New music is created in studios, bedrooms and studios every day. We at Twangville are fortunate and honored that many emerging artists chose to share their music with us. Join us below and in future installments to see what we find in the Twangville mailbox. Potlatch, The Bean Pickers Union (self-released) If music is at […]
Grammy CDs to First that Email Me
Shout! Factory in association with NARAS recently released a 7-CD series entitled “Ultimate Grammy Collection.” This is in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Grammy Awards. They were kind enough to pass along 2 CDs to twangville. First we have the Classic Country featuring such hits as Johnny Cash’s “A Boy Named Sue” and […]
Best Albums of 2007, Official Twangville Picks
For the first time in three years Twangville presents an official top albums list aggregated from several of our editors’ picks. The first number in parenthesis represents the cumulative score and the second number is the number of editors who selected a particular album. 1. Jason Isbell, ‘Sirens of The Ditch’ (26.5/4) 2. Patty Griffin, […]
Hidden Gems Part 1 – Twilight Hotel
Tuesday is going to be a big day for new releases. Because of this fact, a couple of Gems releasing on 1-29 that could easily get lost in the Hoopla. Twilight Hotel Highway Prayer is the first one I would like to point out. This Winnipeg based male-female duo enlisted fellow Canadian Colin Linden to […]
The Wreckers ‘Way Back Home: Live From New York’, a Giveaway
**NOTE: Contest is now closed. You can still participate but will no longer be eligible for the giveaway.** Back in 2006 I listed The Wreckers as my guilty pleasure of the year. That feeling hasn’t subsided. For some reason, I still dig these chicks. Most of my reasoning is quite shallow as my wife reminds […]
Best Albums of 2007 (Tom’s Picks)
Top 10 lists are relative in that they are best judged against the music the reviewer was exposed to and spent enough time listening to to properly analyze. For this reason, many fine albums of 2007 didn’t make my list. I had every intention of purchasing Steve Earle’s and Bettye Lavette’s albums in time to […]
Mayer’s Picks from 2007: The Video Companion
Before we get too far into 2008, here’s a quick trip down (recent) memory lane with some of my favorites from 2007. Among them: Jason Isbell (“Dress Blues”), Josh Ritter (“Right Moves”), Justin Currie (“If I Ever Loved You”), Glen Hansard & Marketa Irglova (“Falling Slowly” plus a bonus “Into the Mystic”), Brandi Carlile (“The […]
Mayer’s Picks for 2008
As 2007 fades from memory, there’s a wealth of great music on the horizon in 2008. I’ve listed a few of my most eagerly awaited arrivals below, ordered by expected release date. Most of the artists have preview tracks available via MySpace; click on the artist name to link there. Check the Twangville Release Calendar […]
Mayer’s Picks from 2007: The Songs
Dress Blues, Jason Isbell Potent in its simplicity, Isbell reflects on the loss of a high school friend in the Iraqi War. Even after hundreds of listens, I still get a chill in my spine when Isbell sings “You never planned on the bombs in the sand, or sleeping in your dress blues.” If I […]
Mayer’s Picks from 2007: Honorable Mentions
A few more for your consideration… Free Life by Dan Wilson Intelligent lyrics and extraordinary pop sensibilities make Wilson an in-demand songwriter and collaborator. Left to his own devices he delivers an impeccably produced pop gem. Cigarettes and Gasoline by Emerson Hart The former Tonic front-man serves up some of the most mesmerizing melodies this […]