ALBUMS OF THE MONTH Go Fly a Kite, by Ben Kweller Kweller’s last outing was a more moody affair, however that comment can’t be made of his latest release.While there are some acoustic moments, Kweller has brought the rock. And damn it sounds good. “Time Will Save the Day” is the song Weezer’s Rivers Cuomo […]
The Honeydogs – What Comes After
The Twin Cities based Honeydogs, who were tantalizingly close to stardom in the late 1990s, have kept their day jobs, survived and now have released a new album that should please their enthusiastic followers. What Comes After follows the recipe of the band’s superb 1997 and 2001 releases, Seen a Ghost and Here’s Luck, with simple, straight forward lyrics and exceptional musicianship. The […]
Monday Morning Video: Frank Turner
Here are two sides of Frank Turner playing one of my favorites from his excellent catalog. The first finds him playing a large outdoor festival in Germany while in the second he is playing someone’s sweaty basement in Philadelphia. Talk about taking your music to the people… And I won’t sit down And I won’t […]
Twangville Showcase This Saturday!
Don’t forget our special Twangville showcase this Saturday. If you live in — or can get to — Columbia, SC, come join us for an incredible night of music. Performing that night are Lydia Loveless, Kasey Anderson, Mooncussers and Columbia outfit American Gun. All top notch, all Twangville-endorsed. You can find the full details, plus […]
Katie Glassman – Snapshot
Chocolate covered bacon. Â Spam sushi. Â Over easy eggs on pizza. Â I’m a fan of things that, at first, don’t seem to go well together, and yet when you actually try it’s pretty darn good. Â That’s the kind of surprise I got when listening to Katie Glassman’s latest release, Snapshot. Â It’s bluegrass and vintage jazz. Â A […]
Mayer’s Playlist From February 2012, Part 1
ALBUMS OF THE MONTH: Inspiration, by Shurman One of the things that I have always appreciated about Shurman is the ragged edge of their music. And man do they serve it up by the bucket on their latest release. Album opener and title track “Inspiration” starts things out on a positive note, both musically and […]
Carolina Chocolate Drops – Leaving Eden
The Carolina Chocolate Drops, whose informal folksy jug band approach belies a talent pool that is seemingly bottomless, have added another gem to their already stellar catalogue with Leaving Eden.  The Drops, who in their live shows recreate the look and feel of a turn-of-the 20th century string band but with the anachronistic addition of human “beatbox” vocal percussionist […]
Monday Morning Video: American Gun
The time has nearly arrived for the Twangville showcase, scheduled for this Saturday (10 March) in Columbia, SC! Kicking us off that night will be hometown favorites American Gun. Check out this video for “Therapy,” one of my favorite songs from 2011. The boys from American Gun will be joined by Lydia Loveless, Mooncussers and […]
Davy Jones, 1945-2012
It was another tough week for rock and roll with the passing of Davy Jones of the legendary Monkees. Whether one caught the tv series on its initial run in the 1960’s or the re-runs that followed for decades, it was hard not to smile at the group’s antics and enthusiasm. That was especially true […]
I See Hawks In L.A. – New Kind Of Lonely
Driving east out of Bakersfield you see it long before you get there, the heat shimmer distorting lines and colors, and yet somehow it kind of sneaks up on you. Â One minute you’re in civilization, the next…nowhere. Â California’s high desert has inspired musicians from Gram Parsons and the Eagles to Ted Nugent and Queens of […]