JAMES MCMURTRY, Just Us Kids (Lightning Rod)
Official Site | MySpace | Preview | MP3*
[audio:http://audio.sxsw.com/2008/mp3/James_McMurtry-Cheney%27s_Toy.mp3]
I never really understood the James McMurtry hype until I saw him live for the first time prior to the start of this year’s SXSW music festival. Outfitted with SIX guitars on this night at Austin’s Momo’s his weapon of choice was carefully selected for each song. As he belts out his penetrating lyrics, he plays guitar with an austere sensiblity and a watchful eye like that of a giant squid sizing up its prey. Through his mastery you begin to see what makes McMurtry so special. His latest record ‘Just Us Kids’ is apparently the first for the newly formed Lightning Rod Records. The first release from this record, “Cheney’s Toy” is being offered as a free download along with a “make-your-own-video” fan contest. You can see one example of a video from the contest above. Be sure and preview the record as it seems this one’s gonna be solid gold. File under: Rock
Noteworthy
- JORDAN ZEVON, Insides Out (New West/Ammal)
Official Site | MySpace | MP3**
Solid debut album from Warren’s son reminiscient of Elvis Costello, Joe Jackson and Fountains of Wayne.
[audio:http://jordanzevon.newwestrecords.com/Music/JordanZevon-ThisGirl.mp3] - TRISTAN PRETTYMAN, Hello (Virgin)
Official Site | MySpace | eCard | iTunes Single of the Week
What’s not to love about the former Roxy model turned songstress shredding up another fine record. - BLACK FRANCIS, Svn Fngrs (Cooking Vinyl)
Official Site | MySpace
Former Pixie, Frank Black (aka Charles Thompson) quickly adds another release under the Black Francis pseudonym after last year’s intriguing release ‘Bluefinger’. - DIXIE BEE-LINERS, Ripe (Pinecastle)
Official Site | MySpace
The Bluegrass Belt cuts another gem with Southwestern Virginia’s Dixie Bee-liners.
More Highlights
A.A. BONDY, AARON ROBINSON, AMERICAN PRINCES, CLAY MCCLINTON, DAVE MC CANN & THE TEN TOED FROGS, DIANNE REEVES, JOHN NELSON, JUSTIN NOZUKA, THE CLASH, WILDERS, YONDER MOUNTAIN STRING BAND and more.
See our Release Calendar for more new releases like these.
Bonus Material
Stuff happening with Twangville and our friendly neighbors.
- Kelly Dearmore (Twangville / Gobbler’s Knob) reviews Griffin House’s new release ‘Flying Upside Down’. View »
- John Anderson (Twangville) highlights his experiences at 2008’s SXSW festival. He’s been a regular a the festival for over a decade. View »
- Todd Mathis (Twangville / American Gun) reviews Jason Isbell’s new live record View »
- Chip Frazier (Twangville / Amber Waves of Twang) reviews George Strait’s ‘Troubador’. View »
- We’re looking for people who love music to help write reviews for Twangville. Learn more about how you can contribute. Be sure and sign up now because soon it will be by request only.
* Source: SXSW.com
** Source: NewWestRecords.com
About the author: Washington, D.C. area creative by day. Music is my muse. I host Twangville’s weekly Readers‘ Pick.