Ted Leo and the Pharmacists, Living With the Living (Touch & Go Records) If I’m telling the full truth, Jesse Malin would have been my pick of the week if I could locate a full album stream. The good news is that Ted Leo and the Pharmacists are more than second best. Fans of Spoon […]
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 […]
Grace Potter & The Nocturnals “Mystery Train”, a Video
One act I’m really going to try to see this year at SXSW is Grace Potter & The Nocturnals. They’re playing at 1am on Thursday night at the Cedar Street Courtyard. Check ’em out. Grace Potter and the Nocturnals – “Mystery Train” Thanks, John!
Son Volt & More, Album Previews
Son Volt, The Search (Legacy) Their previous release, Okemah and the Melody of Riot, landed at #3 on my top ten list of 2005. Its fair to say I’m biased when talking about Son Volt. Jay Farrar and Mike Heidorn created Son Volt out of the ashes of Uncle Tupelo who along with Whiskeytown should […]
The Return of Matthew Sweet?
Matthew Sweet’s 1991 album Girlfriend burst through like a breath of fresh air. During a time when grunge ruled the airwaves and Nirvana was leading the charge, Sweet took the roughness of grunge and married it with southern California harmonies and pop sensibilities. Sweet has quietly reemerged in recent years, most notably collaborating with Susanna […]
Last Train Home, Looking Back
Here’s a brief follow up from the Last Train Home cd release party at IOTA in Alexandria, VA on February 17, 2007. I don’t have a full review from the Last Train Home show ’cause I was just having too much fun to worry about breaking down the show into a blog post. You’ll have […]
Life’s a Beach, a Playlist
I created this playlist a few years back when it was the middle of winter and I was sick with a case of cabin fever. Now, as February comes to an end, its time again to escape to happy thoughts of sand beneath my toes, a warm breeze blowing by and a fragrant hint of […]
Twangville Live In Long Beach, CA
Twangville presents a local alt-country show on Thursday, March 8 at The Blue Cafe in Long Beach, CA with three great bands: The Vaquetones, Merle Jagger and Michael Ubaldini. This is one in a series of Twangville shows that happen every second Thursday at the Blue Cafe.
Southern Culture on the Skids, Album Preview
Southern Culture on the Skids, Countrypolitan Favorites (Yep Roc) I got the opportunity to see SCOTS last year in San Francisco for the first time. They are fantastic live. I got hit by a flying piece of fried chicken and I loved it. I don’t know much about the new album but I expect it […]
Careless Hearts, On the Radar
Check out San Franscisco Bay Area twangers, Careless Hearts. The foursome lead by the songwriting and vocals of Paul Kimball consists of guitars (Paul Kimball and Derek See), bass (Rob Miller) and drums (Craig Heitkam). Their self-titled debut is full of sad songs influenced by traditional country songbooks juxtaposed with rockin’ twang channeling the likes […]