THE ALBUM OF THE MONTH: The Stax 50th Anniversary Celebration The Stax sound is one of American music’s greatest legacies. one of the greatest legacy’s in American music. With Booker T & the MGs — a house-band so good that they could score a #1 song on their own (with the instrumental “Green Onions”) as […]
Juliana Hatfield & Frank Smith + More, Album Previews
Juliana Hatfield & Frank Smith, Sittin’ in a Tree (Full CD) Unfortunately Sittin’ in a Tree is only an EP, but I love the sweet buttery sound of Juliana Hatfield layered on top of formerly Boston, now Austin-based alt-country outfit Frank Smith. Check out EP track “A Beer and a Shot”. Even better, be sure […]
Wilco & More, Album Previews
Wilco, ‘Sky Blue Sky’ With hints of Southern California folk-rock reminiscient of the Eagles, Wilco is back with its sixth studio album. I may be alone in this thinking, but I’m relieved to hear less ‘experimentation’ in this release. With the exception of a few songs, 2004’s A Ghost is Born was not for me. […]
Joseph Arthur & More, Album Previews
Joseph Arthur and the Lonely Astronauts, Let’s Just Be (Lonely Astronaut) Recored over a three week period concluding their Fall 2006 tour, this is the first of two albums expected this year paring down the 80 or so tracks captured during these sessions. File under: alternative, indie, rock. WORTH MENTION: Nine Inch Nails, Year Zero […]
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 […]
Grant-Lee Phillips & More, Album Previews
Grant Lee Phillips “Soft Asylum (No Way Out)” Grant-Lee Phillips, Strangelet (Zoe/Rounder) Out with his fifth solo recording titled “Strangelet”, Grant-Lee Phillips looks to cosmic abnormalities to inspire a “record for strange times”. Check out the Grant-Lee Phillips’ MySpace profile for song previews. File under: Rock, Acoustic, Alternative. ALSO LOOK FOR: Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver, […]
The Young Dubliners – The Irish Sessions
Though they orginated in Dublin, the Young Dubliners’ turbo charged sound owes more to Alternative Pop than Irish Pub Rock. Over the years, they have merely peppered their six albums and their concerts with traditional Irish tunes; but when they DO perform authentic Irish, the results have been outstanding, and fans have cried out for […]
Josh Rouse, EP Available
A personal favorite artist of mine ever since my cousin Ken mentioned him to me back in 2003, Josh Rouse released a new EP this week. This time as a duo. He’s partnered up with Spanish native, Paz Suay, who’s smooth vocals you might recognize from his last album, Subtitulo. The new EP is aptly […]
Best of Winter 2006, a Playlist
The bar has been set high! I’m astounded by the number of great albums that have already surfaced this year. Will Hoge shunned traditional record promotions by leaning heavily on juggernauts MySpace and Purevolume all the way to offering up a free download from the album once every week. Josh Rouse travelled to Spain offering […]
Tom’s Pick of the Week, Bruce Robison
There are several interesting releases this week. I’m intrigued by releases from just about all these artists. Though, the only one that I’ve been able to preview that I feel comfortable recommending is Texas-based, Americana singer-songwriter, Bruce Robison’s Eleven Stories. Check out track #2 “Virginia”: [audio:http://www.sustainrecords.com/audio/Bruce%20Robison%20-%20Virginia.mp3] Notable releases for week of April 4, 2006 from: […]