In a small room off the beaten path at this year’s SXSW I found a big voice. Austin singer-songwriter Nakia took possession of the room that night, his rich and brawny voice shifting effortlessly from a soulful ballad to a R&B rave-up. Ably backed by his top-notch band the Southern Cousins, it was a highlight […]
Wes Charlton – World on Fire
Every so often I encounter a new artist that really gets me fired up. Since I entered the blogosphere a little over a year ago, my opportunity to discover these upstart talents has been an unexpected benefit. Nashville’s Wes Charlton is one of those artists. All I can say is watch out. This kid is […]
Listen Up: Justin Townes Earle’s “The Good Life”
Justin Townes Earle’s The Good Life is really two albums intertwined. First you get some vintage honky-tonk and backwoods country; second you get some gorgeous/breathtaking acoustic ballads. Album opener “Hard Livin†is a prime example of the former, a fine honky-tonk rave-up that showcases the tremendous group of players in the band. Some mighty fine […]
The Wailin’ Jennys: The Un-Bar Band
A few weeks back I went to see The Wailin’ Jennys. I went to it as kind of a throw-away show; I really like the venue and thought my wife would enjoy the Jennys. I came away really impressed and just can’t get the show out of my mind until I tell someone about it. […]
Album Review: Blame It On Gravity-The Old 97s
“We’ve taken what we always done well, and just grown it some”-Murry Hammond Hammond, bass player and vocalist for The Old 97’s made the above statement regarding their newest release, Blame it On Gravity, due out today. And after hearing an advance copy of it, I’d say he’s on target. BIOG has been the non-stop […]
Joe Pug – Nation of Heat
Chicago, by way of North Carolina & Maryland troubadour, Joe Pug would like to apologize to the innocent folks now living in the houses that he helped construct while working as a carpenter. He is likely expressing his remorse for the hours he seems to have spent humming possible melodies and arranging lyrics in his […]
Hayes Carll the Heir Apparent
There have been a lot of reviews written already about the new Hayes Carll album, Trouble in Mind. It is no doubt an album that fully establishes him as an artist. Exactly what it establishes him as is what I would like to address. A lot of the Texas Troubadours are getting older. Some like […]
Todd’s Review Roundup APRIL
Ok, I’ve been in more of a “rock” mood recently so for some of you twangvillers, these albums may have too much kick. Well, maybe not…we’ll see.    Hints of BRMC, The Tender Idols and Primal Scream abound on Saturna’s new album Some Delicious Enemy. Lush guitars, delay and feedback mixed with pulsing drums make the Portland, Oregon band […]
The Middle Class – Deep in Debt
Some call it Old-Timey, New-Grass, Jam-Grass, Rootsy, Pre-WWII, Folk or hell, some label junkies may even dream up a title like Appalachian Dumpsta-Funk (not bad actually, can’t it be as useful as “Alt-Country”?) The fact is, in the last few years we have witnessed an Ellis Island-style rush of young, unique, and quality hard-to-define acts […]
Jeb Loy Nichols – Days are Mighty
Jeb Loy Nichols occupies a territory somewhere between the Soul influenced folk of Martin Sexton and a more acoustic singer-songwriter sound. The album starts out with the more soul/R&B leanings of “My Kind” and the title track “Days are Mighty.” The title track is a comforting hopeful song. The message seems to be that, even […]