ALBUM OF THE MONTH: New Magnetic Wonder, by The Apples in Stereo After a five year hiatus, the Apples return with their best album yet. Album opener “Can You Feel It” sets the stage with a burst of merriment, with an energetic cowbell-anchored beat to the ELO and Buggles (remember them?) style vocals on the […]
The Return of Matthew Sweet?
Matthew Sweet’s 1991 album Girlfriend burst through like a breath of fresh air. During a time when grunge ruled the airwaves and Nirvana was leading the charge, Sweet took the roughness of grunge and married it with southern California harmonies and pop sensibilities. Sweet has quietly reemerged in recent years, most notably collaborating with Susanna […]
Last Train Home, Looking Back
Here’s a brief follow up from the Last Train Home cd release party at IOTA in Alexandria, VA on February 17, 2007. I don’t have a full review from the Last Train Home show ’cause I was just having too much fun to worry about breaking down the show into a blog post. You’ll have […]
Life’s a Beach, a Playlist
I created this playlist a few years back when it was the middle of winter and I was sick with a case of cabin fever. Now, as February comes to an end, its time again to escape to happy thoughts of sand beneath my toes, a warm breeze blowing by and a fragrant hint of […]
Mayer’s Playlist for January 2007
ALBUM OF THE MONTH: Engagement, by Dennis Brennan Boston-based Brennan kicks of the year with a combination of studio recordings and live performances that showcase his broad musical range. He shifts seamlessly from rock (“Sugar Falls”) to country (Merle Haggard’s “You Don’t Have Very Far to Go”) and rhythm and blues (“It Ain’t What You […]
Southern Culture on the Skids, Album Preview
Southern Culture on the Skids, Countrypolitan Favorites (Yep Roc) I got the opportunity to see SCOTS last year in San Francisco for the first time. They are fantastic live. I got hit by a flying piece of fried chicken and I loved it. I don’t know much about the new album but I expect it […]
Twangville is Waylon Jennings
According to Brody over at The 9513, our Golden Age of country music counterpart is Waylon Jennings. A fine choice I might add. Twangville – Waylon Jennings When Waylon Jennings was fed up with the way Nashville did business he was introduced to Willie Nelson, and together the two began what is now known as […]
Careless Hearts, On the Radar
Check out San Franscisco Bay Area twangers, Careless Hearts. The foursome lead by the songwriting and vocals of Paul Kimball consists of guitars (Paul Kimball and Derek See), bass (Rob Miller) and drums (Craig Heitkam). Their self-titled debut is full of sad songs influenced by traditional country songbooks juxtaposed with rockin’ twang channeling the likes […]
Last Train Home, CD Release Shows
The former DC-based now Nashville-based band Last Train Home comes home to the Capitol City this weekend for a series of CD release shows. I gotta get my priorities straight and hit one of these shows. Its “bound” to be a historic weekend in honor of the decade old band’s fifth full-length release. @ IOTA […]
Bottle Rockets in So. Fla.
Good concerts come to my South Florida town about as often as cold fronts. The dearth of viable venues south of the Carolinas and the unusual length of the peninsula discourage artists from making the long trip. Sure, the major acts fly in from time to time. You can still watch the Billy Joel hit […]