Craig Finn has always had a reputation as an accomplished lyricist. In fact, he is as much of a poet as he is a Rock and Roll musician. His lyrics invoke an emotional connection that is evident as the crowd sings along at Hold Steady gigs. After all, this is the man who weaved the suicide of John Berryman into “Stuck Between Stations”. Not surprisingly, Clear Heart Full Eyes brings Finn’s poetic distinction to the forefront.

To be sure, the front man for Hold Steady has not forgotten the importance of the music. For this project, it tends to be more mellow and introspective, but is powerful none the less. My friend David, who has a daughter that is a budding musician at 13, recently made the point that musicians are sometimes far too serious and afraid to make people laugh. In fact, humor is a quality he is trying to encourage in the music of his daughter (Katie Deter). Humor has certainly never eluded Finn, as shown by the song, “New Friend Jesus”. He also invokes religious imagery often on Clear Heart Full Eyes. Consider this verse from “No Future”:

“I’ve been reading about the Calvary. The crucifixion still gets to me. I guess Golgotham meets the mount of execution. The best advice I got comes from ‘ol John Rotten. He said ‘God save the queen’ no future for you , no future for me”.

Finn is a modern day creative genius, and, Clear Heart Full Eyes is the perfect conduit to display his prodigious creativity.

 1) Roger Waters: I got a chance to see The Wall at the HP Pavilion in San Jose.  Holy cow.  As far as I’m concerned, when you look up the word “spectacle” now it should have a video of this show.  There was the light show that would have been technically impossible back in the 80′s. The 30 foot inflatable nightmare figures (plus the anatomically correct Pig balloon).  The Wall itself.  The explosion at the end.  Even the intermission was a multimedia show with snippets of stories from oh so many fallen soldiers.  It was over-the-top sights and sounds that still managed to have a social conscious.  It’s coming to outdoor arenas this summer–I don’t know if that will ruin the experience or just raise it to a new level, but worth the heart-stopping price of admission to find out.

2) Neko Case: Doing a show at the Mountain Winery in Saratoga, CA, Neko showed that even in a not-particularly-intimate setting a really good performer just draws the audience in.  In addition to the standard fare about why she wrote some of the songs she was also telling anecdotes about the drive to the venue and what they had been doing the day before.  It was like a fabulous performance by a rock star done in your living room for just you and your friends.

 3) The Band Of Heathens: On tour for their latest release, the Band came through Santa Cruz to play at the Kuumbwa Jazz Center.  As usual, the boys from Austin know how to give a live performance.  Lots of their own tunes, sometimes similar to how they sound on the album and sometimes not, along with a sprinkling of covers.  On this night those included Rod Stewart, the Grateful Dead, and Gram Parsons.  Not to mention more cowbell on Medicine Man.

4) Terri Hendrix: Closing the Old Settler’s Music Festival at the Campground, Terri put on a performance that was pure festivarian joy.  She played old songs and new songs and even made up an Old Settler’s rap.  Every outward appearance was that this was the most fun she’d ever had in her life and it was infectious.  The crowd ate it up and it was the perfect end to a music-filled weekend.

5) The Gourds: Also at Old Settler’s, Kevin Russell and his band of merry men closed out Saturday night with a set that had the audience worked into a frenzy.  The stage MC tried to bring the show to a close at curfew time and the band was having none of it.  Sometimes too much is just enough.

So there you have it: my top 5 live sets of the year.  I obviously just get to see a fraction of bands on tour, so please add your favorites to the comments so Twangville readers know who to look out for in their local this year.

 1) R.E.M. – Collapse Into Now

 2) Old Californio – Sundrunk Angels: I keep coming back and listening to this album.  It’s rock ‘n’ roll, and twangy, and a little bit funky.  There are slide guitars and harmonicas, ballads and ditties.  It’s a veritable jambalaya of Americana music.

 3) Suzanna Choffel – Steady Eye Shaky Bow: Choffel, a guitarist as well as singer, manages to put a very jazzy spin on some tunes that are otherwise more country and pop, all while maintaining an Austin sensibility to the production.  Normally when someone says music is hard to classify it’s because the music is all over the map.  In this case, the songs are in a consistently similar vein, albeit not something you hear very often.  Undoubtedly the best Americana album of the year to play for someone who says they don’t like country and twangy.

 4) Gillian Welch – The Harrow & the Harvest: I was a little bit meh about this record when I first heard it.  But it’s grown steadily on me since it came out.  I think what I like most is that it’s so different from just about anything else I heard all year, and yet it’s still so essentially Gillian.  If you just listened to this once or twice and then put it away, go back and listen again 6 months later.  You’ll see.

5) Sons of Fathers – Sons of Fathers: And speaking of great harmonies in the vein of Welch & Rawlings, check out the debut release of David Beck and Paul Cauthen, otherwise known as Sons of Fathers.  These guys have a crack set of musicians behind them and give a vocal performance that is mesmerizing.

6) Milk Drive – Road From Home: Sometimes there’s no substitute for the ability to shred.  Milk Drive consists of members who collectively have probably won more picking awards than any band in existence.  They’ve put a jazz spin on a bluegrass sound and are seriously pushing the envelope of how sophisticated Americana music can sound.  Not to mention that instrumental virtuosity.

7) The Bottle Rockets – Not So Loud: An Acoustic Evening: Just as the unplugged MTV performance by Pearl Jam defined the very plugged-in sound that was grunge, this acoustic performance by a normally loud band shows why they’ve been so successful.  With all the amplifiers stripped out, the songs are still well written and well performed and stand the test of time.

8 The Decemberists – The King Is Dead: Lots has been written about the early 2011 release by one of the darlings of the indie crowd.  For me, this album showed how wide ranging they can be with its twangy influence that simply presents Colin Meloy and his mates in a new light that’s an easy extension to their previous catalog.

9) Dave Alvin – Eleven Eleven: No real surprises here, it’s another solid effort from Alvin who proves that, first, he can without fail drum up a supporting ensemble that’s so incredibly tight you’d swear they’ve played together for years.  And second, he keeps writing songs that convey such a sense of time and place that you’re transported with him to the moment in time so carefully documented in the lyrics.

10) Sarah Jarosz – Follow Me Down: Jarosz’ vocals have gained strength and capability on her second release.  Combine that with mandolin (and other strings) chops that may be the best in Texas even though she’s barely old enough to vote and you have a winner.  She just gets better every time you see her.

11) The Band Of Heathens – Top Hat Crown & the Clapmaster’s Son: I liked this album as a follow up to their two previously acclaimed efforts, but the real reason it’s in the years top was that it provides new material for them to perform live.  You have to catch them in a club to experience the full joy of TBOH.

12) Robert Earl Keen – Ready For Confetti: Another album that’s here because it’s just full of good songs.  Keen has his sound and his fans and no one’s going home disappointed from this.

13) Sinful Savage Tigers – The Last Night Of The Revels: A really solid effort from a group that’s bound to start gaining more notice.  They’re just too good and the tunes too catchy to fall into some regional bucket where they only play for the locals.

14) Great American Taxi – Paradise Lost: Sort of an Americana supergroup, Great American Taxi is a little retro and a little progressive and someone you need to go hear live.

15) Wilco – The Whole Love: The year off did these guys right.  There’s more excitement in this record than I’ve heard from Tweedy & company in a while.

16) Beirut – The Rip Tide: Another good release from one of the kings of the neo-Balkan indie sound.

17) Hayes Carll – KMAG YOYO (& Other American Stories): Carll continues to craft a unique sound and there are some real keepers on this album.

18) The Gourds – Old Mad Joy: Kevin Russell and his band mates have pushed out the boundaries on what most people would consider “Gourds music”, which was a pleasant surprise.

19) Allison Krauss & Union Station – Paper Airplane: Krauss is back into her groove from the rock-royalty side projects and as much as I enjoyed those, this seems to capture her spirit better.

20) The Wailin’ Jennys – Bright Morning Stars: When it’s all about the vocals, you can’t do much better than the Jennys.  Another group I have to recommend seeing live.

#1. JASON ISBELL & THE 400 UNIT, Here We Rest (Lightning Rod)

I’d be lying if I said that I wasn’t hoping for a full-on rock assault from Isbell and crew. What I got was something better — a nuanced musical tour of his home state of Alabama. From the back porch acoustic sway of “Codeine” to his soulful swagger on the Muscle Shoals classic “Heart on a String,” Isbell proves that his musical talent is boundless. (Twangville reviews here and here and here.)

Audio Download: Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, “Codeine”

#2. LYDIA LOVELESS, Indestructable Machine (Bloodshot)

Here’s to a newcomer who established her presence with authority. Her debut burst from the gate with a fire-cracking, rabble-rousing confidence. (Twangville review here.)

Audio Download: Lydia Loveless, “Can’t Change Me”

#3. KASEY ANDERSON AND THE HONKIES, Heart of a Dog (Red River)

This January release has held a steady spot in my musical rotation. Anderson and the Honkies run the table with an outstanding collection of rockers furious and ballads forlorn. (Twangville review here and here.)

Audio Download: Kasey Anderson and the Honkies, “Mercy”

#4. DAVID WAX MUSEUM, Everything is Saved

A potent mix of Appalachian and Mexican folk music makes for one of the year’s most vibrant musical celebrations. “Some of us come with new hearts, most of us come with used hearts, baby, why do you look so sad?” (Twangville review here.)

Audio Download: David Wax Museum, “Born With a Broken Heart”

#5. THE DUKE AND THE KING, The Duke and the King (So Recordings)

Although these songs were technically culled from the band’s two earlier UK releases, they are finally getting a proper US release. I’m not sure what took so long but it was well worth the wait. We’ll call this Americana soul, filled with beautiful harmonies and haunting melodies. (Twangville review here.)

Audio Download: The Duke and the King, “Shine On You”

#6. THE DECEMBERISTS, The King Is Dead (Capitol)

The Portland, Oregon band intentionally shifted away from the song-cycle approach that defined 2009’s The Hazard of Love. Simpler doesn’t mean less striking, as this release gloriously proves. Guests Peter Buck and Gillian Welch are just icing on the cake. (Twangville review here.)

Audio Download: The Decemberists, “Down By the Water”

#7. NATHAN HAMILTON, Beauty, Wit & Speed

Austin, Texas songwriter Hamilton just gets better with age. His latest is filled with songs of lyrical intelligence and musical restraint, delivered in a style that is warm and assured. (Twangville review here.)

Audio Download: Nathan Hamilton, “The Heart That Aches To Open”

#8. BARNSTAR!, C’Mon!

This is how music is supposed to sound, fresh and carefree. These five talented folk and bluegrass musicians serve up engaging covers ranging from the Louvin Brothers to the Traveling Wilburys and from Paul Simon to Neil Young. And don’t miss their brilliant take on Dawes’ “When My Time Comes.” Then, of course, are the handful of originals which more than hold their own alongside the covers. (Twangville review here.)

Audio Download: Barnstar!, “Northern Rail”

#9. BUTCH WALKER AND THE BLACK WIDOWS, The Spade (Dangerbird)

Walker proves yet again why he is the master of melody. He and his crack outfit crank out another collection of sing-along rock anthems. It’s like power pop fueled by a case of Red Bull. (Twangville review here.)

Audio Download: Butch Walker and the Black Widows, “Summer of ’89″

#10. JO WYMER, Living With Scars

Explosive is the best word to describe Wymer and this release. Her voice is strong and forceful, an intensity matched by her crack band. And the songs? Tales of love gone wrong delivered with immensely catchy hooks. What’s not to like? (Twangville review here.)

Audio Download: Jo Wymer, “This Ain’t Love (Love and War)”

#11. CARRIE RODRIGUEZ AND BEN KYLE, We Still Love Our Country (Ninth Street Opus)

Americana has a rich tradition of male-female duets, from Johnny and June Carter Cash to Graham Parsons and Emmylou Harris. Add Rodriguez and Kyle to the list. Their vocals blend magically as they wrap them around this collection of six classic covers and two originals. (Twangville review here, here and here.)

Audio Download: Carrie Rodriguez and Ben Kyle, “Your Lonely Heart”

#12. BUFFALO TOM, Skins (Scrawny Records)

The fact that this Boston-based power trio just celebrated their 25th anniversary (with the same line-up!) would be an impressive enough milestone. Commemorating it with yet another in a long line of raw rock and roll records makes for quite the celebration.

The opening song is Chocolate Cake with its newgrass instrumentation and tight harmonies.  It sets some good expectations for the rest of the album with a well-balanced mix of vocals and tasty instrumental licks.  And yet there’s more than meets the ear when an otherwise upbeat song about finding one’s place in the world ends with an admission that the singer is “looking for something I can believe” and also “looking for something I can betray.”

Most of the songs on the disc have that similar toe-tapping groove of mandolin, guitar, and bass, with some fiddle, harmonica or banjo thrown in.  The lyrics tend to more of a poetic and experiential nature than of the narrative variety.  In addition to Chocolate Cake I’m enamored with End Of The Horse Drawn Zeppelin with its lazy Sunday feel and rat race observation that “everything slow becomes mere scenery”.  Still Waiting In Line is a humorous little ditty that probably has a pretty good story behind it.  The record finishes with Kentucky Steel, a bluesier number that loops back to the beginning of the album and its theme of searching for where you belong.

With their mix of Colin Meloy lyrics and Avett brothers harmonies, Sinful Savage Tigers are a side stage appearance at Coachella or Bonnaroo away from being the next darling of the indie grass crowd.  The Last Night Of The Revels is good primer on their ability and with it you’ll be able to gloat that you knew of them back when.

Beauty, Wit & Speed, by Nathan Hamilton
“Give me the mad ones, the sad ones, the ones who’ve got nothing to lose,” sings Hamilton in “Through Ether and Time” from his latest release. It is a telling comment and a great introduction to an album that deftly explores the search for comfort and contentment in one’s passing years.

“In All That We Might Find” finds Hamilton longing for the past, recalling the excitement to be found in earlier times. “In the age of information the screens of isolation, Bathe us in a cool blue glow,” he reflects, “The network imperfection, the lack of real connection has left us feeling more alone.”

“Fire to Metal” is a haunting reflection on the wound’s left by an ex-lover. A drum beat that echoes a heart-beat starts the song, soon joined atmospheric synthesizers and an acoustic guitar. “There is no greater pain or consolation than the memory and phantom feeling of your touch,” he sings as the song’s musical accompaniment and intensity increase.

The piano and muted trumpet on “Rust of Age” recall a late night jazz club, the perfect feel for the confessional tone of the song. “We all must face our grave mistakes of body, mind and soul,” he sings, “But I believe I’ll take the dirt and leave behind the hole.”

The tempo, if not the sentiment, quickens on “The Heart That Aches to Open.” Electric guitar solos at the beginning, middle and end of the song weave a shimmering melody as Hamilton takes a more assured tone in his quest. Don’t get me wrong, Hamilton is still feeling lonely and alone, but there is a welcome sense of contentment on this track.

Amy Cook joins Hamilton for the slowly burning “Days of Caution.” The song perfectly captures the swirl of emotion between two lovers:

The days of caution rise
And lift themselves to show
Surrender in our eyes
And a hunger in our soul

It is a rare find to encounter an album that commands attention with an alluring blend of intelligence and restraint. Put this one down on that list.

Audio Download: Nathan Hamilton, “The Heart That Aches to Open”

Number Seven, by Will Hoge
Can anyone guess what studio album release this is for Hoge? I thought that you could. Looking at this release in the context of its predecessors shows the evolution of the artist. If the early years were spent as an carefree rocker, Hoge has mellowed and matured over his last few releases. That said, his songs have lost little of their charm and appeal.

“Fool’s Gonna Fly” finds Hoge saying goodbye to a lover. Longtime readers know that I have a sarcastic streak and love a good “kiss off” song, so there should be no doubt that I would enjoy this one:

Shakespeare was a traitor as far as I’m concerned
He wrote a bunch of stories ’bout stuff he never learned
He never loved a woman least not one as mean as you
Romeo would’ve just split town and tried to find somebody new

If “Fools Gonna Fly” is his break-up song, “No Man’s Land” is his ode to falling short in a quest for love. “I count my blessings on the days we get along, but I can count on one hand the days that I do nothing wrong,” he laments. The song becomes a fine bar-room sing-along as Hoge kicks into the chorus, “She’s like a fine wine, I’m like whiskey from a jar…”

“Too Old Now to Die Young” finds Hoge reflecting on the wild years of youth with the perspective of middle-aged maturity. “I loved the pleasure and cursed the pain, oh, foolish things I’ve done, I’m too old now to die young,” he sings while a bristling slide guitar wails.

Hoge slows things down for “Trying to Be a Man,” a tender ballad that chronicles the celebration and tragedy of a young man finding love and family. Vince Gill guests with some solemn acoustic guitar accompaniment for added effect.

While a part of me misses the more raucous songs of Hoge’s early career, it is refreshing to see an artist explore new musical horizons.

Audio Stream: Will Hoge, “Too Old Now to Die Young”

THE PLAYLIST
Midwest Winters, Bradley Wik and the Charlatans (from the forthcoming release Burn What You Can, Bury the Rest…)
“Those midwest winters will suck your soul away,” sings Wik on this song that starts off melodic and brooding before exploding into a cathartic guitar fury. Although he now resides in Oregon, these songs were born from growing up in the Midwest and have the hearty rock feel of that region. Burn What You Can, Bury the Rest… is filled with this heartland rock and roll, rich with tales of hard-working, well-intentioned characters.

Audio Download: Bradley Wik and the Charlatans, “Midwest Winters”

Pine, The Poison Oaks (from the self-released Pine)
What happens when you gather together a large group of Americana musicians in the studio to “experiment”? Apparently you end up with some great pop tunes and performances. Boston-based fiddler Laura Cortese, the cornerstone of this new collective, is joined by a talented group of friends whose musical pedigree includes Crooked Still, The Low Anthem and Josh Ritter’s Band, among others. If this is an experiment than we will call it a resounding success.

Audio Download: The Poison Oaks, “Pine”

Good Luck and True Love, Reckless Kelly (from the No Big Deal Records release Good Luck and True Love)
Austin’s Reckless Kelly have always been a bit of a paradox. The boys established themselves in Austin with songs rooted in the Americana storytelling tradition. Yet the boys clearly live to rock and roll. Don’t believe me? Check out their latest release. Pure rock and roll, Texas style.

Audio Stream: Reckless Kelly, “Good Luck and True Love”

Gimmie Back, 13ghosts (from the This Is American Music release Liar’s Melody)
My recollection of 13ghosts was a band that produced music dark, brooding and demanding. Well, this doesn’t sound like that band. The tempos are faster and the songs are grittier. All the better, I say. As singer-songwriter Brad Armstrong says, “I got my radio tuned to the independent rock and roll station.”

Audio Download: 13ghosts, “Gimmie Back”

The Weight of Changing Everything, Tim Easton (from the self-released release Since 1966, Volume 1)
Easton has blessed us with two albums this year, the first a rollicking rocker and the second an acoustic gem. This track is from the latter release and is a shining example of Easton’s powerful songwriting. In a single song he deftly tackles politics, both personal and national, with a message of positive change.

Nobody’s perfect, nobody should be
Nobody can get it right every day
Maybe you happen to have some answers
Please shine your light to help us spread
The weight of changing everything.

Audio Download: Tim Easton, “The Weight of Changing Everything”

Maybe, Paul Collica (from the self-released It’s Not Me… It’s You)
I’ve always had a musical sweet tooth and this track – and album – is downright cavity-inducing. The guitars sizzle, the bass pounds and the chorus soars. Knowing that Collica recorded all the instruments himself, mostly in his home studio, is just icing on the cake. This is a sonic boom of the best kind.

Audio Download: Paul Collica, “Maybe”

Punchline, The Farewell Drifters (from the Heart Squeeze release Echo Boom)
If you like your bluegrass with a pop sensibility, this just may be the band for you. The instrumentation may say bluegrass, but the vocals and songs have a clean-cut 1960’s pop feel.

Audio Download: The Farewell Drifters, “Punchline”

American Tune, Crooked Still (from the Signature Sounds release Friends of Fall)
The Boston folk quintet celebrate their 10th anniversary with a splendid ep, placing their distinctive stamp on some cover songs and sharing a few originals. This take on the Paul Simon classic is a prime example, with Aoife O’Donovan under-stated vocals accompanied by the band’s sublime arrangement.

Audio Download: Crooked Still, “American Tune”

Message To Ya, Daryl Hall (from the Verve Forecast release Laughing Down Crying)
It’s been seven years since Hall’s last solo release and a few more than that since his last proper release with John Oates. Yet Hall hasn’t been idle, hosting a web series “Live From Daryl’s House“, a cool show that finds Hall hosting veteran and emerging artists for song and conversation. Perhaps those collaborations sparked the creative burst behind fun-loving tracks like this.

Audio Download: Daryl Hall, “Message To Ya”

I Am Trying to Break Your Heart JC Brooks & the Uptown Sound (from the Bloodshot Records release Want More)
It may seem odd for Bloodshot Records, notorious for a roster full of outstanding Americana artists, to sign a soulful old school R&B artist like Brooks. It isn’t, though, when you consider that Bloodshot’s hallmark is music as accomplished as it is authentic. Brooks fits right in when measured against that criteria. His soulful croon, matched with the rich grooves of the Uptown Sound, makes for some potent R&B. And what better introduction then to hear the band’s killer take on this Wilco classic.

Audio Stream: JC Brooks & the Uptown Sound, “I Am Trying to Break Your Heart”

Though mostly acoustic, there is some gritty Rock & Roll, like the Electric Blues on “Lord I Just Can’t Keep From Cryin’”. Another interesting track is “Give the Devil Back His Heart”, which mixes in Native American influences. However, the song that really stands out, and is one of the best songs I have come across this year is the opener, “Beggar in the Morning”. The song is perfectly arranged with poignant lyrics. The song provides a very dark but true picture of how relationships can evolve over time. “Hello I’m a monster too and what poisons me is what poisons you too. Into these animals we grew, but when we were young our eyes were blue”. Although they are veteran musicians, their debut as the Barr Brothers is impressive and full of innovation.

Weather Balloon starts with a few bars of acoustic guitar, then the drums and steel guitar kick in and the song quickly gains altitude.  The first hint of the harmonies to come start when the boys sing about “I want to sit high up in the sky, floating on a weather balloon.”  Next is Out Of Line, with a pop hook that would have made Hall & Oates proud.  That’s followed by Wind Turbines, an interesting stand-in for the idea of being isolated and unsure.  The harmonies on Wind Turbines remind me of Brewer & Shipley, one of my favorite one-hit-wonders from the 70′s.

Bandmates Regan Schmidt on guitars and Dees Stribling on drums provide more than just a backup rhythm section, particularly on the title track and Mother Dear.  And the warmth and cohesion that co-producer Lloyd Maines brings is unequaled.  But you just keep coming back to the harmonies and how Beck and Cauthen so effortlessly envelope you in the moment of the song.  Not content to stick with any particular style or generation they go from a 21st century indie sound on Only For A Day to the 50′s and Jan & Dean on Ruthless.

It’s mid-November and most of the country is hunkered down for winter now.  Sons of Fathers is that last handhold on an icy front porch to grasp and hang on a little longer to the optimism of summer.  It’s close-your-eyes and tap-your-toes, and I suspect it’s going to end up one of my favorite albums of the year.

Listen to these tracks first: Weather Balloon, Ruthless, Adam and Eve

So who are these guys? Mark Erelli is a staple on the folk circuit, known both for his own songs and his work as an in-demand guitar sideman. He’s also got a greatest voice for Americana, with a warm and rich tone possessing the right amount of twang. Taylor and Jake Armerding, father and son, are also regulars on the New England folk scene and play the mandolin and fiddle, respectively. Rounding out the quintet are Charlie Rose on banjo and bassist Zack Hickman, the latter gentleman known for his work with Josh Ritter and a host of other artists. Let’s call ‘em a badass bluegrass quintet.

Among the originals, Erelli offers up “Charlottesville,” a song with an enchanting melody that almost overshadows the tale of a man heading South to find a new life after a failed relationship. “I wish you well, that probably don’t seem like much but we both know its true,” he sings, “of all the ways two people can fall out of love, babe, I never quit on you.” Armerding’s “Northern Rail” hums along like the train it chronicles, punctuated by some impressive solos by all of the musicians. “When you’re running away there, you ain’t gonna be looking back,” he sings in this break-up tale, “I never wanted to do it this way but there was no good reason to stay when the feelings die.”

The covers are a treat. Do you remember “I Think We’re Alone Now” by Tommy James and the Shondells, later recorded by Tiffany? Well, you’ve likely never heard it in this arrangement, with banjo and mandolin leading the charge. The percussive feel of bluegrass lends itself perfectly to Paul Simon’s “Boy in the Bubble” while the Neil Young ballad “Cowgirl in the Sand” gets re-worked with an up-tempo beat and a haunting fiddle solo. Erelli’s voice shines on a brilliant cover of Dawes’ “When My Time Comes,” maintaining the sense of longing of the original and showcases the group’s brilliant harmonies.

The group closes with a take on the Traveling Wilbury’s “Handle With Care.” It is a fitting conclusion that, true to the original, finds each of the five singers taking a turn at the microphone.

Thanks, gents, for sharing this exclusive download from the release.

Audio Download: Barnstar!, “Northern Rail”

THE PLAYLIST
I Hate the World (And Everyone In It), John Shade (from the self-released All You Love is Need)
You know that you’re in for some intelligent and clever songwriting from an artist who takes his stage name from a Vladimir Nabokov novel. Exhibit A is this track, a song that finds the protagonist moving from hopelessness to solace in a scant two minutes.

Well perhaps I’ve had a few too many, but a penny saved is only a penny,
Take a look at the world, it’s an oyster with no pearl, no caviar, no frankincense and mirth.

Cynical, yes, but sharp and incisive.

Audio Download: John Shade, “I Hate The World (And Everyone In It)”

So Easy, The ‘Mericans (from the self-released So Late It Hurts)
There’s an uneasy comfort in the ‘Mericans music. Singer-songwriter Chris Daltry sings with a vocal warmth that recalls Jeff Tweedy, surrounded by harmonies and jangly guitars from the rest of the band. The melodies and lyrics, however, have a sense of wanderlust and abandon. “From here it seems everything’s alright, but I still don’t know where nowhere is,” considers Daltry in a lyric that captures a sentiment reflective of this impressive release.

Audio Download: The ‘Mericans, “So Easy”

Try To Tell Me, The Rationales (from the self-released The Distance In-Between)
I find it humorously ironic that my DC-based comrade Tom brought this release to my attention. Why ironic? Because the band in based in Boston and regularly plays clubs in walking distance from my house. That said, I’m glad that he did. These guys know their way around a power pop hook, serving ‘em up by the barrel with choruses that stick in your head for days on end. Don’t believe me? Listen to this.

Audio Download: The Rationales, “Try To Tell Me”

Living In a Country, Rose Polenzani (from the self-released The Rabbit)
It is hard to get past Polenzani’s voice, simultaneously haunting and enlightening. Once you do, you’ll find an impressive depth to her songwriting. Her latest release is filled with evocative folk melodies, surrounded by rich harmonies and accompanied by a haunting guitar wail on this particular track.

Audio Download: Rose Polenzani, “Living In a Country”

Are You Coming Around?, The Vivs (from the self-released ep Why So Dark?)
Singer-songwriter Karen Harris writes angular pop songs that are perfectly complemented by the dark tone of her voice. Lest the songs sound too sinister, Keyboardist Terri Brosius adds some terrific harmonies to give the songs a polished sheen.

Audio Download: The Vivs, “Are You Coming Around?”

Lights Are Changing, Mary Lou Lord (from the Kill Rock Stars ep Mary Lou Lord)
There was a period in time that one couldn’t travel through Boston without finding Mary Lou Lord busking, mostly on the subway or occasionally a street corner. Lord built an exceptional reputation on the strength of these live performances, one that led to a brief ride down the major label track. Alas, it wasn’t meant to be and Lord retreated from active performing. Twas a shame, really, as she was as likely to champion her favorite songwriters’ material as she was to showcase her own impressive songs. The silver lining? She has recently launched a Kickstarter campaign in support of a new release. Not surprisingly, it will include a mix of originals and covers. I, for one, am eagerly waiting.

Audio Download: Mary Lou Lord, “Lights Are Changing”

Old Mad Joy, by The Gourds
The Gourds latest is a bit deceiving. The band has built a reputation as a bluegrass and backporch country band, but things aren’t always what they seem.

The album open as one would expect. “I Want You So Bad” is built around an accordion and a bouncing beat. “We all know that life ain’t fair,” the band sings, “but we forget it when desire becomes despair,” with the latter line sung in rich multi-part harmony.

But then things start to change. The guitars emerge and the traditional sound fades into the background. “Haunted,” the fifth track on the album, opens up into what could easily become an extended jam. Electric guitars, particularly a steel guitar, glisten as they wander around a classic southern rock riff. A steel guitar and a Southern drawl stand mostly alone as the connections to the band’s roots base.

“Ink and Grief” is a gem, a ballad both tender and bittersweet. Steel guitar and fiddle intertwine beautifully as Kevin Russell plaintively counsels, “when love is gone, carry on.”

“Your Benefit,” the closing track, reaches a pinnacle of the jam-band sound. The song has an angular chorus that is complimented by some great harmonies. The song has, dare I say it, a Grateful Dead feel. Given Jerry Garcia’s penchant for bluegrass, I suspect that the Gourds – and certainly this release – would have had his seal of approval.

Download “I Want It So Bad” here.

The Spade, by Butch Walker & the Black Widows
If there is one thing that is clear about The Spade, it is that Butch set out to have a good time. The electric guitars are a blazin’ right out of the gate on “Bodegas and Blood.” As if removing any doubt about his intentions, Walker sings “It’s days like these that keep me on my winning streak.”

“Day Drunk” raises the festivities to an epic level. The band’s harmonies on the chorus are downright aggressive, daring the listener to not break into an ear-to-ear grin. I know that I couldn’t resist.

“Suckerpunch” finds Walker lamenting a disastrous drunken bar brawl. This being Walker, of course, it crackles with a playful attitude. “I hope I said something really good just before I got suckerpunched,” he sings, “somebody’s fist took my face to lunch.”

Listen closely and you’ll hear some great pop references. “Every Single Body Else” would musically fit well on the “Rocky Horror Picture Show” soundtrack while “Synthesizers” hearkens back to the Dexy’s Midnight Runners classic “Come On Eileen.”

And then there’s “Summer of 1989,” Walker’s play on Bryan Adams’ “Summer of 1969.” In Walker terms, this track took a bit longer than usual to claw its way into my head. By that I mean it took maybe three listens, but now I can’t get it out of my head. The track finds Walker spinning tales of spirited teenage antics, “we would listen to Kiss (with rockets for fists), acting like Saturday’s fools.”

For some extra amusement, Butch and the crew leave some of the studio banter in the mix. You hear them debating the opening riff to “Bullet Belt” and coaching one another mid-song on “Suckerpunch.” The fun is infectious.

My only regret? That it wasn’t released in June as it would have been the perfect summer sunshine soundtrack. Ah well, at least it will bring me back to summer mode for a few fleeting moments.

Audio Download: Butch Walker and the Black Widows, “Summer of ’89″

THE PLAYLIST
Girl on the Beach, Jack Oblivian (from the Big Legal Mess/Fat Possum Records release Rat City)
Memphis rocker extraordinaire could almost rival Guided By Voices’ Robert Pollard in the prolific musician category. It would be easy, and in many cases true, to describe Oblivian’s output as garage rock, but that isn’t a full reflection. That is, in part, why I gravitated to this track from his latest release. The bass-infused pop melody would have been enough, but the addition of banjo, accordion and violin make the song irresistible.

Audio Download: Jack Oblivian, “Girl on the Beach”

Destroy Me, Tommy Stinson (from the Done to Death Records release One Man Mutiny)
Stinson is perhaps best known for the bands with whom he has worked throughout his career, from his formative years as a founding member of the legendary Replacements to his more recent work with Guns N’ Roses. This, only his second solo release, shows that he stands just as tall on his own. The pure emotion of this song as it builds from acoustic introduction to electric rocker is a shot in the gut. And you should buy this album for another reason: Stinson is donating half the proceeds to Timkatec, an organization that houses and educates homeless children in Haiti. Pretty damn impressive.

Audio Download: Tommy Stinson, “Destroy Me”

Never Enough, John Doe (from the Yep Roc release Keeper)
I saw John Doe in concert a few months back and he talked about the inspiration for this song. Listen to the lyrics and you can probably guess – the tv show “Hoarders.” The song reflects Doe’s antipathy toward both commercialism and reality tv. And therein lies the allure in his songs – he marries rough-hewn melodies with lyrics that don’t shy from tough topics, from social commentary to difficult relationships.

Audio Stream: John Doe, “Never Enough”

Na Na Nothing, Mike Doughty (from the Snackbar Records release Yes And Also Yes)
Former Soul Coughing principal Mike Doughty is a songwriter with a distinctive edge. You’ll hear it in his music, usually led by acoustic guitars with a percussive fringe. You’ll also hear it in his lyrics, intelligent and challenging. “Well your man won’t dance but I will, he’s just a cup of punch that you’ll spill, “he tells an apparent former lover, “You got Na Na Nothing, I found out that I’m a chump and you were cold, cold hearted to me.”

Audio Download: Mike Doughty, “Na Na Nothing”

Typhoon, Crooked Fingers (from the Merge Records release Breaks in the Armor)
“There’s a typhoon blowin’,” sings Eric Bachmann against an ominous musical backdrop. It is a potent reminder of the band’s musical prowess. Bachmann’s songwriting is raw and evocative; his voice nearly as expressive as the songs themselves.

Audio Download: Crooked Fingers, “Typhoon”

Sing Your Own Song, John Wesley Harding (from the Yep Roc release The Sound of His Own Voice)
It’s been a few years since Harding’s last album, a period that saw him focusing on Charles Jessold, Considered as a Murderer, his novel release earlier this year. Now returning to music, his latest release is an enjoyable romp from an artist who brings a literary eye to music. This track, the album opener, offers words of encouragement arguably about music but with a deeper perspective. “‘cause if you do what you like and you like what you do, then someone somewhere knows you’re there and the world may come to you.”

Audio Stream: John Wesley Harding, “Sing Your Own Song”

Late Nights with the Power Pop, Matthew Sweet (from the Missing Piece Records release Modern Art)
It’s been awhile since we’ve gotten new music from power popster Matthew Sweet. They say absence makes the heart grow fonder and this case the statement rings true. Even better, Sweet’s latest incorporates all the elements of his classics from sugary pop harmonies to scrappy dueling electric guitars. Ah the sweet sound of electric guitar (pun intended).

Audio Download: Matthew Sweet, “Late Nights with the Power Pop”

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