THE ALBUM OF THE MONTH: The Swell Season, by Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova Although it was originally released in late 2006, this album has finally taken hold of me with its quiet beauty. Glen Hansard, singer-songwriter from Ireland’s The Frames, and Marketa Irglova, a classically trained Czech musician, collaborated to create a song cycle […]
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club/Baby 81
It’s been a while since I’ve got an album that has beckoned to be cranked to 11, but the release of Baby 81 has ended that drought. After a brief stint grabbing Americana-type reviews and features with their last album, Howl, the Black Rebel boys come back rocking. From the opening track, “Took Out a […]
Ana Miura/Tenacious Heart
“Oh Canda! Our home and native land!” Ok, sorry, I just had to get that in there, as Ms. Miura hails from Canada. Ottawa to be exact…or is it Ontario? Oh well, both are listed on her website and it looks like she spends a fair amount of time in each place while occasionally jaunting […]
Adam Hood/6th Street EP
Adam Hood’s 4 song EP starts off promising with the semi-rocking “Tuesday Night” in which he proclaims, “I’m always hoping for a good time/It never happens on a Tuesday night.” It’s the standout track of the disc which features mostly Edwin McCain-style vocals, acoustic guitar, bass and drums. (And if anyone would know where to […]
Warren Zevon – Stand in the Fire
The best album not on CD…is finally on CD. Rhino Records rescued Warren Zevon’s classic live album from Asylum’s vaults and released an expanded and remastered version in late March. This album isn’t just live; it’s ALIVE — a vicious assault on songs taken (mostly) from Zevon’s first (and best) two albums. Almost without exception, […]
Tribute to Bruce Springsteen at Carnegie Hall (5 April 2007)
Nice joint,†proclaimed Steve Earle as he walked onto the Carnegie Hall stage to kick-off an extraordinary tribute to the music of Bruce Springsteen. Over the next two hours, a diverse roster of twenty artists performed songs from the Springsteen canon, the best of which included the artists description of Springsteen’s influence or a reflection […]
Kevin Lawson, On the Radar
It’s unlikely that you’ll find me in the Christian section of the record store. Its not that I’m anti-Christian. To the contrary, I’m quite comfortable and proud of my faith. Its more a case of my lack of knowledge in Christian music. Unlike my friend Stephen over at Fishtones.net (shameless plug) I haven’t been exposed […]
The Liabilities/The Liabilities
The Liabilities are a 4-piece from Macon, Georgia consisting of Aaron Irons (lead vocals, guitar), Justin Smith (bass, backing vocals), Brandon Fickler (lead guitar, vocals) and Josh Smith (drums). From listening to their debut self-titled disc, you’d have no idea it was recorded in a 10×30 foot storage shed in Columbia, South Carolina during the […]
Old Crow Medicine Show/Big Iron World
In what a big iron world we live. Or so think Old Crow Medicine Show. On their second disc, again produced by David Rawlings, the boys would like to take us back to a much simpler time. A time before Leo Fender and Les Paul’s “electric” guitars. This is a time when the banjo and […]
Low Stars, On the Radar
Harmony, harmony, harmony. Apparently, its back in style and it sounds great. Witness foursome Low Stars with their debut album. I know what you are thinking… these guys are a CSN ripoff. You’d be right, but they don’t hide from this. In fact, they embrace it. “We wanted to make an authentic-sounding record that was […]