From “Carried To Dust” – out on Quarterstick Records (9/09/08). CALEXICO, Carried To Dust (Touch & Go) Official Site | MySpace | Samples (Amazon) One of the best blends of Mexican and Texas/Arizona soundscapes you’ll hear, Calexico is back. This is classic convertible Ford Mustang driving through the desert music. Picture giant cacti zooming by […]
Bruce Robison + More, Releases 9/2
Bruce Robison performing “She Don’t Care” at Scholz Beer Garte, Austin 8-13-08 BRUCE ROBISON, The New World (Premium) Official Site | MySpace | Samples (Amazon) The most disappointing thing about this album is that there are only ten tracks. This is perhaps a countrier version of something Peter Case would put together which makes it […]
Matthew Sweet + More, Releases 8/26
Acoustic version of “Byrdgirl”; the first single from Matthew’s new album “Sunshine Lies” available August 26th, 2008. MATTHEW SWEET, Sunshine Lies (Shout! Factory) Official Site | MySpace Long awaited, long anticipated return to grace from one of the most gifted singer/songwriters from the 90s. Its hard not to look at this album with high expectations […]
Win Big! Albert Hammond, Jr.
For some artists, just being in one band is not enough. The creative juices run free with these folks and they crave the outlets for release. Put Albert Hammond, Jr. in this category. Not content with a new release every two to three years with the Strokes, Hammond has just released his second solo album […]
Donavon Frankenreiter + More, Releases 8/19
Donavon Frankenreiter, “Life, Love & Laughter” DONAVON FRANKENREITER, Pass It Around (Lost Highway) Official Site | MySpace | Samples (Amazon) What can I say? I’m a sucker for jangly surf rock. The Laguna Beach musician recruits Ben Harper (“Pass It Around”), G. Love (“Sing a Song”) and Grant Lee Phillips (“Mansions in the Sand”) among […]
Drive-By Truckers vs. The Hold Steady
Residents of Twangville rejoice: here comes the Rock Show! The Hold Steady and The Drive-By Truckers have joined forces to bring you what should be the tour of the year. The “Rock and Roll Means Well Tour” is coming to a theater near you this fall. In the meantime, see a small taste of what’s […]
Wolfmother No More?
News that 2/3rds of the Australian band Wolfmother “resigned due to longstanding frictions” reminded me of this classic interview with Mike Patton, the idiosyncratic American musician and former lead singer of Faith No More. Oh, in case you were worried, Singer/guitarist Andrew Stockdale plans to find new musicians and soldier on.
Murry Hammond + More, Releases 8/12
Old 97’s Gruene Hall Murry Hammond Valentine MURRY HAMMOND, I Don’t Know Where I’m Going But I’m On My Way (self) MySpace Already a key player on one of the best albums of the year (Blame It On Gravity) as the bassist for the Old 97’s, Hammond takes a more spiritual route with his solo […]
Isaac Hayes, 1942-2008
We’ve lost another soul legend with the passing of Isaac Hayes today. In his early years Hayes and songwriting partner David Porter were the force behind many Stax soul hits, including several of Sam & Dave’s greatest hits (“Soul Man” and “Hold On I’m Coming” to name just two). Hayes launched a solo career in […]
Your Favorites in 2008… So Far
The residents of Twangville have spoken! Here are some of your favorites from the first half of the year. The Band of Heathens, The Band of Heathens Hayes Carll, Trouble In Mind Drive-By Truckers, Brighter Than Creation’s Dark Justin Townes Earle, The Good Life Kathleen Edwards, Asking for Flowers Elbow, Seldom Seen Kid Eleven Hundred […]