ALBUMS OF THE MONTHS Till Midnight, by Chuck Ragan There seems to be a symbiotic relationship between punk and Americana. While punk has its raw intensity and Americana its musical sincerity, both styles are rooted in emotion and authenticity. The latest to prove the point is Chuck Ragan who takes the rock intensity that he […]
SXSW 2014 — The Sounds, Part 2
DAVE AND PHIL ALVIN I’m a big Dave Alvin fan. Unfortunately for me I discovered the Blasters, the seminal band co-founded by Dave and his brother Phil, after they went their separate ways. I was hooked, though, on their encyclopedic knowledge of American music — everything from folk to country and from blues to vintage […]
SXSW 2014 — The Sounds, Part 1
THE HOLD STEADY While I may not be as crazy as my friend who chased the band around Austin for the band’s 7 planned shows, I wasn’t going to pass up a chance to see the Brooklyn rockers celebrate their first album in 4 years. I accompanied said friend to the front of the stage […]
Mayer’s Playlist for Feb/Mar 2014, Part 2
ALBUMS OF THE MONTHS English Oceans, by Drive-By Truckers I suppose that this review could be titled “Cooley Steps Out.” The band co-founder, who has historically contributed only a couple of songs per release, is credited with six songs on English Oceans. Ever better, they are some of his strongest songs in years. The opening […]
Monday Morning Video: Warren Zevon
Sometimes you just want to kick it old school. Here’s one of my favorite Warren Zevon songs, with the band tossing in a bit of Bruce Springsteen’s “Cadillac Ranch” for good measure.
Mayer’s Playlist for Feb/Mar 2014, Part 1
I suppose that Lydia Loveless could have gone in two directions after 2011’s outstanding Indestructible Machine…
Music With a Purpose — Matthew Ryan’s “An Anthem for the Broken”
Let me get straight to the point. Buy this song. Buy it not because it is a great song, although it is. Buy it because when you do, you’ll be supporting a fellow music fan and longtime friend of Twangville who is waging a fierce battle with ALS (otherwise known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease). Click […]
Monday Morning Video – Morphine “Cure for Pain”
This song randomly popped up over the weekend. It served as a great reminder of how extraordinary Morphine’s music was and how great a loss it was when Mark Sandman passed away in 1999.
Mass Ave – A Special Boston Playlist
FEATURED ALBUMS Good Luck, by Girls Guns and Glory Girls Guns and Glory have always been a fun live band, mixing up originals with choice covers ranging from Elvis Presley to Hank Williams. They’ve captured that energy – and then some – on their latest release. The Boston quartet traveled to Brooklyn to record the […]
Monday Morning Video: Lydia Loveless
Twangville fave Lydia Loveless has a new album hitting the streets tomorrow and it’s a rocker. I’ll be sharing my thoughts on it shortly but, in the meantime, here’s Loveless and the crew performing an early favorite called “Wine Lips.”