It’s just too hard to listen to every album that gets released in a given year. I certainly can’t. What that means is a handful of good recordings escaped me until this year. Fortunately, it’s never too late to discover good music. Here’s a few recommendations in case you missed them too. JAMES MADDOCK, Sunrise […]
Mayer’s Picks: The Best of 2011, So Far (The Albums)
Here, in no particular order, are some of my favorites from 2011. Here’s to more great music in the back half! HERE WE REST, JASON ISBELL & THE 400 UNIT Isbell continues to mature as a songwriter, exploring the more soulful and acoustic side of his Alabama music heritage. Which isn’t to say that he […]
Grace Potter & the Nocturnals Live at Ives Park (06.27.11)
It’s been 5 years since I first saw Grace Potter & the Nocturnals in concert. The 5 years has seen a lot of changes to the band, a couple of line-up changes, a couple of records, a slew of major festival appearances, and practical stardom thanks to appearances on VH1 and the Ellen DeGeneres show. […]
Tom’s Picks: Best of Spring 2011
Top 10 JASON ISBELL & THE 400 UNIT, Here We Rest [★★★★/4.455] His third album since parting ways with the Drive-by Truckers and second with band The 400 Unit. The album title, Here We Rest, takes it’s name from the original Alabama state motto. Like his former band, Isbell continually pays homage to his home […]
Abbie Gardner- Hope
5 Years, 3 Red Molly records, a duo record with Anthony da Costa, and a passel of tour dates have passed since Abbie Gardner’s last solo record, the comparatively sparse Honey On My Grave. Hope represents the maturation of one of the best artists in Americana music today. With a confidence that can only be […]
Dan Hubbard and the Humadors – The Love Show
It wasn’t that long ago when someone asked me “Why doesn’t anyone make Rock n’ Roll” anymore?” Like many folks, he quit looking for new music after he graduated college, and was now trying to search the radio for new Rock n’ Roll. If he asked that today, I would give him a copy of […]
Readers’ Pick: My Morning Jacket, “Circuitalâ€
READERS PICK: MAY 2011 Twangville readers picked My Morning Jacket‘s Circuital as their favorite album of May 2011. If there’s anyone out there redefining classic rock it’s Jim James and My Morning Jacket. Circuital the band’s sixth LP takes me back to 70’s era Pink Floyd where sound was used to paint vivid pictures of […]
American Gun Is In Therapy
For those readers who may not know, one of Twangville’s own is a real life rock and roll star (well he’s real life rock and roll anyway). Mr. Todd Mathis has been fronting the alt. rock-country outfit American Gun for the better part of a decade now. Their fourth effort entitled Therapy is fast becoming […]
The Waifs – Temptation
How does one go about acquiring an old soul? Â Do you go down to the crossroads and make a Faustian bargain ala Robert Johnson? Â Maybe reincarnation is the answer and you just have live a lot of lives. Â Regardless of how they did it, collectively The Waifs exhibit a world weariness in their latest album, […]
Really Rockin’ in Boston: A Special Playlist
Here’s the latest installment of my playlist series highlighting the latest and greatest in New England music. Zero, Sea Monsters (from the Q-Dee Records single Zero b/w Don’t Make Me Wait) It’s about time that we let you in on a little Boston secret. They’re called the Sea Monsters and for over three years they’ve […]