Austin Collins is an artist on the rise. His previous release Roses are Black received a lot of critical praise. With the release of Wrong Control on March 2nd, music fans will no doubt take notice. Along with his band the Rainbirds, Collins is delivering a more rocking twist to accompany his excellent songwriting. The album [...] more »

by Chip Frazier

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 »

by Shawn Underwood

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 [...] more »

by Kelly Dearmore

I can’t think of a better way to end this week than to help spread the news on a new release from none other than the Texas Tornados. You will be hard pressed to come up with a band that is more representative of what many consider to be true “Texas Music”. Esta Bueno (Bismeaux Records), [...] more »

by Kelly Dearmore

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 »

by Kelly Dearmore

If you’re a frequent Twangville reader you know by now I’m an unabashed live music aficionado.  I usually manage to see 30 or more live acts a year, so in addition to the top records of the year I have to add my view to the best live sets I saw. #9 Michelle Shocked.  Many successful [...] more »

by Shawn Underwood

As you’ve no doubt figured out, in addition to the collective top 20 albums of ‘09, each of us is sharing our own spin.  So here’s my perspective on the best of the year. 1. Dave Alvin & the Guilty Women – eponymous: Perhaps my opinion is colored by having seen a couple of stellar [...] more »

by Shawn Underwood

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

#1. LUCERO, 1372 Overton Park (Republic/Universal) The former residents of 1372 Overton Park in Memphis let loose a potent blend of classic rock anthems and horn-infused Southern soul. Fueled by singer-songwriter Ben Nichol’s gritty vocals and filled with lyrics about whiskey-filled nights and the mornings after, this one is a barnburner. (Twangville review here [...] more »

by Mayer Danzig

The Winner is… Tis the season… The best of lists are coming out in force. The Twangville eitors list just came out and now it is time for us in “The Posse” to reveal our individual lists. I am going first because I am the best looking. In my mid-year list, Buddy and Julie were on top, [...] more »

by Chip Frazier

Man, I’ve got some catching up to do. A heavy travel schedule has kept me from my monthly playlist duties. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve had the pleasure to visit some impressive places. Even better, I’ve had plenty of great new music to keep me company along the way. Well, its time to [...] more »

by Mayer Danzig

With several great albums that draw heavily on southern-rock swagger having been released by bands such as Drive By Truckers and Lucero recently, I figured I was fried for a while when it came to these types of sounds. With that said, I was pleasantly surprised when I found myself enjoying the new record by [...] more »

by Kelly Dearmore

While many of us blogger-types are trying to figure out what our favorite releases of 2009 are, I have been enjoying what would’ve been one of my favorite records from 2008. Mac Leaphart’s (Official / Myspace) 2008 release, Line, Rope, Etc… is an excellent album, consisting of some country-flavored folk that mixes in dashes of [...] more »

by Kelly Dearmore

Seventy years.  That’s right, this year marks the seventh decade the Blind Boys of Alabama have been performing.  Sure, the personnel have undergone some changes in that time, but one of the original members, Clarence Fountain, still tours with them as his health allows.  What’s more, they’ve never been as relevant to the current music [...] more »

by Shawn Underwood

Many great artists produce music that is inspiring without being technically gifted vocalists. Kris Kristofferson and Ryan Bingham have produced two of the year’s best albums while displaying vocals that few would term “smooth”. The largely acoustic solo debut from Curtis Harvey (Myspace), Box of Stones (FatCat), successfully showcsaes the same ability to move the [...] more »

by Kelly Dearmore