The Decemberists hit hard in January with The King Is Dead and maintained their number one status with me for the entire year. Butch Walker‘s The Spade was the best I’ve heard yet from the Master of Hooks. Let’s hope his work with The Black Widows will continue. In at #21 was Telekinesis the highest […]
Mayer’s Picks: Best EPs of 2011
Many of my favorite releases from this year were 5-6 song eps rather than 8-10+ song full-length releases. It is, perhaps, a statement on modern music industry that, with one exception, all of these were self-released. As John Lennon said, “Power to the people.” Here, in no particular order, are a few favorite EPs from […]
Mayer’s Picks: Best Albums of 2011
#1. JASON ISBELL & THE 400 UNIT, Here We Rest (Lightning Rod) I’d be lying if I said that I wasn’t hoping for a full-on rock assault from Isbell and crew. What I got was something better — a nuanced musical tour of his home state of Alabama. From the back porch acoustic sway of […]
Happy Twangsgiving, a 2011 Toast
As Twangville completes it’s 6th year in existence, it’s only right that we pause and raise a glass to all who have made this little site possible again for one more year. It’s artists like Jason Isbell, Will Hoge, Lucinda Williams, Gillian Welch and Old 97s who continually inspire us to write reviews. The under-the-radar […]
Tom’s Picks: Best of Summer 2011
Here are some of my favorites from the Summer. Best of Summer 2011 OLD 97S, The Grand Theatre, Vol. 2 [★★★★/4.308] This is side two of last year’s full length originally conceived of as a double album. The band says that releasing with time in between afforded them time to adjust the songs and add […]
Regretfully Overlooked in 2010
It’s just too hard to listen to every album that gets released in a given year. I certainly can’t. What that means is a handful of good recordings escaped me until this year. Fortunately, it’s never too late to discover good music. Here’s a few recommendations in case you missed them too. JAMES MADDOCK, Sunrise […]
Tom’s Picks: Best of Spring 2011
Top 10 JASON ISBELL & THE 400 UNIT, Here We Rest [★★★★/4.455] His third album since parting ways with the Drive-by Truckers and second with band The 400 Unit. The album title, Here We Rest, takes it’s name from the original Alabama state motto. Like his former band, Isbell continually pays homage to his home […]
Tom’s Picks: Best of Winter 2011
My favorite albums from the Winter of 2011. Links will lead you to Twangville reviews. Also, be sure and check out the video companion below. Enjoy! Top 10 THE DECEMBERISTS, The King is Dead [★★★★★/4.700]Album number 6 for the Portland, OR based group. A slight departure from previous concept albums featuring cameos by Peter Buck […]
Best Albums of 2010, Official Twangville Editors’ Picks
Here it is. Nearly 100 recommended albums from 2010 by our esteemed Twangville editors. Last year it was Lucero topping the list just edging out Justin Townes Earle by a nose. One year later, it’s Earle who sits at the top with Harlem River Blues our Best Album of 2010. All links below go to […]
Klausner Music Newsletter 2010, Year-End Musings by Bobby K
Hey Everybody, The following is a link to iTunes to download a playlist containing songs from many of the records I reviewed below: BOBBY K’S 2010 PICKS. I took great care in arranging this playlist, which I think you’ll enjoy as a CD in and of itself. If you click on an artist’s name below, […]