“Just us doing our Stonehoney thing,†is how this Austin quartet describes their latest release. Recorded live in the studio – with no overdubs or studio magic – the album bristles with an energy and authenticity that is truly refreshing. Each of the four singer-songwriters has a distinct character yet together they create a singular […]
Regrettably Overlooked: Albums I Missed in 2009
I listened to a lot of music last year. Inevitably, a few fell through the cracks. Here’s a few of those “better late than nevers”. Enjoy. DAVE MATTHEWS BAND, Big Whiskey And The GrooGrux King [★★★★/4.230] I didn’t expect to like this album as much as I did. For me, DMB had mostly run their […]
Leeroy Stagger- Solo Acoustic Vol. 1
Leeroy Stagger Solo Acoustic Vol. 1 is exactly what it’s advertised as. It’s just Leeroy: guitar, voice, and harmonica. Of the 15 tracks all but 3 have been previously released. The songs are presented here in stark simplicity, often in great contrast to their original versions. In summation, this album all but proves what I’ve […]
The Beauties – The Beauties
Every now and then a song just seems to encapsulate a time or a place. It’s usually different for each individual, but there are a few songs that do it for a broad spectrum of people. Think American Pie or Hotel California. Well, the first song on The Beauties self-titled first album, Fashion Blues, kind […]
Twangville World Premiere! Chris Shiflett & The Dead Peasants: “Bandaged”
On this day, we dwellers of Twangville have the honor of premiering “Bandaged”, from Chris Shiflett & The Dead Peasants self titled, debut record. The album is out today, and it marks a clear, sonic departure from the sound that has made him an arena-rock fixture as the shredding lead-guitar player for the Foo Fighters. […]
The Duchess and the Duke- Sunset / Sunrise
The Duchess and the Duke are a Seattle based band signed to a Sub Pop subsidiary. Though they mine the same atmospheric Americana well as the Band of Horses, unlike their former Seattle brethren, they approach Americana from more of a Johnny and June perspective rather than the Neil Young-MMJ. But that’s not say that […]
Peter Gabriel, Billy Bragg and Mike Mills Lend Their Voices
Does anyone remember the childhood game “Telephone?†A group of people pass a whisper from person to person and see how the whisper changes as it moves through the group. The Voice Project is like a musical version, but better. One musician covers another, hopefully inspiring the covered artist to continue the chain. The project […]
Twangville Time Machine: Galaxie 500
Man, it’s kinda annoying when you’re watching a movie, hear a kick-ass song during one of the scenes and say, “O.K., I gotta check that out when I get home and see if I can figure out who that song is from.“?? It used to be much more annoying, pre-internet, but now, it’s generally easy […]
Twistable, Turnable Man – Shel Silverstein Tribute
I must admit that I am sick of tribute albums. There is no one left it seems that hasn’t had a tribute album done in their name. In fact, I am waiting for a tribute album to tribute albums. Better yet, I would love to see a tribute album to a band that hasn’t even […]
Todd’s Mid-Year Review
So here it is halfway through 2010 and I’m in (mostly) a rock and roll mood. Here’s what has been blasting my speakers of late: The Hold Steady/Heaven is Whenever: The band just keeps getting better with each release still kickin’ out the positive jams with more conviction and enthusiasm as ever. And there are […]