ALBUMS OF THE MONTH: Stay Positive, by The Hold Steady When Craig Finn preaches, “our psalms are sing-along songs,” in the opening track of their latest release, he might as well have revealed the band’s musical mission. Whereas previous albums have focused on the characters living in Finn’s imagination, this go-around spotlights the rock anthems […]
Country with Muscle – John D. Hale Band & Back Porch Mary
I have been very clear (or not, probably not) in the past that I have grown weary of musical-genre labels that either fail to make much sense, or simply don’t really define much (“Red-Dirt” anyone??). Having said that, I have recently began espousing a labeling philosophy that I think suits me just fine. If the […]
Twangville Picks the Best So Far in ’08
We at Twangville have been fortunate to hear some great music in the first half of ’08. I polled the crew on their favorites are here are the results: Todd: Hayes Carll, Trouble in Mind (read more) Chip: Drive-By Truckers, Brighter Than Creation’s Dark (read more on this album and Chip’s full list) Tom: Old […]
Mayer’s Playlist for May/June 2008, A Video Companion #2
Part two of this video companion features live performances from Hayes Carll, Paddy Casey, Reckless Kelly, Todd Thibaud and John Hiatt plus a powerhouse cover of AC/DC’s “Back in Black” by Danielia Cotton. We wrap up this installment with a video from Jabe and Baltimore’s Splitsville with our pick from the archives.
Anthony DaCosta-Abbie Gardner “Better Nights-Better Days”
Ryan Adams. Gillian Welch & David Rawlings. Conor Oberst. Cory Branan. These are names that are thrown around a lot when you are talking about modern day singer-songwriters. What if I told you there may be someone not just like them, but better? Anthony DaCosta might just be. About 3 hours ago, my brother handed […]
Mayer’s Playlist for May/June 2008, A Video Companion #1
There was so much good stuff this go-around that the video companion will arrive in two parts. Up first is live footage from Chris Mills, James McMurtry, Bob Walkenhorst, Joe Pug and Hifi Handgrenades. Plus we’ve got videos from Paddy Casey and KaiserCartel. Rounding things out is Reckless Kelly with a special live cover of […]
Reckless Kelly + More, Releases 6/24
Reckless Kelly performing Alejandro Escovedo’s “Castanets”. RECKLESS KELLY, Bulletproof (Yep Roc) Official Site | MySpace | Samples (Amazon) Believe me, passing over Alejandro Escovedo to feature Reckless Kelly this week was not easy. But that’s just how much I dig this Texas band. They took some time to get ‘Bulletproof’ out but early signs show […]
Honeybrowne + More, Releases 6/17
Honeybrowne performing in League City at the Village Fair. HONEYBROWNE, Mile by Mile (Smith Music)Official Site | MySpace | Samples Amid false rumors that the band had parted company (they were allegedly busy making babies), Austin’s Honeybrowne release their latest brand of rockin’ country tunes titled ‘Mile by Mile’. File under: Country / Rock / […]
American Aquarium- The Bible and the Bottle & Bones [EP]
American Aquarium is from Raleigh, NC. And yes, every review you read about them will compare them to Whiskeytown. But, to their credit, American Aquarium embraces the comparison on their second full length, The Bible and the Bottle. Skillet Gilmore (drums for Whiskeytown) does the artwork. Caitlin Cary (founding member Whiskeytown) contributes background vocals to […]
The Mother Truckers + More, Releases 6/3
The Mother Truckers playing Dynamite at Plush in Tucson, Arizona MOTHER TRUCKERS, Let’s All Go To Bed (Funzalo)Official Site | MySpace | Samples What’s not to love about Austin’s Mother Truckers? Find them somewhere comfortable nestled among the Drive-by Truckers, Sarah Borges and the Broken Singles and Southern Culture on the Skids. Its Texas-style countrified […]