Jackie Greene peforms “Sweet Somewhere Bound” off of last year’s re-release album of the same name. A Clip from “Broken Hearts, Dusty Roads” DVD –circa 2004. His latest, American Myth, is already on my short list for Album of the Year. If you haven’t heard it yet, get off yer hind quarters and go to […]
Rock Kills Kid, On the Radar
[audio:http://download.wbr.com/RKK/download/RKK-Hideaway(Acoustic).mp3] Here’s an acoustic version of “Hideaway” from Los Angeles based alternative rock band, Rock Kills Kid. Look for this track on their latest effort Are You Nervous?. Created with the help of producer Mark Trombino (Jimmy Eat World and Blink-182) this album will appeal to fans of the Killers, Arctic Monkeys or Snow Patrol. […]
Beirut – “Gulag Orkestar”
Here in the Land ‘O Twang, we like to keep our roots in guitar-driven tunes, however, today I propose that we expand our current understanding of the term ‘twang’ to include ukulele-centered music as well.  Allow me to introduce you to the band Beirut.  Here’s their song “Postcards From Italy” which is currently tearing up the blogs: [audio:http://www.beirutband.com/mp3/Beruit_Postcards%20From%20Italy.mp3] Led […]
Notable Releases: 16 May 2006
Powder Burns, The Twilight Singers You may remember Greg Dulli as the driving force behind the late Afghan Whigs. DullisThe Whigs established their credibility by crafting pop-based melodies in an aggressive and theatrical rock format. There was little coincidence that the production credits were positioned as theatrical credits: Dulli imbibes his music with a cinematic […]
Tom’s Pick of the Week, Josh Ritter
The Animal Years has been highly anticipated for some time now. You’ll find this album reminiscent of the folkier side of Bruce Springsteen and more recently Ryan Adams but with better vocals, at least in my opinion. So far this year, this is the best Folk album I’ve listened to. A full album stream is […]
The Wood Brothers – Ways Not To Lose
The Wood Brothers released their first official album recently. Until now all that had been available were bootlegs of live shows that were only attainable through generous friends. Their new album is titled “Ways Not To Lose” and was released by Blue Note records, the same label that has claim over bassist Chris Wood’s other […]
Party Like It’s 1899
In the 200 years since Irish-Scots settlers crossed the broad Atlantic, their instruments, tunes and stories have dramatically affected the music of the Appalachian region, an antecedent of many of the rootsy styles we lovingly call “Twang.” Irish Folk and traditional Celtic music is a proud living tradition, rich in history, poetic, entertaining, and intensely […]
Notable Releases: March 7, 2006
Its a big week for releases and here are a few top picks… Centro-matic, Fort Recovery Will Johnson could be rock’s most prolific songwriter. He has consistently put out several albums each year under his own name and with the bands South San Gabriel and Centro-Matic. Its the last incarnation that is behind this new […]
Listen to KT Tunstall’s “Eye to the Telescope”
Check out up and coming folk pop star KT Tunstall’s full release “Eye to the Telescope” on ARTISTdirect.com. Its so refreshing to see someone new to the pop scene that carries some solid songwriting, outstanding acoustic guitar and bluesy vocals. For her, I’m going to start an early campaign for Best New Artist of 2006. […]
New Releases from Shawn Mullins & more
Only one release really shines for me this week, but it shine, shine it does like a full moon on a clear night. My pick of the week: Shawn Mullins 9th Ward Pickin’ Parlor (Vanguard) acoustic, folk, americana Referring to the New Orleans home studio of old friend Mike West, the title of the album […]