There’s a new Josh Ritter in town. No more “Bright smiles and dark eyes” and “I’ll be the one to drive you back home, Kathleen.” Now there are lyrics like these: “Nightmares have their dreams as well, / when they sleep they go to hell / and they drink their fill on lakes of blood… [...] more »

by Suzanne McMahon

New York City’s The Living Room has long been recognized as a music lover’s paradise. The venue has been a musical home to artists like Norah Jones and a place where artists like the Punch Brothers can comfortably explore new material. As recently as a few weeks ago, the Lumineers talked in the New York [...] more »

by Mayer Danzig

Here it is Friday afternoon before a long weekend for most, and spring break for many (or Ski Week, as it’s called here on the left coast).  For lots of people that means a road trip of some kind, and I can’t think of anything better for a long drive than some bluegrass.  Fortunately the [...] more »

by Shawn Underwood

Bill Mallonee’s 50th release (that is not a typo by the way) is one of his most impassioned. I realize that is a bold statement when the referenced artist has such a large body of work. The lyrics on “Amber Waves” are full of pain and loss. However, there is an underlying hope in these [...] more »

by Chip Frazier

ALBUMS OF THE MONTH Battles, by Kingsley Flood Battles is the sound of a band hitting stride. Kingsley Flood have always delivered rock solid songs and performances. Their latest release, however, packages their most potent songwriting to date with some equally powerful arrangements. There’s a real edge to the songs across this release. The title [...] more »

by Mayer Danzig

“Why are you drinkin’ like the night is young?”  From the opening words of the opening song on Holly Williams’ latest album, The Highway, she provides ammunition to anyone arguing that good songwriting can draw from one’s genes.  Less like her father and half-brother, who seem to reflect the hard living and partying aspect of [...] more »

by Shawn Underwood

To say that Bill Mallonee is prolific in his songwriting is an understatement. Between traditional releases and online releases, he has recorded 50 albums. Based in Athens, he came on the scene in the late 80’s as the front man for the Vigilantes of Love, but has primarily been a solo-act for the better part [...] more »

by Chip Frazier

I’ll get straight to the point here.  Carrie Rodriguez has finally captured the energy, or spirit, or je ne sais quoi, or whatever you want to call it, of seeing her live, on a record.  I’ve enjoyed Carrie’s previous records.  But they tended to be sort of introspective.  Go to a live show, though, and [...] more »

by Shawn Underwood

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by Mayer Danzig

Patty Griffin and Robert Plant (billed as “Her Driver”) played a pair of intimate shows a few weeks ago at Austin’s Continental Club. The occasion was for a pair of fundraisers. The first show for Austin musician Michael Fracasso, an Austin musician who was injured in an auto accident while on tour. The second show [...] more »

by Mayer Danzig

Josh Ritter is gearing up to release a new album this coming March. While we wait with anticipation, here’s one from the archives. This performance of “Empty Heart” took place in Belfast back in 2009 with an accompanying string trio billed as the “Love Cannon String Band.” It’s hard to tell who was having more [...] more »

by Mayer Danzig

Over the last 6 months or so I’ve come across a few albums or EP’s that I enjoyed, but for one reason or another didn’t do a full review.  As the year winds down I figured it’s a good time to collect a few of those into a single post. Wasabi – Wide Open An [...] more »

by Shawn Underwood

I posted a best songs list for the first half of 2012 back in July (here). Rather than replicate that list for my full year review, consider this the continuation — the best songs from the second half of the year. Love Changes Everything, Session Americana (from the self-released Love and Dirt) Session Americana wrap [...] more »

by Mayer Danzig

It’s been a great year of music in Boston. I’ve been fortunate to see lots of great local favorites live, from Todd Thibaud to Old Jack to Dennis Brennan to the Rationales. It was also a great year for new Boston music, as evidenced by the fine, fine releases below. SESSION AMERICANA, Love and Dirt [...] more »

by Mayer Danzig

This video would be worthy of posting based on the song’s merit alone. Paul Kelly’s melancholy ode to Christmas is a masterpiece. Hearing Kelly tell the story behind the song is a bonus worthy of sharing. “I’ve got a Christmas song, but it doesn’t have a chorus and it’s set in prison.” more »

by Mayer Danzig