Ocean Carolina, the musical outlet for singer-songwriter Michael Simone, have released a pair of enthralling albums. Maudlin Days, their most recent, made my list of favorite releases last year. As the title suggests, Simone excels at writing songs that conjure up cloudy days and melancholy daydreams. Here is “All I Can Do,” the leadoff track, […]
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 […]
Mea Culpa! A Special Summer Playlist, Part 3
Hard Work, Christopher Paul Stelling (from the Anti Records release Labor Against Waste) Count Labor Against Waste among the most powerful albums that you’ll hear this year. Wandering troubadour Stelling uses his songs to offer taut social commentary, peering into human intentions and sharing pointed perspectives on life’s opportunities and challenges. The mesmerizing ballad “Scarecrow” […]
Mayer’s Playlist for Feb/Mar 2014, Part 1
I suppose that Lydia Loveless could have gone in two directions after 2011’s outstanding Indestructible Machine…