With the release of their fourth album the Wrinkle Neck Mules have established themselves as one of the premier roots rock bands. Let the Lead Fly is a bit less electric but rocks just as hard. With the use of banjo, mandolin and pedal steel, the roots move to the forefront on this release. As […]
Two Tons of Steel – Not that Lucky
The band was named after the vintage restored Cadillac owned by lead singer Kevin Geil. This is appropriate considering Not that Lucky is a cruise through the Country and Rockabilly of the 50s delivered with a punk attitude. Two Tons of Steel certainly deliver a fresh interpretation of what a Honky Tonk band should be. […]
Kieran Kane – Somewhere Beyond the Roses
An album doesn’t have to have great lyrics for me to connect with it. A good song doesn’t need to possess deep meaning for me to enjoy it. In fact there is nothing more formulaic and boring than a guy with an acoustic guitar pretending to hold the meaning of life. However, when I come […]
Mindy Smith – Stupid Love
The best way to understand the present state of Mindy Smith’s career is to put that career in the context of how it really began. Mindy Smith was included in an all-star tribute album to Dolly Parton, Just Because I’m a Woman (Sugar Hill, 2003). However, in 2003 Smith was no All-Star, but there she […]
Grant Langston – Stand Up Man
When I first looked at the CD and saw a song called “Shiner Bock and Vicodin†I thought it had possibilities. Then I listened to the song, which featured a naked guy in a wedding, and knew that Stand Up Man couldn’t miss. Then I remembered that Grant Langston was the guy who dared to […]
Ryan Bingham and the Dead Horses – Roadhouse Sun
I often wonder if record labels get stressed when an artist tries to top a great debut. After all sustainability can only be proven over time. Then again such anxiety just comes with the territory. Mescalito established Bingham and had critics crowing about his future. Expectations can be a burden, but Roadhouse Sun reveals a […]
Red Stick Ramblers – My suitcase is Always Packed
The Red Stick Ramblers derive their name from where their hometown, Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Their music is also derived from the cultural influences of their native region. Baton Rouge is located along a corridor that runs from New Orleans to Houston. Consequently the Red Stick Ramblers deliver an eclectic mix of Zydeco, Country, Bluegrass and […]
Webb Wilder – More Like Me
Work hard, rock hard, eat hard, sleep hard, grow big, wear glasses if you need ’em.” This is the Webb Wilder credo. It is a credo that I have lived by since my college days in the late 80s when I first heard Webb Wilder. Back then Webb was doing the college bar circuit that […]
Sara Watkins
When you heard about Nickel Creek prior to their break up most of the focus was on mandolin virtuoso Chris Thile. Although Sean Watkins’ guitar work also collected a following. In fact, Watkins and Thile have had similar solo success. Since they parted ways, Thile has garnered praise with the Punch Brothers and Sean Watkins […]
Willie Nelson – Naked Willie
Many people will tell you it all began back then. What was the “Nashville Sound†in the sixties is now Adult Contemporary with an accent. I don’t know if I totally agree, but there is no doubt that the “Nashville Sound†was the first attempt to put a formula on the music in order to […]