ALBUM OF THE MONTH: Murdering Oscar (and Other Love Songs), by Patterson Hood Patterson Hood’s last solo release was a somber acoustic affair. This one ain’t. In fact, this collection of songs from Hood’s archives is not dissimilar from a Drive-By Truckers release. Sure, I miss Cooley’s guitar and the Truckers triple guitar interplay. But […]
Could Neil Young Have Been the 5th Beatle?
Pete Yorn/Back & Fourth
Pete Yorn/Back & Fourth  I’m a pretty big Pete Yorn fan and was stoked when I was browsing around I-Tunes and saw the pre-order of his new album Back & Fourth a month or so ago. I didn’t pre-order, but did buy the album the day it came out, June 16th, burned a copy […]
The Legend of Michael Jackson
“I Want You Back,” “Billie Jean” and “We Are the World” are all monumental moments in pop history. But I’ll always come back to this song when I think of the talent that Michael Jackson brought to the world. If you wanna make the world a better place, take a look at yourself, and then […]
Bonnaroo 2009- Part Two
Sunday morning at Bonnaroo is always a little bit like a hangover. Weary worn festival goers are exhausted by 3 days of sleeping on ground, partying, and getting rocked by Bruce Springsteen (until well past midnight). Those that stayed up for Nine Inch Nails and Ben Harper, both of whom played late night sets that […]
Phil Pritchett – The Bullfighter Returns
Phil Pritchett, hailing from Ft. Worth, Texas is an artist who is just plain…fun. That label may lack the dynamism one would expect from a performer who is as dynamic as Pritchett is, but watch one of his videos or catch one of his video blogs, even. Once you do that, you’ll more fully appreciate […]
The Tallest Man on Earth – Live
With a name like “Tallest Man on Earth,” a few questions may come to mind. And the answer to most of them is “no.” First of all, it’s not a band but a single singer/songwriter named Kristian Matsson. No, he’s not from south, the west or the U.S. for that matter. He’s from Sweden. No, […]
Bonnaroo 2009- Part 1
My 2009 Bonnaroo adventure began over 5 years ago. My cousin, 22 at the time, was diagnosed with a rare lung condition called Pulmonary Langerhans Cell Histioctosis. Connie would struggle with both the disease and obtaining insurance in the ensuing 4 years. In June of last year, she received a double lung transplant. The transplant […]
Sarah Jarosz – Song Up In Her Head
Five years ago a skinny 13-year-old in black high tops took the stage at Old Settler’s Music Fest in Austin and proceeded to leave me, and most of the crowd, slack-jawed at her mandolin skills and innate stage presence. Fast forward to today and Sarah Jarosz has performed with some of the biggest names in […]
The Von Ehrics – Loaded
The marriage of Punk-Rock and Country music has been a fruitful union for years now. The Von Ehrics of Dallas, TX are yet another unapologetic spawn of the DNA that has produced The Supersuckers and Hank III. Loaded (Crustacean Records), which is The Von Ehrics third release, relentlessly displays their willingness to rock. Where certain […]