Twangville


Alternative

Green Corn Revival – Say You’re A Sinner

GCR back cover

Never underestimate the imagery a good audio track can create. Fifteen seconds into the opening song of Green Corn Revival’s first full length effort, Say You’re A Sinner, all I could think about were Sergio Leone’s spaghetti westerns. Part One, as the track is called, is an avant garde country number with soaring background harmonies [...] more »

by Shawn Underwood

The Constellations – Southern Gothic

The Constellations

Down in the dirty, dirty south there’s a new band hitting the scene that’s about to change everything. Atlanta is probably one of the unlikeliest places you’ll hear this particular brand of freakadelia. The South has always had a sordid tale to tell and it’s been told many times over. This time around the storyteller [...] more »

by Tom Osborne

Angie Mattson – Skeleton Arm

skeletonarmcoverfinalsm2

The latest effort from Angie Mattson, an EP entitled Skeleton Arm, starts with the sound of insects and jungle drums.  That first song, Bravery, equates the sacrifices needed for love with bravery and sets a kind of “always hunting” mentality that exists throughout the project.  At the same time, there’s an undercurrent of the caged [...] more »

by Shawn Underwood

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

Kiss This! Kissaway Trail GIVEAWAY!

The Kissaway Interview – NYC from Ryan & Rob on Vimeo. Hailing from Denmark, the guys of The Kissaway Trail , have put together an insanely rocking record that is catchy without sacrificing substance. Recently released here in the U.S., Sleep Mountain, contains gems that burst with an energy that will likely bring to mind [...] more »

by Kelly Dearmore

Twangville Town Hall: Heaven is Whenever – The Hold Steady

HS2

For the posse here at Twangville, it’s always fun to sit around and shoot the breeze as we discuss our favorite new releases. Some of them, like the recent album from the Drive By Truckers, deserve a bit more attention, sometimes. The Hold Steady (Official / Myspace) is one of our favorite acts ’round these [...] more »

by Kelly Dearmore

SXSW 2010: The Sounds

Buddy Miller I’ve got a simple rule of thumb: don’t miss a solo Buddy Miller show. Miller’s work with artists ranging from Robert Plant to Solomon Burke to Patty Griffin overshadows his own recordings with his wife Julie. It’s a shame, really, as Buddy and Julie are simply brilliant. Whether playing country, blues or a [...] more »

by Mayer Danzig

Tumbledown into Punk Country

l_08ac6ce5f0b049c68e554848b68b14fd

There are still many a music fan out there that doesnt quite get where the roads of punk and country or folk meet. For those that do “get it”, it isnt hard to draw a straight line that connects the spirits of Woody Guthrie and Joe Strummer. While the sonics of the two genres can [...] more »

by Kelly Dearmore

Mayer’s Best of 2009 (the songs), Part 1

Give Me Tomorrow, Willie Nile (from the River House Records release House of a Thousand Guitars) Nile’s eternal optimism reigns supreme, most notably on this spirited testament to change and opportunity. “I’ve seen poison in the waters, heard the crying of the sea, I have heard your sons and daughters say what’s to become of [...] more »

by Mayer Danzig

Kelly’s Top 25 for 2009

In year’s past, I haven’t done much a personal “Best-Of” list at year’s end. I have left that up to others, mainly due to the stress level inherent with such a task. This year, I contributed a list to multiple outlets, so I figure I would share my ballot with you here. What you see [...] more »

by Kelly Dearmore

Danny Barnes – Pizza Box

pizzabox-coverart-325

I miss John Hartford.  He had a rare combination of incredible musicianship, a sly sense of humor, and an unmatched story-telling ability.  The result were songs that were fun: fun to listen to, fun to sing along with, and no doubt fun to perform.  There’s a lot of that fun in Danny Barnes’ latest release, [...] more »

by Shawn Underwood

Robert Francis – Before Nightfall

RobertFrancis_cover_final

E pluribus unum. It’s on our dollar bill. From the many, one. Robert Francis, at the age of 22, has seemingly melded many disparate facets of American rock/folk/country into a tasty music stew. Pedal steel, piano, guitar, and vocals (to name a few) come together in classic fashion. Francis’ hooks are like that delicious secret [...] more »

by Jeff McMahon

Slipping Through the Cracks 2009 (Round Up and Downloads)

All these records came out this year and have been piling up on my digital nightstand.  They’re all good too.  Enjoy the downloads, graciously provided by the artists/labels involved. Zach Seibert & the Red Wagon An Americana dream of atmospheric folk and country inspired rock and roll, Learning to Drown is Zach Seibert’s first real [...] more »

by Eli Petersen

Lucero- 1372 Overton Park, GIVEAWAY!

Critics often throw around the title “best American rock band”, usually in relation to outfits like the Drive-By Truckers, My Morning Jacket, or Wilco.  Who am I to disappoint?  So I’ll say it, 1372 Overton Park is Lucero’s entrance into that league.  It’s a straight up American rock and roll classic and I dare you [...] more »

by Eli Petersen

Reader’s Pick: The Bear by Stephen Kellogg & the Sixers

Twangville readers picked ‘The Bear’ by Stephen Kellogg & the Sixers as their favorite release for week of September 8, 2009. With their fifth full release the SK6ERS solidify what they’ve always done well… plain-and-simple rock-n-roll! Chock full of layered instrumentation and pop hooks The Bear should be a recipe for how to produce a [...] more »

by Tom Osborne