You could be doing any number of things this week. For instance, you could be playing superdelegate ping pong in your mind while you watch the latest news coming out of Ohio and Texas regarding who’s hot right now, be it Barack or Hillary (or John). You might also be joining us in mourning the passing of Jeff Healey. Perhaps you’re hosing your computer with the latest torrents from SXSW or NIN. You might even be packing for your trip to Austin (see you there). Regardless of any of these things, what you should know is that there’s a ton of great new music being released this week as we await the start of Langerado and SXSW, the first big music festivals of the year.
KATHLEEN EDWARDS, Asking For Flowers (Zoe/Rounder)
Official Site | MySpace | Stream
This week we feature our favorite Canadian, Kathleen Edwards, with the release of her third studio album ‘Asking for Flowers’ her first in 3 years. Back in 2005 I picked her second album ‘Back to Me’ as album of the year and I have no doubt the latest will be equally as impressive. Rolling Stone calls ‘Asking for Flowers’ her “strongest album yet” which is saying a lot since she was already sporting a high batting average. From what I’ve heard so far, ‘Asking for Flowers’ is the album Lucinda Williams should have made after ‘Car Wheels on a Gravel Road’. Come to think of it, there are many similarities between Edwards and Williams. They both sing songs about love gone wrong, they both do some mean songwriting accompanied by penetrating guitars and they both have last names that are first names of guys. Either way, both are among the greatest roots-rock musicians alive. Do yourself a favor and grab this full album. You won’t be disappointed. File under: Roots / Rock / Folk
Highlights
- MARK PICKEREL & HIS PRAYING HANDS, Cody’s Dream (Bloodshot)
Official Site | MP3*
[audio:http://www.chimehosting.com/bsr/markpickerel/private/file_xfer/CodysDream/Codys_Dream.mp3] - STEPHEN MALKMUS & THE JICKS, Real Emotional Trash (Matador)
Official Site | MySpace | MP3**
[audio:http://www.matadorrecords.com/mpeg/stephen_malkmus_jicks/stephen_malkmus_jicks_baltimore.mp3] - WHAT MADE MILWAUKEE FAMOUS, What Doesn’t Kill Us (Barsuk)
Official Site | MySpace | Stream | Ecard | MP3***
[audio:http://barsukmusic.blaireau.net/WhatMadeMilwaukeeFamous_ResistanceSt.mp3] - BODEANS, Still (Resolution)
Official Site | MySpace | MP3****
[audio:http://audio.sxsw.com/2008/mp3/The_BoDeans-Everyday.mp3] - CHATHAM COUNTY LINE, IV (Yep Roc)
Official Site | MySpace | Stream - FLOGGING MOLLY, Float (SideOneDummy)
Official Site | MySpace | Stream - BLACK CROWES, Warpaint (Silver Arrow/Megaforce/Sony)
Official Site | MySpace - ELI “PAPERBOY†REED & THE TRUE LOVES, Roll With You (Q Division)
Official Site | MySpace - FELICE BROTHERS, self-titled (Team Love)
Official Site | MySpace - JIM BIANCO, Sing (Hotel Cafe)
Official Site | MySpace - STAR ANNA, Crooked Path (Malamute)
Official Site | MySpace - WAIFS, sundirtwater (Compass)
Official Site | MySpace
Also Worth Mention
ALAN JACKSON, ALBERT COLLINS, BLACK 47, CARLENE CARTER, CAROLINE HERRING, DAVID WILCOX, DAWN LANDES, EDDY “THE CHIEF†CLEARWATER, GUTTER TWINS, JACKSON BROWNE, JIM WHITE, JO CAROL PIERCE, LYNYRD SKYNYRD, MEG HUTCHINSON, MICHAEL MCDONALD, MURDER BY DEATH, RUBY SUNS, SMOKIN’ JOE KUBEK & BNOIS KING, WACO BROTHERS, WEINLAND, WHISKEYTOWN and more.
See our Release Calendar for more new releases like these.
Bonus Material
Stuff happening with Twangville and our friendly neighbors.
- Post a comment to win a signed vinyl copy of Jeremy Fisher’s ‘Back Porch Spirituals’. View
- See what Chip has to say about the new American Gun CD. View
- We’re looking for people who love music to help write reviews for Twangville. Learn more about how you can contribute.
* Source: BloodshotRecords.com
** Source: MatadorRecords.com
*** Source: Barsuk.com
**** Source: SXSW.com
About the author: Washington, D.C. area creative by day. Music is my muse. I host Twangville’s weekly Readers‘ Pick.