Hey Everybody, As always, the following is a link to ITunes to download a playlist containing a song from many of the records I reviewed below: BOBBY K’S 2008 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 […]
Best Albums of 2008, Mayer’s Picks
#1. MATTHEW RYAN, Matthew Ryan Vs. the Silver State (00:02:59) Whether he’s performing a ballad or a rock song, Ryan’s intelligence and intensity course through this release. (Twangville review, mp3s and video here.) #2. THE HOLD STEADY, Stay Positive (Vagrant) They rock, they roll and then they rock some more. The Hold Steady may very […]
More of Tom’s Favorites of 2008, a Video Companion
Selected favorites from some of my favorite albums of the year. Also, some superlatives: Best Alternative Album: THE HOLD STEADY, Stay Positive (Vagrant) Best Alt-Country Album: OLD 97S, Blame It On Gravity (New West) Best Emerging Artist: GLOSSARY, The Better Angels of Our Nature (Undertow) Best Country Album: RECKLESS KELLY, Bulletproof (Yep Roc) Best R&B/Soul […]
Best Albums of 2008, Tom’s Picks
These are my favorite albums of 2008. As always, these only reflect music that I was able to afford or otherwise get my grubby hands on. Regretfully, the lastest from Ryan Adams & The Cardinals, Marc Broussard, Ray Lamontagne, Amos Lee, and Butch Walker among dozens of others kept a distance. #1. THE HOLD STEADY, […]
The Taste of Victory
No, I’m not writing about this past weekend’s UF vs. Alabama football game. I’ll leave that to Tom and Chip, although I suspect that Chip will be rather quiet on the subject. Just wanted to acknowledge several recent winners in Twangville give-aways: Sharon Goldberg of New York, NY will be receiving the new Dar Williams […]
Reckless Kelly,’s “Bulletproof”, Readers’ Choice Album of the Year
Its that time of year again where we start to see “the lists” start appearing regarding everyone’s favorite this and that from the course of the year. We here at the Twangville will have some lists of our own starting to appear over the coming days and weeks. We thought we’d kick it off with […]
Thank You Prince and Alan Greenspan
So it has now been officially declared that the US is in a recession. Nothing left to do but “party like its 1999.” Prince |MTV Music Can I tell you how much fun I’m having digging through the MTV archives? Post a comment with your favorite video from the MTV archives and you could win […]
Name Your Video: A Twangville Give-Away
Yesterday we posted a few choice videos courtesy of MTV. Now’s its your turn. Post your favorite video from the immense MTV archives and you could win our latest give-away. Our give-away comes courtesy of the Break and Repair Method, the nom de plume of Paul Doucette. Some may know Doucette from the MTV appearances […]
Butch Walker Listening Party & Give-Away
We’re chock full of goodies today celebrating the US release of Butch Walker’s Sycamore Meadows. The title comes from the name of the street where Walker was living in Malibu when wildfires swept through Southern California in late 2007. Walker lost everything in the fire. Everything, that is, but his spirit. And it’s that spirit […]
Win Big! A Dar Williams Give-Away
Dar Williams cranks it up a notch on Promised Land, her latest release. Returning from a three year recording hiatus Williams transforms her folk roots into a more pop-oriented sound. Lead-off track “It’s Alright” is a great example: a happy-go-lucky melody highlighted by William’s bright lyrics and gentle voice. As if to prove the point, […]