A heavy travel schedule for my day job has kept me from my Twangville musings, not to mention keeping me out of the clubs and record stores. Nonetheless, here’s the long overdue playlist from May and June.
Hammer + Nail, Paul Thorn (from the live cd/dvd So Far, So Good: The Best of the Paul Thorn Band Live)
Former boxer Thorn tells the tale of his bout with Roberto Duran and shares a life lesson for all. “I asked him why he had to knock me out and he summed it up real well, he said, “I’d rather be a hammer than a nail.”
A Stone to Call My Own, The Love Scene (from the ep Blood is the New Black)
I can’t recall how I heard about these guys but I’m damn glad that I discovered them. This is a big ol’ sloppy mess of fuzzy guitars and rough hewn harmonies. Lovin’ every minute of it’!
Notes on Air, Alejandro Escovedo (from the album The Boxing Mirror)
I’ll admit that I’m not overwhelmed by John Cale’s production on this album but it’s hard to ignore Escovedo’s songwriting. Backed by the full Alejandro Escovedo “Orchestra” (strings, electric guitars, rhythm section, etc.), this track captures Escovedo’s essence. An electric guitar opens the track but the strings give the song the necessary weight that Escovedo’s lyrics demand.
It’s Only Life, Danielia Cotton (from the album Small White Town)
I loved this song when songwriter Kevin Salem released it on his classic 2002 album Ecstatic. Daneilia brings the song to new heights with her soaring vocals, ably backed by Salem and many of the musicians who originally recorded the song.
Lazy Eye, Kickbacks (from the album Motel Stars)
I don’t find this album quite as satisfying as 2002’s but it contains some gems like this track. Songwriter Tad Overbaugh has a great sense of melody and uses harmony and uses both to tremendous effect. The harmonizing guitars recalls some of the Eagles finest moments.
Freedom for the Stallion, Elvis Costello and Allen Toussaint (from the album The River in Reverse)
This is the centerpiece of the incredible collaboration. While Costello’s emotional vocal performance is impressive, its Toussaint’s fantastic arrangements that make the song special. The horns and organ riffs, subdued and magical, lend an optimistic weight to this moving ballad.
Nothing Left to Lose, Mat Kearney (from the album Nothing Left to Lose)
Kearney offers up a full album of pleasant acoustic-based pop in the vein of David Gray. The chorus of this song is particularly beguiling as it almost sounds like the melody missed a beat.
Better Than Broken, the Bottle Rockets (from the album Zoysia)
Brian Henneman delivers some of the catchiest hooks and clever lyrics. To wit, “My heart is better than broken, not as good as new.”
Greatest Movie Ending, the Fags
The Fags long overdue album will soon be released but not according to the original plan. Nearly two years after they signed their original label deal they’ve been released from their major label contract, freeing them to release Album Title on Dallas indie Idol Records. This track, expected on the release, is typical Fags: loud sonic guitars, a catchy chorus and lyrics dripping with sarcasm. My kinda music.
Kill the Poor, Matthew Grimm and the Red Smear (from the album Dawn’s Early Apocalypse)
Grimm established his reputation with New York’s late great Hangdogs. Now relocated to Iowa via Minneapolis, he’s back with a roadhouse scorcher. Grimm packs his songs equally with cynicism, leaving no doubt about his political perspectives. And I always thought of the Midwest as being predominantly red states…
Steady as She Goes, the Raconteurs (from the album Broken Boy Soldiers)
What do you get when you combine Jack White’s country and blues influences with Brendan Benson’s pop sensibility? You get this rough-hewn rock track.
All She Ever Wanted, Dirty Truckers (from the album Washed and Ready)
I guess I’m going through a garage rock phase. The Dirty Truckers are a Boston outfit that conjure up memories of fraternity basement parties, greasy guitars and rock and roll debauchery. I mean that in a good way, of course.
Followed Her Around, Jimmy Rankin (from the album Song Dog)
The best pop songs combine two key elements, a memorable melody paired with intelligent yet simple lyrics. Exhibit A is this rootsy foot-tapping tale of a man reflecting on his mis-steps in his quest for love: “Everybody’s got a hunger and a seed they gotta show I should have listened to my mother when she cried ‘No child no, son get your feet back on the ground, don’t go follow her around'”.
Get Off, Dave Aaronoff
This song – and most of Aaronoff’s output – perfectly captures the pub rock era of Nick Lowe and early Elvis Costello. “If you can’t fall in line then get off.”
I’m Ready, Twilight Singers (from the album Powder Burns)
Greg Dulli, late of the Afghan Whigs, continues to hit his stride with the Twilight Singers. The formula hasn’t changed but the quality remains intact. Late of Cincinnati’s Afghan Whigs, Greg Dulli now spends his time in LA and New Orleans, where several of these tracks were conceived. A rock anthem punctuated by a staccato piano beat, Dulli’s emotion-twinged vocals anchor this song of longing.
Dullsville, Novaks (from the album The Novaks)
Hailing from the musical hotbed of eastern Canada, the Novaks offer up a Canadian version of heartland music. The band channels Tom Petty with a touch more alternative edge. This track, in particular, echoes Petty’s “Jammin’ Me.” Not a bad thing indeed.
Graduation Day, Head Automatica (from the album Popaganda)
From the guilty pleasure category comes this top 40 rock track with the ultimate pop chorus. Was it the band or the marketing team that decided that this would be a great June single?
Six Feet Deep, Sarah Borges (from the album Silver City)
After seeing Borges blow the roof of a club recently, I returned to her 2005 release and this knock-out track. Against a steady blues beat and a wailing slide guitar, Borges tells a cautionary tale to a man who wronged her. Note to self: don’t mess with Borges.
Nothing to Say, Matthew Grimm & the Red Smear (from the album Dawn’s Early Apocalypse)
“You know all those pretty words you waited for some boy to tell you, you damn sure won’t hear them from me. I’m insensitive and surly, full of liquor, wings and rage, farthest thing from some prince charming down on bended knee.” Another rock and roll romantic…
Here’s Looking at You, the Fags
“You know where the door is, don’t let it hit you from behind. I know where the floor is and I’ll lower that bar in record time.”
About the author: Mild-mannered corporate executive by day, excitable Twangville denizen by night.