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 […]
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 […]
Terri Hendrix – Cry Till You Laugh
Running on all cylinders. In the groove. Hitting the sweet spot. All are descriptors about when everything comes together and suddenly the sum is greater than the parts. They’re also good descriptions of the latest album from the queen of San Marcos, Texas, Terri Hendrix. Her latest release, Cry Till You Laugh, with long-time collaborator […]
Joe Pug- “Burn and Shine”
Ok, so this post was suppose to be a review of Sunset / Sunrise by the Seattle based band Duchess and the Duke. However, unfortunately (or fortunately) I got Leeroy Stagger’s new record, Acoustic Vol. 1, in the mail yesterday. I listened to pretty much nothing else last night. But fear not faithful Twangville readers, […]
Marah – Life is a Problem
It wasn’t too long ago when Stephen King declared that Marah “is probably the best rock band in America that nobody knows†after their 2005 record “If You Didn’t Laugh, You’d Cry.†The band has seen changes in their lineup and sound since that comment was made and “Life is a Problem” reflects that. Serge […]
Merle Haggard, with Kris Kristofferson – Live at Mountain Winery
Sometimes you just can’t make this stuff up. There we were, all 1800 of us, singing along with Joan Baez, that darling of the counterculture, “We don’t let our hair grow long and shaggy, like the hippies out in San Francisco do. And I’m proud to be an Okie from Muskogee.” The occasion was the […]