At a college neighborhood near Boston, Justin Townes Earle seemed a bit different again. He has gone through so many phases in his life and music it’s tough to figure him out. I’ll always yearn for the simplicity of Yuma and his first live performance opening for Ron Sexsmith back in the day. At the […]
The Bottle Rockets at the Center for the Arts
After forming his first band in 1977, alt-country pioneer Brian Henneman could easily say “I’ll Be Coming Around” at some point and he would. After a stint in Uncle Tupelo, and then a lending a hand on Wilco’s debut album, Brian can certainly say he’s had his hand in some pretty influential stuff. But then, […]
Three Tall Pines – All That’s Left
New England may not be the first place you think of for bluegrass, but the Three Tall Pines may have you thinking they’re from much further south. Dan Boudreau and Joe Lurgio give the band a spark in their beautiful songwriting. Each tune feels like it could be out of a one room house from […]
Trampled by Turtles in String Band Paradise
Trad bluegrass they ain’t. But don’t let that turn you off. The boys of Trampled by Turtles can pick a banjo and make a fiddle whine with the best of em. In person, they were just as lively and rocking as bluegrass instruments can be. Dave Simonette’s impassioned vocals and three-part harmonies bring every bit […]
Great Elk – Autogeography
Lush strings, cavernous spaces and 80s style percussion. The first two of those are wonderfully symphonic, but the percussion just doesn’t please the ear. At times Great Elk outgrows the indie Death Cab sound, but at times the band sounds all too much like them. Songs are often light on lyrics, but bigger on atmosphere […]
Justin Townes Earle – Nothing’s Going to Change the Way You Feel About Me Now
One of the most amazing things about Justin Townes Earle is how he reinvents himself on every album. For a singer/songwriter, this truly is a feat, but JT Earle has managed to do it for better or worse on pretty much every album. This time around, he’s managed the biggest turn of his career. And […]
Todd Snider – Live at the Paradise / Agnostic Hymns & Stoner Fables
When I first heard Todd Snider’s tongue-in-cheek brand of roots/blues/rock, I wasn’t quite sure how he’d come out as a live act. Turns out that Todd’s sitcom music entrance is a pretty good way to explain his persona. In his rough-edged bluesy vocals, Todd regaled the audience with humorous anecdotes between witty tunes. As a […]
Josh Ritter – Little Darlings
When songwriters sing of “Darlings,” I can’t help but cringe. I think of the cheesy “darling.” You know, that one you picture in your head from a late-stage Clapton or a young Springsteen. The affectionate term could easily refer to this cute female but in”Bringing in the Darlings” the title actually seems like a more […]
Best Shows of 2011
Top Live Shows of 2011 Gillian Welch at Strathmore, Bethesda, MD As a music fan, I am always looking for the beautiful sonic combination of melody, harmony and that lonesome sound. As a live show, the sonic perfection of the symphony hall at Strathmore with Gillian Welch and David Rawlings was a stunning experience. […]
80s Love Fest
As a twangville writer, I rarely listen to the 80s stations. I can’t stand the production and electronic drums. It’s tough to hear songs by the Boss and Lucinda Williams choked by the little knobs behind the glass. But still, some of those songs are irresistibly fun. They have an undeniable upbeat nature to them […]