We’re chock full of goodies today celebrating the US release of Butch Walker’s Sycamore Meadows. The title comes from the name of the street where Walker was living in Malibu when wildfires swept through Southern California in late 2007. Walker lost everything in the fire. Everything, that is, but his spirit. [...] more »

Tue, Nov 11, 2008 | 5 Comments

Dar Williams cranks it up a notch on Promised Land, her latest release. Returning from a three year recording hiatus Williams transforms her folk roots into a more pop-oriented sound. Lead-off track “It’s Alright” is a great example: a happy-go-lucky melody highlighted by William’s bright lyrics and gentle voice. As if to [...] more »

Wed, Oct 22, 2008 | 6 Comments

In my mind, there is no denying that The Grateful Dead is a classic, iconic American band. In my opinion, the Dead represented a true alternative to mainstream rock of the 60’s and 70’s and were in the forefront of blending rock, country, funk and even jazz into a concoction that few people knew what [...] more »

Thu, Oct 09, 2008 | 16 Comments

I’ve always had mixed feelings about music in commercials. For many of us, songs often become connected with certain personal feelings and experience in our lives and it is a bit jarring when a commercial suddenly associates it with something totally different. On the other hand, commercials can be a lucrative source of income and [...] more »

Thu, Sep 25, 2008 | 2 Comments

It’s Such A Sad, Sad World Who you might say? That’s what I thought when I first saw this name pop up over at the “B” Side, Red Kelly’s excellent blog. These days the net is swarming with Internet publications, blogging is so easily accessible that anybody with a half functioning computer can work it out. [...] more »

Thu, Sep 11, 2008 | 0 Comments

Hey guys, I am getting ready to head to the ACL Festival in a couple of weeks. I have quickly put together a rudimentary schedule for the bands I want to see. I may have left some stuff out, so let me know what you think!! KELLY’S TENTATIVE ACL FEST SCHEDULE more »

Thu, Sep 11, 2008 | 13 Comments

ALBUMS OF THE MONTH: Sunshine Lies, by Matthew Sweet “’cause we’re already good and we’re already evil, unfazed by a world of constant upheaval,” sings Matthew Sweet on “Let’s Love” from his latest release. It’s a moment that carries meaning beyond the song’s intended topic. In the nearly fifteen years since Sweet’s seminal [...] more »

Mon, Sep 08, 2008 | 2 Comments

With all due respect to all the excellent comments of moonlighting band members (see below for the full list), the best of the bunch went unmentioned. To wit I submit Steven Van Zandt. After building a reputation as a member of Bruce Springsteen’s E Street Band, Van Zandt unleashed his criminally-overlooked solo debut, Men Without [...] more »

Fri, Sep 05, 2008 | 4 Comments

For some artists, just being in one band is not enough. The creative juices run free with these folks and they crave the outlets for release. Put Albert Hammond, Jr. in this category. Not content with a new release every two to three years with the Strokes, Hammond has just released his second [...] more »

Thu, Aug 21, 2008 | 7 Comments

The residents of Twangville have spoken! Here are some of your favorites from the first half of the year. The Band of Heathens, The Band of Heathens Hayes Carll, Trouble In Mind Drive-By Truckers, Brighter Than Creation’s Dark Justin Townes Earle, The Good Life Kathleen Edwards, Asking for Flowers Elbow, Seldom Seen Kid Eleven Hundred Springs, Country Jam Alejandro Escovedo, Real Animal Fleet [...] more »

Wed, Aug 06, 2008 | 2 Comments

We at Twangville have been fortunate to hear some great music in the first half of ’08. I polled the crew on their favorites are here are the results: Todd: Hayes Carll, Trouble in Mind (read more) Chip: Drive-By Truckers, Brighter Than Creation’s Dark (read more on this album and Chip’s full list) Tom: [...] more »

Mon, Jul 14, 2008 | 14 Comments

Ryan Adams. Gillian Welch & David Rawlings. Conor Oberst. Cory Branan. These are names that are thrown around a lot when you are talking about modern day singer-songwriters. What if I told you there may be someone not just like them, but better? Anthony DaCosta might just be. About 3 hours ago, my brother handed me [...] more »

Wed, Jul 09, 2008 | 0 Comments

Wednesday is apparently the national night for musical residencies. In KC you’ve got Walkenhorst while in Austin you can regularly catch Jon Dee Graham AND James McMurtry. I’m lucky to live in Boston where most Wednesday’s I can catch Dennis Brennan, usually with special guest former J. Geils Band singer Peter Wolf joining [...] more »

Thu, Jun 19, 2008 | 5 Comments

Imagine a soul band playing CBGB’s and you’ll have a sense of the Prayer’s sound. The Brooklyn-based group serves up a potent blend of soul and hard rock that will get you dancing until you collapse from exhaustion. Opener “I Like It” sets the tone with a smoldering intro that builds into an angst-ridden beat. [...] more »

Thu, Jun 05, 2008 | 0 Comments

The Band of Heathens has been gracious enough to provide Twangville with a couple of copies of their soon to be released album to give away. Just leave a comment to this post about the Heathens. Refer to my previous post in which I reviewed the album. Then check back on 6-8 when we will [...] more »

Sun, Jun 01, 2008 | 14 Comments