I was thrilled when word came that Eef Barzelay was getting the Clem Snide (Official / Myspace) gang back together in 2009, after a break of a few years. While Barzelay’s solo work is solid, it just didn’t have the same zip that I have always recognized in the earlier Clem Snide albums. “Moment in […]
Ain’t Nobody Better Than The Preservation Hall Jazz Band
Few cities have as rich a musical heritage as New Orleans, Louisiana. Even fewer have a modest building the mere mention of which conjures up vivid images, both visual and aural. Such is the legacy of Preservation Hall. The building itself is strikingly humble. No running water. No air conditioning. Six spare benches and a […]
Rich McCulley – Starting All Over Again
Rich McCulley’s (Official / Myspace) 4th album, Starting All Over Again wastes no time in establishing its identity as a catchy pop-rock record that twangs in just the right spots and even reflects without moping. “Tell Me, I’m Listening”, “Dreams Tonight” and “The Last Song” open the album with a steady tempo that rocks along […]
Mayer’s Playlist from January 2010
ALBUMS OF THE MONTH: The Day After Everything Changed, by Ellis Paul New England folk musician Ellis Paul headed south to Nashville to record his latest album and returned with a more polished sound. Despite the change of locale, however, the vividness of his songwriting remains the same. Paul’s songs are filled with rich imagery […]
Joe Pug- Messenger
Joe Pug has been heralded by bloggers, magazine editors, and other genre ‘insiders’, all before the release of his first proper LP. Â And here it is. A ten song album featuring some of Pug’s best songs yet, Messenger lives up to rather large expectations. Â Pug has been busy touring with likes of Josh Ritter, Steve […]
Klausner Music Newsletter 2009, Year-End Musings by Bobby K
EDITOR’S NOTE: I couldn’t let this newsletter sit in my inbox any longer. Twangville guest author Bobby K offers yet another fine selection of annual picks from the previous year. Enjoy! -Tom Hey Everybody, As always, the following is a link to iTunes to download a playlist containing songs from many of the records I […]
Glossary- Feral Fire
Glossary’s latest LP Feral Fire was released February 2nd on Lucero’s Liberty and Lament label. Glossary has toured with the Drive-By Truckers, Lucero, Two Cow Garage, Slobberbone, Drag the River, and Centro-Matic. And each of those bands has fawned over them. Micah Schnabel of Two Cow Garage sang about Glossary on their latest record, “Humble […]
Kara Suzanne – Parlor Walls
I like a record that grows throughout its playlist. Â Like a fine wine that starts with a mouthful of fruit, but then spices and oak and earthiness build across the palate for a wonderfully complex flavor. Â The latest album from Kara Suzanne and her band, the Gojo Hearts, is kind of like that. Â It starts […]
Chris Bell – I Am the Cosmos (Deluxe Edition)
One of the most criminally overlooked, even by the clichéd standards, the band Big Star truly defined the tragic indie band’s aura. After three albums (the first two of which Bell was a driving force behind), Bell disappears and winds up passing away tragically in a car accident after grappling with depression. Bell’s influence can […]
Old Crow Medicine Show – Live at the Orange Peel & Tennessee Theater
When I think of a live show, bluegrass can really take it to another level: the tenacious rhythm, the fiddle, high harmony and that relentless bass. Although I’ve never seen bluegrass back in the day, I imagine the hootenanny to feel something like an Old Crow concert. Songs about drug addiction, infidelity and them good […]