Click, whirrr.  Click, whirrr.  Like some aural Polaroid the recently released third album from upstate New York band Eastbound Jesus spits out snapshots of life in northern rural America that quickly take on the patina of nostalgia even when they’re new.  Northern Rock is as much about stories set to music as it is songwriting. [...] more »

by Shawn Underwood

Randall Bramblett is generally known as much for his associations as he is for his own body of work. That is largely due to the innate talent that made him a coveted session and touring musician, who primarily wrote and created for others. While he released a couple of solo records in the 70’s, it [...] more »

by Chip Frazier

 Shawn Nelson and The Good Buds – Enough Back in 2011 I reviewed San Juan Street from Shawn Nelson and was enamored of the protagonist perspective in many of his songs along with the variety of musical influences.  So I was happy to see he has an EP out with his band, now known as [...] more »

by Shawn Underwood

It is only May and it has already been an amazing year for Boston music. Below are some of the highlights from some of the impressive releases making for a mighty fine musical spring in Beantown. FEATURED ALBUMS Waterfall, by Todd Thibaud Thibaud’s latest album is a bit of a paradox. For all it’s upbeat [...] more »

by Mayer Danzig

Kevin Russell is an enigma.  As lead singer and songwriter for The Gourds, he led one of the biggest party bands in Texas history.  Just try to find someone in central Texas who doesn’t know the words to Gin & Juice (written by Snoop Dogg: a good example of why you shouldn’t get locked into [...] more »

by Shawn Underwood

It is hard to describe songs that leave you speechless. The breathtaking tracks on “American Kid” mesmerize from beginning to end. This is Patty Griffin’s first album of original material in six years. Since then she has recorded an album of Gospel songs and hymns, “Downtown Church”, and toured with Robert Plant’s Band of Joy. [...] more »

by Chip Frazier

“I would give anything if I could sing like George Jones. If we could all sound like we wanted to, we’d sound like George Jones.” -Waylon Jennings Growing up in flyover country in the 70′s George Jones represented what I hated so much about country music, particularly with his wife at the time, Tammy Wynette. [...] more »

by Eli Petersen

Look. It only took me eleven words to drop in my Exile On Main Street reference. Sorry Kurt Marschke, you ain’t never out running that one. The Deadstring Brothers front man and sole surviving member has had his music compared to the golden era of the glimmer twins for so long he probably thinks “Moves [...] more »

by Eli Petersen

In the middle of April, a few weeks after the madness of SXSW, one of the more under appreciated events on the Austin music scene happens about 30 miles southwest of town; The Old Settler’s Music Festival.  Here are some of the highlights from this year’s festivities. Who Was That Band? Festivals like this always [...] more »

by Shawn Underwood

Writing this review is difficult for me, and not because my feelings about the album are ambiguous. I almost uniformly adore the record. The difficulty arises in attempting to write about the record. Because, despite my adoration of The Stand-In, I can’t really put my finger on the reason why. Every thought comes across as [...] more »

by Eli Petersen

Lisa Biales (pronounced “Be-Alice”) has a uniquely clear voice reminiscent of Patsy Cline, whom she once portrayed in a community theater musical production. That clear, soothing voice of hers is a fresh change from the scorching vocals of many country and blues singers today. The Oxford, Ohio based Biales has independently released seven previous albums [...] more »

by Bill Wilcox

ALBUMS OF THE MONTH The Other Life, by Shooter Jennings I’ll admit that I haven’t spent much time with Shooter’s previous releases. No real explanation, his music just never made it into my rotation. My bad. His latest is one of the most refreshing country records that I’ve heard in quite some time. Shooter and [...] more »

by Mayer Danzig

Duke Robillard, a founding member of Roomful of Blues and the first great guitarist to emerge from the band, has a long track record of superb guitar work.  Unlike his fellow Roomful alumnus Ronnie Earl, Robillard is a colorful singer as well as a guitarist, and Robillard’s music usually frames his vocals, although he has also [...] more »

by Bill Wilcox

Unless you are a die-hard blues enthusiast, Ronnie Earl is probably the best guitarist you’ve never heard of.  A sensitive, masterful guitarist, he has been laying down magical licks for close to 35 years.  He is totally in love with his instrument, and, as evidenced by his expressive playing, he has a special connection to [...] more »

by Bill Wilcox

Here’s a handful that caught my attention in the same season that brought us the Harlem Shake. Pay close attention to the full releases from Mount Moriah, Frontier Ruckus, Kelly Willis & Bruce Robison, Ben Harper & Charlie Musselwhite, Kingsley Flood, The Stone Foxes, and Holly Williams among others. Album of the Season Mount Moriah, [...] more »

by Tom Osborne