I’ll Be Coming Around, The Bottle Rockets (from the album Bottle Rockets Live in Heilbronn Germany)
While we wait for their forthcoming studio release, the Bottle Rockets tease us with this knock-out live release. Essentially a greatest hits collection, it captures the band in fine form during a tour of Germany last year. This track, from the band’s 1995 classic From the Brooklyn Side, is a perfect power pop confection.
Girl in the War, Josh Ritter (from the album Animal Years)
Ritter establishes himself as one of the leading contemporary singer-songwriters with his latest release. This stand-out contemplates both the religious and secular perspectives of dealing with war.
Daylight, Drive-By Truckers (from the album A Blessing and a Curse)
The Truckers reach for a broader audience with tracks like this haunting ballad. Jason Isbell’s soaring falsetto perfectly captures the anguish of a guy tormented by love.
Happiness is Over-Rated, Susan Cagle (from the album The Subway Recordings)
“Isn’t it true that happiness is over-rated, I try to smile but I can’t fake it.” By recording her debut release in a New York subway, Cagle let’s her songwriting triumphantly stand on its merits, without the studio trickery.
Barfight Revolution, Power Violence, Margot and the Nuclear So and So’s (from the album The Dust of Retreat)
Unique name aside, this band creates a dissonant – and interesting – sound. A typical rock band instrumentation is augmented by a second percussionist, trumpeter and cello player. The combination gives a distinct intensity to the angst-filled songs.
And Your Bird Can Sing, Matthew Sweet and Susanna Hoffs (from the album Under the Covers, Volume 1)
I was rather skeptical about this album but it’s really growing on me. Sweet interjects these classic covers with the same sonic energy that embodied his classic Girlfriend release. Their version of this Beatle’s classic, anchored by Sweet’s tasty guitar and a tempo slightly faster than the original, really cooks.
Hurtin’ Thing, The Yayhoos (from the album Put the Hammer Down)
An alt-country super-group, the Yayhoos kick out the jams on their latest release. I bypassed stellar covers of The O’Jays’ “Love Train” and the B-52’s “Roam” for this Eric Ambel original, a catchy rock song with a touch of country soul.
Black & White New York, Tommy Keene (from the album Crashing the Ether)
Although he established his reputation as a sideman to Paul Westerberg and, most recently, Robert Pollard (Guided By Voices), Keene regularly puts out solo discs. This stand-out, inspired by a photo exhibit on New York, opens with a rousing drum solo that builds into a consistent back-drop to Keene’s catchy guitar riffs.
People Gonna Talk, James Hunter (from the album People Gonna Talk)
Hunter is the real-deal, a spiritual descendent of Sam Cooke. This soulful track sounds like a lost classic from the vaults, except it’s actually a Hunter original recorded in East London.
Mr. Imaginary Friend, Adrian Bourgeois
Dreamy power pop that imagines what would happen if the Beach Boys met XTC. If there is any justice in the world, the un-signed Bourgeois has a tremendous future ahead of him.
Fortunate Son, New Orleans Social Club (from the album Sing Me Back Home)
Ivan Neville leads this loose collection of New Orleans musicians in a simmering take on John Fogerty’s classic political protest song. “And when the band plays ‘Hail to the Chief,’ they point the cannon right at you.” Check out the documentary for scenes from the recording sessions.
Hunger, Nicolai Dunger (from the album Here’s My Song You Can Have It)
Dunger makes his play for the Van Morrison crown. This R&B gem hits all the right notes with Dunger’s rich vocals backed by a pumping organ and horn section.
Safety in Speed (Heavy Metal), P.O.S. featuring Craig Finn of the Hold Steady (from the album Audition)
“The posters in the lobby of the theater called it “Predator”. I called it weak and unwatchable, Carl Weathers and two future governors. Yea, that’s really unacceptable.”
After the Fall, Ray Davies (from the album Other People’s Lives)
Davies reclaims his crown as one of rock’s leading songwriters, packaging social commentary in well-crafted rock track. “We cheat and lie to conquer our fears, we can put on a laugh just to cover the tears.”
The Prettiest Waitress in Memphis, Cory Branan (from the album 12 Songs)
This rousing track incorporates many rock cliches – from hand claps on the chorus to the screech of a guitar pick slid down a guitar string – but pulls it together in a way that works. Branan’s cynicism and lyrical wit shine on this track and throughout his sophomore release.
Ragged Religion, Asa Brebner (from the album Abbey Lode)
Brebner is a Boston music legend, most notable for a sting with Jonathan Richman’s Modern Lovers. On his own, he churns out muscular rockers that benefit from a cynicism garnered from a lifetime in the music industry. This track, a stand-out from his current live release, features one of my favorite lines, “Drink a toast to Romeo, he was god-damn lucky he never married Juliet.”
Sacred Heart, Deadstring Brothers (from the album Starving Winter Report)
Is this song an outtake from the “Exile on Main Streetâ” sessions? The Deadstring Brothers channel the Stones from when they were at their peak.
I Am the Mountain, Damien Jurado (from the album On My Way to Absence)
This is the real emo, a lyric-driven mid-tempo song punctuated by Jurado’s distinct vocals.
We All Lose One Another, Jason Collett (from the album Idols of Exile)
Known primarily for his work with Canadian rock collective Broken Social Scene, Collett quietly releases a solid solo release. The instrumentation and production set this song apart, with layers of piano, violin, banjo and harmonica over a simple but catchy melody.
Something Wonderful, Jon Dee Graham (from the album Full)
Graham’s gruff vocals stands in stark contrast to the unbridled optimism of this song. Graham is an Austin legend who moonlights as a guitarist in the local “supergroup” the Resentments and as a periodic sideman to Alejandro Escovedo.
Burn the Honeysuckle, The Gourds (from the album Heavy Ornamentals)
This is good time music, pure and simple. Austin’s Gourds whip up a blend of country and bluegrass with pinch of rock thrown in for good measure.
Mohammed Ali (and me), Cory Branan (from the album 12 Songs)
“It ain’t braggin’ if it’s true, said Mohammed Ali and me.”
About the author: Mild-mannered corporate executive by day, excitable Twangville denizen by night.