The Damnwells The Damnwells burst right out of the gate with the rocking “55 Pictures†from their exceptional new release. The set was electric as the band veered from brawny rockers to moody ballads. Almost as entertaining was the young girl – I’m guessing 4 years-old – who jumped on stage to join the band. […]
SXSW 2009: The Sounds (part 2)
The Right Ons The quintet from Madrid, Spain is like a party in a box. They’re well-studied students of the classic Detroit garage rock sound, with bits of Jimi Hendrix and Sly and the Family Stone thrown in as well. They paid tribute to Stone with their intense cover of Sly’s “I Want to Take […]
Commander Cody – Dopers, Drunks and Everyday Losers
Some albums require several listenings to really get the subtlety and nuance of the music composition or the power of the thought in the lyrics. Commander Cody’s first studio effort in 20 years, Dopers, Drunks and Everyday Losers is not one of those albums. This, ladies and gentlemen, is a party album. If you don’t […]
SXSW 2009: The Sounds (part 1)
Low Anthem The Central Presbyterian Church, one of the more interesting SXSW venues, was the perfect room for the majestic songs of the Low Anthem. The talented trio moved swiftly through a range of instruments during the course of their set. It was completely captivating, albeit a bit ironic to hear songs about Charles Darwin […]
SXSW 2009: The Scene
If the economy is sick, then no one told the folks and attendees at SXSW. I, on the other hand, have a different story to tell. There’s nothing like attending a music conference with an ear ailment. Talk about a cruel, cruel irony. Not that I’m complaining. Like they say about golf or fishing, a […]
Willie Nelson – Naked Willie
Many people will tell you it all began back then. What was the “Nashville Sound†in the sixties is now Adult Contemporary with an accent. I don’t know if I totally agree, but there is no doubt that the “Nashville Sound†was the first attempt to put a formula on the music in order to […]
Play Ball!
Twangville City Limits – Mo Robson
Mo Robson is the lead-singer and songwriter for The Mo Robson Band. To celebrate the release of his new live album, Mo Robson Band – Live at Adair’s (Smith Music – out this week), Mo gives us a stripped-down preview of some of the new tracks and old favorites that we can expect from the […]
Old Californio – Westering Again
There are only a few regions around the great 48 that seem to have their own sound or musical vibe that serves as an identifiable tag of sorts to the rest of the country. I can’t help but think of Texas when I listen to Willie’s Red Headed Stranger or anything from Joe Ely, for […]
Vetiver – Tight Knit
If you’re familiar with the “freak folk†movement and the likes of Devendra Banhart and Joanna Newsom, you may not be interested in Vetiver. Although they may have become friends, Andy Cabic (the force behind the band) has certainly broken new ground. On this record Cabic’s acoustic pop aesthetic sounds more like Josh Rouse than […]