joyful” (p.d. arr. By S. Miller) – This is “Dueling Banjos” meets Ludwig van Beethoven. I have a video idea for this song that probably wouldn’t come across in print, but I hope to have it ready by the time this is released. John Taylor is the banjo player and was in a bluegrass band I formed way before the V-Roys. I think he’s awesome.

“Old Toy Trains” (R. Miller) – Todd Steed, who produced and recorded this EP at his Apeville Studio in Knoxville, had to convince me it was okay to do this song. This song is G R E A T and Roger’s version is G R E A T, but I got a chance to actually sing on this instead of yell, so I like it.

“Star of Bethlehem” (N. Young) – I do a show around the second week of December in Johnson City, TN every year and I always play this. The best part…to secure the rights to this song I had to write a check to NEIL YOUNG! It will be framed (if it doesn’t bounce).

“Holy, Holy, Holy” (p.d. arr. By S. Miller) – A hymn so nice, they named it thrice!

You can purchase Scott Miller’s “Christmas Gift” at his online store.

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