Acoustic, country blues is one of the purest forms of Americana music.  It also may be the most difficult to master.  To capture the sound and spirit of a Robert Johnson, Mississippi John Hurt or Lightnin’ Hopkins takes tremendous musicianship and a feel for the music that few artists possess. But Cary Morin, a Crow tribal […]
Readers’ Pick: 11 Short Stories of Pain & Glory by Dropkick Murphys
It wasn’t much of a contest, but it’s early in the year. DROPKICK MURPHYS, 11 Short Stories of Pain & Glory runs unopposed and is your favorite for the week of January 6, 2016. Poll Results New Releases Did we miss something? If you feel a new release is missing from our current poll, please […]
The Sadies – Northern Passages
I appreciate the sentiment behind the saying, “you can’t go home again” and it’s nod to life not standing still. Â Sometimes, when you want to take a step back from all the changes, home is just where you want to go, though. Â Brothers Dallas and Travis Good, and their Sadies bandmates Sean Dean and Mike […]
The Twangville 2017 Release Preview
If the albums scheduled for release over the next few months are any indication, we’re in for a fine year of music. Here are just a few forthcoming long-players that we’re highly anticipating. MOUNT RENRAW by OTIS GIBBS (13 January on Wanamaker Recording Company) Otis Gibbs is one of the most thoughtful songwriters in Americana, […]
Twangville’s Best Album of 2016: Lydia Loveless, “Real”, Plus More
Official Twangville Best New Album of 2016: LYDIA LOVELESS, Real It’s official. The Twangville pick for Best New Album of 2016 is Real by Columbus, Ohio’s very own Lydia Loveless. This list combines best of year picks from our Twangville authors plus the Readers’ Tops which you helped us create. Congrats to all the finalists. […]
Todd’s Picks; Best of 2016 The Albums
The new year is upon us, which means it’s time for my best of list which is always heavy on middle-aged white men…  Happy 2017 folks. Pete Yorn/Arranging Time – I probably listened to this album more than any other in 2016 and that’s why it would get my vote for #1. As long as Pete […]
Photos that ROCK! Best of 2016
It continues to be an honor to be able to take photos for Twangville every year. Although the number of shows that I’m able to attend has decreased (thanks to a 2 year old!), I still LOVE standing in front of the stage to shoot these artists that I listen to and admire so much. […]
Shawn’s 2016 Favorite Albums
As always, lots of good music that came out last year. Â I have no doubt some really good stuff released and I never heard a song of it. Â Rich world problems. Â Here’s what I listened to and liked a lot this year. The Avett Brothers – True Sadness: I like the Avett’s mix of pop, […]
Bill’s Blues Based Best of 2016
2016 was a hard year. But it was a pretty good year for the blues, with some of the highest profile blues musicians releasing fantastic albums. Below is my inexpert summary of some of the most memorable blues releases from the year to forget. 1. Steve Dawson – Solid States & Loose Ends. A relative unknown, Dawson’s […]
Mayer’s Picks – Best Albums of 2016, Boston Edition
This has been an exceptional year for music in and around Boston. I hesitate to break these out into a separate regional list as many of these releases would figure prominently on my overall Best of 2016. That said, taken together they make a great statement on the vibrancy of the Boston music scene. The […]