Lists. Do they matter? Does anyone care anymore? In this day of Spotify, do we still need people pointing out what to listen to? Or do we need suggestions more than ever because of the volume of releases? I don’t know. All I know is that I find it fun to compile a list of […]
Mayer’s Picks – More Favorites from 2015
Here, in no particular order, are a few more favorites from 2015. All A Man Should DoLucero Maudlin DaysOcean Carolina Adventures in Real TimeDylan Gardner The Firewatcher’s DaughterBrandi Carlile Positive Songs For Negative PeopleFrank Turner The Spirit MovesLanghorne Slim and the Law Nathaniel Rateliff and the Night SweatsNathaniel Rateliff and the Night Sweats High On […]
Palmetto Rose, A Playlist
Sometimes a particular song simply doesn’t fit on a mixtape. This playlist was originally intended as a showcase for two songs—Jason Isbell’s “Palmetto Rose†and Sons of Bill’s “Broken Bottles (live)â€. Palmetto Rose just never seemed to work on this one, so I gave it the title spot as a nod to the inspiration. Sons of […]
Marshall Crenshaw Talks the Perils of Airport Food and Hearing His Songs Played at the Hardware Store
Marshall Crenshaw reflects on his early years – imitating Elvis at the age of four and playing in a band with high schoolers when he was twelve. He also recalls the early years when he played music through the night and delivered newspapers into the morning.
Monday Morning Video – Jeffrey Foucault Sings About “That Night in Des Moines”
Jeffrey Foucault played a marvelous show in Boston a few weeks back. The singer-songwriter left the crowd in awe with an inspired set that highlighted songs from Salt As Wolves, his latest release. Foucault excels at painting wistful musical landscapes, as this favorite from the new album attests.
Readers’ Pick: The Quality Holiday Revue (live) by Nick Lowe & Los Straitjackets
NICK LOWE & LOS STRAITJACKETS, The Quality Holiday Revue (live) beats out MARC BROUSSARD, Magnolias & Mistletoe as your favorite holiday album of 2015. Poll Results Best New Album of 2015 Did we miss something? If you feel a new release is missing from our current poll, please let us know in the comments. Readers’ […]
Mike Zito – Keep Coming Back
Mike Zito throws all of himself into his music.  With Keep Coming Back, Zito & The Wheel has taken Zito’s gritty recipe of blues-rock and country and stirred in a bit more country than in his 2013 release, Gone to Texas, and some classic rock to cook up a strong collection of songs. A St. Louis native now […]
Mayer’s Picks – Best Albums of 2015, Boston Edition
This has been a great year for music in Boston and throughout New England. Here, in no particular order, are some favorites 2015 releases from area artists. SESSION AMERICANA, Pack Up the Circus What started as an informal gathering of friends playing primarily cover songs has blossomed into a remarkable musical collective. The group’s latest […]
Monday Morning Video – Marah “Reservation Girl”
Marah, who have a well-earned reputation for incendiary live performances, have reunited their classic line-up to celebrate the reissue of their legendary breakout album Kids in Philly. Only a handful of shows have been scheduled but here’s hoping that the reunion morphs into an on-going revival. Although this song isn’t on Kids in Philly (or […]
Three Additional Gems
Sometimes I get records I really enjoy, but I can’t quite seem to get a full length review out of them, or there are just too many things in my queue.  Frequently that happens with some really good EP’s, but also sometimes with full length releases.  With releases slowing down this time of hear, I thought […]