Twangville


Alt-Country

Ray Lamontagne – God Willin’ & The Creek Don’t Rise

Ray Lamontagne’s latest project might be the most un-Lamontagne album he has done, thus far, even though it’s the first album he has produced for his own self. God Willin’ & The Creek Don’t Rise, his fourth studio LP, was recorded in Lamontagne’s New England cabin with the help of his country, soul-brothers, the Pariah [...] more »

by Kelly Dearmore

Hayshaker

I have to admit bias on this one. When a band can have lyrics like, “Second thoughts have occurred. I feel like a gigantic turd. Walking barefoot like a hooker at 3 in the morning,” I can’t give it a bad review. The truth is these boys from Georgia have unleashed a great album. The [...] more »

by Chip Frazier

Mayer’s Playlist for June & July 2010, Part 1

ALBUMS OF THE MONTH: See You On the Moon, by Tift Merritt I suppose that Merritt could sing the alphabet and I’d listen. There is such a genuine quality to her voice, an infectious spirit. It is a spirit that shines through her music despite the dark overtones of her latest release. “Engine to Turn” [...] more »

by Mayer Danzig

The Back Row Baptists – Broken Hearts & Bad Decisions

Back Row Baptists

If Hunter Thompson were still alive, I think he’d like The Back Row Baptists. First off, you know he’d identify with the attitude of their namesakes, the heathens-in-the-house-of-god thing. More to the point about the music, though, Broken Hearts & Bad Decisions is a dark record. It’s about drinking and driving (although not necessarily together), [...] more »

by Shawn Underwood

The Beauties – The Beauties

Beauties Cover

Every now and then a song just seems to encapsulate a time or a place. It’s usually different for each individual, but there are a few songs that do it for a broad spectrum of people. Think American Pie or Hotel California. Well, the first song on The Beauties self-titled first album, Fashion Blues, kind [...] more »

by Shawn Underwood

Twangville World Premiere! Chris Shiflett & The Dead Peasants: “Bandaged”

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On this day, we dwellers of Twangville have the honor of premiering “Bandaged”, from Chris Shiflett & The Dead Peasants self titled, debut record. The album is out today, and it marks a clear, sonic departure from the sound that has made him an arena-rock fixture as the shredding lead-guitar player for the Foo Fighters. [...] more »

by Kelly Dearmore

Twistable, Turnable Man – Shel Silverstein Tribute

I must admit that I am sick of tribute albums. There is no one left it seems that hasn’t had a tribute album done in their name. In fact, I am waiting for a tribute album to tribute albums. Better yet, I would love to see a tribute album to a band that hasn’t even [...] more »

by Chip Frazier

Shippin’ Up to Boston: A Special Playlist

Bruce-Fenway

I’m fortunate to live in a city that appreciates and supports great music. Here are a few of my current favorites. Banks of the Mississippi, Jenee Hastead (from the self-released Hollow Bones) “Baby, if we could go to the banks of the Mississippi, watch out I’ll float your body out to sea,” sings Halstead in [...] more »

by Mayer Danzig

Shinyribs – Well After Awhile

Shinyribs Cover

“I’m a little bit crazy, but I ain’t no fool.”  Although that’s the chorus for Country Cool, off the Shinyribs debut, Well After Awhile, one suspects it’s a little bit of an autobiographical statement by the driving force of the Shinyribs, Kevin Russell.  Russell is more known as the front man for The Gourds, one [...] more »

by Shawn Underwood

Susan Cowsill – Lighthouse

From the beginning track “Dragonfly,” Susan Cowsill recalls days when she was a kid and youth was full of hope. This uptempo rock song sets a positive mood for the album. Cowsill seems to have recaptures the innocence of youth on lighthouse. The irony of all of this, is the fact her life has recently [...] more »

by Chip Frazier

The Sadies – Darker Circles

For Dark Circles (Yep Roc) the first studio album since 2007, The Sadies once again enlisted the help of Jayhawk co-leader Gary Louris to produce. And, they also employed their signature melange of tight, Bakersfield electrified country, psychedelia, and jamming surf rock. While the Toronto foursome, led by brother Dallas and Travis Good, has racked [...] more »

by Kelly Dearmore

Mayer’s Playlist for Spring 2010, Part 1

ALBUMS OF THE SEASON: Midnight Souvenirs, by Peter Wolf Graceful is the first word that jumps to mind upon hearing Peter Wolf’s latest. That and “what the hell took you so long.” It has been eight years since his last solo album, and Wolf makes up for lost time with an impressive song collection. Although [...] more »

by Mayer Danzig

Screen Door Porch

Screen Door Porch

Todd Snider once advocated a life where you could “pack everything you own in 15 minutes and move on” as a way to collect the stories needed to be a good singer-songwriter.  That philosophy has certainly given Todd plenty of good material.  The duo of Seador Rose and Aaron Davis, in their persona as Screen [...] more »

by Shawn Underwood

Old Settler’s Music Festival – 2010

Bearfoot At the Campground

As the first night of this year’s Old Settler’s Music Festival was just swinging into high gear, the Infamous Stringdusters took the stage.  Andy Falco marched up to the microphone and said, “Wow, feels like we’ve been cooped up all winter”.  That pretty well captured the moment.  They then launched into a version of the [...] more »

by Shawn Underwood

Alejandro Escovedo’s Legendary Conclusion to SXSW 2010 at the Continental Club

The True Believers reunion at the Continental Club, Austin, TX, 3/21/10.  L to R: Javier Escovedo, Hector Munoz, Alejandro Escovedo, Jon Dee Graham

It was two years ago at the unofficial Sunday night South-by closing ceremonies at the Continental Club that Alejandro Escovedo world premiered his then-forthcoming album, Real Animal live and in sequence from the first track to the last. It was a remarkable show, and it proved to be an album that raised Alejandro’s profile considerably, [...] more »

by John Anderson