I got a chance to see some great live music this year, so while we’re all posting our favorite albums of the past year I thought I’d add my 2 cents on the favorite shows I saw.  The World Famous Headliners  OK, admittedly, my ranking here is actually based on two sets I saw them [...] more »

by Shawn Underwood

As it seems to be the case every year, there was way too much good music produced in 2012. I try hard to keep up with new releases, but it is often at the expense of time that would otherwise be spent on my favorites. However, for the purpose of  ”cussing and discussing” here is my [...] more »

by Chip Frazier

There were a lot of songs from 2012 that I enjoyed, but not a lot of albums.  Maybe because I can only listen to so much new music without getting jaded or maybe it is still a time for singles.  Or maybe, just maybe, I didn’t hear your favorite record yet and haven’t been converted.  All of my top [...] more »

by Todd Mathis

Unlike Eli, I struggled to pick my top choices for music last year.  Any one of my top 4 or 5 might have won out at a different time.  That’s an indicator that it was a good year for music though, with a good mix of long-time Twangville and chart favorites as well as some [...] more »

by Shawn Underwood

1. Langhorne Slim- The Way We Move The #1 record of the year is traditionally an easy pick for me to make. This year was no exception. The Way We Move is Langhorne Slim’s definitive statement. The band rollicks from stumbling soul music to acoustic folk rock anthems and finally captures the insane energy of [...] more »

by Eli Petersen

Photos that ROCK! Best of 2012 I am crazy lucky that I get to show up at concerts and take photos of musicians. Here are some of my favorite shoots from 2012, all around Boston. Happy new year! Love Canon @ Club Passim, January 2012 (See my review of their second album here) Mojo Kick [...] more »

by Suzanne McMahon

I posted a best songs list for the first half of 2012 back in July (here). Rather than replicate that list for my full year review, consider this the continuation — the best songs from the second half of the year. Love Changes Everything, Session Americana (from the self-released Love and Dirt) Session Americana wrap [...] more »

by Mayer Danzig

It’s been a great year of music in Boston. I’ve been fortunate to see lots of great local favorites live, from Todd Thibaud to Old Jack to Dennis Brennan to the Rationales. It was also a great year for new Boston music, as evidenced by the fine, fine releases below. SESSION AMERICANA, Love and Dirt [...] more »

by Mayer Danzig

Several of my favorite releases from this year were 5-6 song sets rather than 8-10+ song full-length releases. Here, in no particular order, are a few favorite EPs from 2012. THE VANSADERS, The Vansaders If you like your rock-and-roll raucous and whiskey-soaked, you’ll be hard-pressed to find music better than the Vansaders. I’ll take mine [...] more »

by Mayer Danzig

Most years there is one record that stands head and shoulders above the rest. Things were different this year as three albums vied for the top of my favorites list. I gave up trying to pick one – I’m declaring it a tie. #1 (tie). BRANDI CARLILE, Bear Creek Carlile recorded her latest release in [...] more »

by Mayer Danzig

As we begin to gather our Editors’ Picks for best of the year, we’d love to hear from you first. Throughout the year we host a weekly poll in which you can vote for your favorite new release of the week. From that list we’ve taken the albums that you voted for the most plus [...] more »

by Tom Osborne

Twangville was in the house when the Punch Brothers played a short set at CMT Studios during the Americana Music Conference this past September. A pretty darned impressive performance. more »

by Mayer Danzig

20 favorites from the Summer of 2012. Enjoy! Money for the Weekend (Pocket Full Of Shame) by Alberta Cross A three year hiatus was worth the wait for the now Brooklyn-based band’s sophomore release. Keep Believing by Bob Mould Touring playing full sets of Sugar’s “Copper Blue” alongside a full set of the new album [...] more »

by Tom Osborne

As we wrap up our 2012 AMA coverage, here is a playlist highlighting some of the official showcases. We kick things off with a special treat — Richard Thompson telling an amusing story about Robert Plant. We move quickly into the tunes with Hayes Carll, Jason Isbell and Patterson Hood paying tribute to Levon Helm [...] more »

by Mayer Danzig

One of my favorite things about attending music conferences and festivals is the crazy comments that you hear along the way. Here are a few choice selections. I’m always impressed, and so is my accountant, when someone is able to translate my music. Richard Thompson on other artists covering his songs. He wrote a song [...] more »

by Mayer Danzig