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 […]
Patti Smith & More, Album Previews
PATTI SMITH, Twelve (Sony) I’m not really quite sure what to think of Patti Smith’s eleventh full length album titled, Twelve. On the one hand, its just another long time rocker making an album of other people’s hits. On the other hand, its Patti Smith and she rocks. Regardless, she was recently inducted into the […]
Grace Potter, David Serby & The Wells, via Tom’s Mailbox
One of the perks of being involved with Twangville is that some really great artists send me music to sample. The unfortunate thing is that more often than not, much of what is sent to me never sees the light of day. I’ve been burdening myself with the idea that I have to do an […]
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 […]
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, […]
Bright Eyes & More, Album Previews
Bright Eyes, Cassadaga (Saddle Creek) Under normal circumstances, Connor Oberst aka Bright Eyes is the kind of guy I want to chaperone to the gym. Aside from his tender heart, his music is generally hit or miss for me. For many others (including one of my all time favorites, Michael Stipe), he is highly revered. […]
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 […]
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, […]