Aug 27, 2010
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 »
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Shawn Underwood
Jul 28, 2010
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 »
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Mayer Danzig
Jul 7, 2010
Man, it’s kinda annoying when you’re watching a movie, hear a kick-ass song during one of the scenes and say, “O.K., I gotta check that out when I get home and see if I can figure out who that song is from.“?? It used to be much more annoying, pre-internet, but now, it’s generally easy [...] more »
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Kelly Dearmore
Jun 7, 2010
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 »
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Shawn Underwood
May 20, 2010
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 »
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Mayer Danzig
May 18, 2010
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 »
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Kelly Dearmore
May 9, 2010
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 »
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Shawn Underwood
May 4, 2010
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 »
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Kelly Dearmore
Apr 2, 2010
Maybe it’s just me, but it seems like there’s a recent trend in the land of Twang to add some of the production values and philosophical, lyrical meanderings of the indie music scene into the roots and country values that have defined Americana. I’m not saying this is bad, or even new; in fact I’d [...] more »
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Shawn Underwood
Mar 25, 2010
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 »
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Kelly Dearmore
Feb 9, 2010
I like a record that grows throughout its playlist. Like a fine wine that starts with a mouthful of fruit, but then spices and oak and earthiness build across the palate for a wonderfully complex flavor. The latest album from Kara Suzanne and her band, the Gojo Hearts, is kind of like that. It starts [...] more »
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Shawn Underwood
Feb 1, 2010
Musical fads are a double-edged sword…or are they a blessing and a curse? Either way, with each new “movement”, whether it be Texas/Red Dirt or Freak-Folk or whatever, we see an influx of artists that, thanks to the artists who initially drew the attention of the masses to a certain trendy style, get to bask [...] more »
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Kelly Dearmore
Jan 12, 2010
For a guy from Dallas, I will admit to feeling pretty lucky about the great music I have available to me throughout the Dallas, Ft. Worth and Denton area, no doubt. I will also admit that I sometimes get twinges of jealousy of the music lovers in my state’s capitol. Austin is obviously home to [...] more »
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Kelly Dearmore
Jan 6, 2010
I came across a few tracks from Quiet Life (Myspace) a while back. I really enjoyed them and looked forward to hearing more sometime. Well, that time has come with the release of their newest EP, California Vacation. As with the last batch of songs I listened to, the tracks here are a fun and [...] more »
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Kelly Dearmore
Jan 4, 2010
2010 is shaping up quite nicely, thank you. Here are ten upcoming releases whose arrival is eagerly anticipated at the Twangville general store. FREEDY JOHNSTON, Rain on the City (Release date January 12th) Has it really been eight years since Johnston’s last album of originals? Johnston’s instrument of choice is an acoustic guitar, all the [...] more »
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Mayer Danzig