THE ALBUM OF THE MONTH: It was another great month for new albums. I’m calling it a draw in the album of the month category. Sirens of the Ditch, by Jason Isbell At long last, Isbell unleashes his solo debut and shows the breadth of his talents. Sure, there are rock songs like the opening […]
Best of Spring 2007, a Playlist
I’m finally getting around to sharing my favorite songs from releases in Spring. As usual, there were a few casualties trying to fit the entire list onto a single disc. Among the fallen were Loudon Wainwright III, Elliot Smith and Mando Daio. All were painful to remove, but in the end I don’t think the […]
Mayer’s Playlist for June 2007
THE ALBUM OF THE MONTH: It was a tough month for the Album of the Month… in a positive way. I couldn’t decide on a single album so this month we get two! A Year in the Wilderness, by John Doe John Doe may be one of the most under-appreciated songwriters of the day. Musically […]
Mayer’s Playlist for May 2007, A Video Companion
It’s hard to go wrong with a book-end set of Stax classics featuring Otis Redding and Sam & Dave. In between we venture into the heart of Twangville for some Gina Villalobos, Mic Harrison, Brandi Carlile and Leeroy Stagger. Throw in some Ike Reilly, Patty Hurst Shifter and Black Rebel Motorcycle Club and we’ve got […]
Mayer’s Playlist for May 2007
THE ALBUM OF THE MONTH: The Stax 50th Anniversary Celebration The Stax sound is one of American music’s greatest legacies. one of the greatest legacy’s in American music. With Booker T & the MGs — a house-band so good that they could score a #1 song on their own (with the instrumental “Green Onions”) as […]
Wilco’s “Sky Blue Sky”, Readers’ Pick
With 45% of the votes, Twangville readers chose Wilco‘s Sky Blue Sky as their favorite new album in last week’s poll. Here’s a playlist of Wilco videos both old and new to commemorate the honor.
Adam Hood, a Twangville Favorite
With 60% of the votes, Twangville readers chose Alabama native Adam Hood‘s Different Groove as the favorite new album in last week’s poll. Here’s a playlist of videos both old and new to commemorate the honor.
Mayer’s Playlist for April 2007
THE ALBUM OF THE MONTH: The Swell Season, by Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova Although it was originally released in late 2006, this album has finally taken hold of me with its quiet beauty. Glen Hansard, singer-songwriter from Ireland’s The Frames, and Marketa Irglova, a classically trained Czech musician, collaborated to create a song cycle […]
Mayer’s Playlist for March 2007
THE ALBUM OF THE MONTH: Six Black Birds, by Nathan Hamilton Although his roots are in folk and country, Austin’s Nathan Hamilton delivers a rock album extraordinaire. “Sooner or Later,” the opening track, sets a clear tone for the record. Over biting guitars and an angry backbeat Hamilton confesses, “I’ve never seen the wisdom in […]
Adam Hood/6th Street EP
Adam Hood’s 4 song EP starts off promising with the semi-rocking “Tuesday Night” in which he proclaims, “I’m always hoping for a good time/It never happens on a Tuesday night.” It’s the standout track of the disc which features mostly Edwin McCain-style vocals, acoustic guitar, bass and drums. (And if anyone would know where to […]