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 […]
Wrinkle Neck Mules – Apprentice to Ghosts
The Wrinkle Neck Mules are back again, but this time with a little bit of help from a celebrity Gecko. (Down South we think that is just a fancy name for a Lizard, but I digress.) The song “Central Daylight Time†is straightforward Honky Tonk and apparently the folks at Geico liked it so much […]
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 […]
Ustream Live Event! With THE MASTERSONS!
Live Video streaming by Ustream Check out our Live Ustream event with The Mastersons! The event is scheduled to start at 2:30pm EST with a live interview and, if we are lucky, a live performance. If you have any questions for The Mastersons, email me at eli@twangville.com or comment below.
The Acoustic Burgoo – Word.
If the saying “variety is the spice of life” is true, The Acoustic Burgoo is the equivalent of my grandmother’s cooking drawer. Â There was a lot of cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla, and other baking flavors for a comforting dish. Â There were plenty of herbs for savory dishes, and some pepper for bite. Â And a couple of […]
Sons of Bill- Sirens
“I heard those sirens singing on FM radio, and darlin’ they won’t let me goâ€- James Wilson “Siren Songâ€. Amen brother. I can only assume that one of those sirens on FM radio were The Replacements, as they seem to be the biggest new influence on Sons of Bill. Whether it’s the production of David […]
Lucero- Women & Work
Ok. Full disclosure, I am a huge Lucero fan. They are, to put it simply, my favorite band on the whole damn planet. I celebrate their entire catalog, from the lo-fi hiss of The Attic Tapes to the boisterous horns of their 2009 major label debut. So no, you probably won’t be shocked to find […]
Photos that ROCK! Justin Townes Earle
Justin Townes Earle The Birchmere in Alexandria, VA: March 2010 Post by Suzanne D. McMahon (Suzanne Davis Photography) One thing I can say about Justin Townes Earle: the man knows how to dress. I’ve seen him play quite a few times now and his outfits are always impeccable, which makes him even more fun to […]
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 […]
Mayer’s Playlist from February 2012, Part 2
ALBUMS OF THE MONTH Go Fly a Kite, by Ben Kweller Kweller’s last outing was a more moody affair, however that comment can’t be made of his latest release.While there are some acoustic moments, Kweller has brought the rock. And damn it sounds good. “Time Will Save the Day” is the song Weezer’s Rivers Cuomo […]