The new album from J. Mascis, Several Shades of Why (Sub Pop), is a thoroughly predictable affair. But wait, that doesnt mean what you may think it does. It should be of little shock that Mascis’ laconic, and iconic, delivery is indeed tailor-made for an album comprised of primarily acoustic arrangements. But, given that Mascis […]
SXSW 2011: The Scene, Part 1
For me, the true harbinger of spring is the arrival of the SXSW Music and Media Conference in Austin, Texas. Or rather, spring begins for me when I arrive in Austin for SXSW. With upwards of 2,000 bands and 13,000 attendees, SXSW is the world’s premiere music conference. Even better, it is one heck of […]
Monday Morning Video: Alejandro Escovedo is Sad and Dreamy
I was reminded about this song while having a conversation about childrens music with a few day-job colleagues several weeks ago. As the story goes, Alejandro Escovedo and Mike Fracasso led a songwriting seminar for a group of students at the Ziker Elementary School in South Austin, Texas. From Escovedo: [The boy] thought deeply for […]
Brian Wright’s on Fire
Now, I’ll be honest: I still haven’t made my way completely through Brian Wright’s new Sugar Hill album, House on Fire. It’ll be released next week, but what I’ve heard thus far, I really like. See for yourself with these two videos. One shows the softer acoustic side, while the one below it displays a […]
Tom’s Picks: Best of Winter 2011
My favorite albums from the Winter of 2011. Links will lead you to Twangville reviews. Also, be sure and check out the video companion below. Enjoy! Top 10 THE DECEMBERISTS, The King is Dead [★★★★★/4.700]Album number 6 for the Portland, OR based group. A slight departure from previous concept albums featuring cameos by Peter Buck […]
Eddie Spaghetti – Sundowner
In what is shaping up to be the label roster of the year, Bloodshot has released another trademark, insurgent country gem. Eddie Spaghetti, the leader of infamous Seattle group the Supersuckers, stepped away from his buds of over 20 years to craft Sundowner, an album that might have a bit less venom, a tad more […]
Monday Morning Video: Dave Alvin
The arrival of new music from Dave Alvin has sent me scurrying through his impressive back catalog. Here is “Haley’s Comet,†one of my personal favorites from Alvin’s seminal outstanding solo release Blue Blvd. “Do you know who I am,†said Bill Haley in a pancake house near the Rio Grande; the waitress said “I […]
Natalia Zukerman – Gas Station Roses
I really struggled to put into words why I like the latest release from Natalia Zukerman, Gas Station Roses. When I would write down notes on the songs they ended up best summarized by thoughts like “pleasant”, or “comfortable”. But when you put those in a review, it comes off as damning something with faint […]
Monday Morning Video: Jon Dee Graham is “Beautifully Broken”
In honor of this week’s SXSW Music Conference, here is John Dee Graham performing “Beautifully Broken.” No trip to Austin is complete without catching a set by the Bard of Austin. If you like what you hear, Graham is offering a full live album (recorded at Austin’s Saxon Pub) as a pay-what-you-like download. Check it […]
The Civil Wars – Barton Hallow
The benefits of landing a tune on a prime-time drama can obviously be plentiful, and make no mistake, The Civil Wars, a duo out of Nashville have certainly been reaping those riches in the form of monumental buzz and sold out club shows all over the country. Of course, the side of that which isnt […]