June 18, 2008 • 11:35 am 1
I talked about My Morning Jacket’s new album last week, but I failed to mention Railroad Earth’s new album, Amen Corner, which was released last week as well. I’ve really been enjoying it; it’s one of those I can put on repeat for hours.
Go to Jambase review of Amen Corner >
Go to Railroad Earth’s web site >
Filed under: Album Reviews, Entertainment, Music
June 11, 2008 • 1:11 pm 0
After giving the new album a couple listens today, I think my favorite track happens to be the first release, “I’m Amazed.” I’m liking the album a lot. The only track that has me racing to the <next track> button is track 3, “Highly Suspicious.”
Go to video details at Youtube >
Go to Radio Cure’s track by track review of the album >
I’ve updated the Upcoming Shows page with some new shows and a couple corrections.
Filed under: Album Reviews, Entertainment, General, Video, Video of the Day
April 14, 2008 • 10:42 am 1
My only excuse is that I don’t do this for a living. A Best of 2007 list released in mid-April of 2008 is the definition of procrastination, but I have a great excuse for my procrastination as most do. It’s been a busy year with my real job, and that’s the damned truth. Not only busy, but insanely busy and abroad –spending more time away from home than at home for the first couple months of the year . (I highly recommend Sydney.)
I think I can finally say what my favorite albums of 2007 are, and it’s not that I was really that indecisive; it’s that I just really hadn’t had enough free time to hear all the albums I knew I needed to hear before forming such a list. There are a few albums in my top 10 that I had not heard as of December 31, 2007.
But alas, I can finally say that these are my favorite albums of 2007:
1) The Avett Brothers - Emotionalism
2) Radiohead – In Rainbows
3) Iron and Wine – The Shepherd’s Dog
4) Bright Eyes – Cassadaga
That’s the cream of the crop in my opinion. They are all interchangeable. Then there’s another level of albums from 15-20 that are also interchangeable…
5) The Felice Brothers – Tonight at the Arizona
6) Nathan Moore – In His Own Words
6) Band of Horses – Cease To Begin
7) Willy Mason – If the Ocean Gets Rough
8) Backyard Tire Fire – Vagabonds And Hooligans
9) Josh Ritter – The Historical Conquests of Josh Ritter
10) Julie Lee – Take Me Out To Hear The Band
11) Feist – The Reminder
12) Modest Mouse – We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank
13) Amy LaVere – Anchors & Anvils
14) Fionn Regan – The End of History
15) Lucinda Williams – West
16) Great Lake Swimmers – Ongiara
17) Ryan Adams – Easy Tiger
18) Sharon Jones and the Dapkings – 100 Days, 100 Nights
19) Hoots & Hellmouth – selftitled
20) Sonvolt - The Search
Those of you that requested the Best of 2007 CD and have not received it yet, it’s on the way. Expect it next week, because I plan to finish all shipping this weekend.
Filed under: Album Reviews, Entertainment, Music
October 12, 2007 • 2:49 pm 0
Band of Horses was on NPR this morning.
Go to the story and links other BOH things at NPR >
Radio Cure did a great review of the album today. It’ hard to beat my “haunting” description, but somehow he topped that. Go to the review >
[Note: I think my awesome use of "haunting" to describe the album might have popped in my head when the listening to the track "Is There a Ghost." That's my story and I'm sticking to it.]
Filed under: Album Reviews, Entertainment, Music
October 10, 2007 • 12:50 am 10
Because I couldn’t narrow it to 10. These are my top albums of 2007 thus far. I’m interested to see if/how the list will change in the next two months. The great thing about lists is that they always spawn, “no, you missed ___!” from someone, which is a good thing.
The Avett Brothers Emotionalism – This album is my favorite of the past two or three years. Within one hour of listening to this album, I had purchased every other album in this band’s catalog, and I’ve enjoyed it all.
Band of Horses Cease to Begin – I’ve been listening to this album for only a couple days, and I’m loving it. The vocals and overall sound are haunting.
Bright Eyes Cassadaga – As I said in my review of this album, I think it’s a masterpiece. The songwriting is where it starts, but Conner Oberst and crew have a sound that pushes this album to the next level. Horns, strings, keys, and voices, oh my! Bright Eyes will be at The Orpheum in Memphis next month.
Nathan Moore In His Own Words - I’ve been listening to Nathan’s music for almost a decade. Thamusemeant came through Oxford in 2000, and I fell in love with Aimee Curl’s voice. Long after they left town, I am still listening to their albums and have come to the realization that Aimee is my favorite female vocalist alive. At some point in those seven years of listening to Thamusemeant, I realized that I’m not just in love with Aimee’s vocals; I am also a big fan of Nathan’s lyrics. This album confirms what I always knew. Surrounded by his Frogville family, Nathan really puts it all together here.
Iron and Wine The Shepard’s Dog - If this album was a meal, I would borrow a phrase from friend and local food writer John T. Edge who I once heard describe a dish by saying, “the flavors just pop in my mouth.” The flavors of this album pop. There’s a lot going on here, but somehow it flows so effortlessly. Anyone who ever dismissed Iron and Wine as too slow and boring needs to come back to the trough. I would even go so far as to describe a few of the tracks on this album “fast paced.” The fact of the matter is that Sam Beam, one of the best songwriters/musicians of our time, is evolving…in a good way.
Backyard Tire Fire Vagagonds And Hooligans - A band I had never heard of until Honest Tune and Proud Larry’s brought them here in the spring. This album has this great ability to feel raw and polished at the same time. The sound is amazing and the songs are well crafted, and I can’t ask for much more than that.
Josh Ritter The Historical Conquests of Josh Ritter – I’ve been an M. Ward fan for a couple years, and Josh reminds me a lot of his style. I love it (obviously, or the album wouldn’t be on list), but it’s hard to define why I love it. The sound is a bit indie, but it just boils down to great musicianship and vocals. At times, it has the feel of something that would have been recorded in the 50′s.
Feist The Reminder – Did someone say great vocals? I’m a huge fan of great female vocalists, and I was first introduced to Feist a couple years ago by a friend who saw her open for Bright Eyes at The Ryman in Nashville. I’ve been impressed from day one, and I think this album was a great second step for Leslie Feist (the Apple commercial isn’t hurting the career either, I’m sure). I will throw her into the list of my favorite living female vocalists. She, Jolie Holland, Madeleine Peyroux, Aimee Curl, Rosamond Posey, Julie Lee, Felicia Ford, and Norah Jones would be where I would start.
Railroad Earth Elko - When jam-grass is executed to perfection, it’s a beautiful thing. Upbeat. Great vocals and lyrics. And there’s just something about great banjo. This is “get down” music. [Edit: I was mistaken on this one. It was released in 2006.]
Julie Lee Take Me Out To Hear The Band – Julie has an elegance that makes me think of a time when people said “dame.” As in, “Julie Lee is quite a dame.” Sometimes I just can’t resist comparisons, and this is one of those times. She sounds a lot like Billie Holliday and Madeline Peyroux to me. And while she is an amazing performer, her greatest strength may lie in her songwriting.
Modest Mouse We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank – One thing that I always look for in a band is “something different.” My favorite bands (Calexico, Thamusemeant, The Avette Brothers) can not be pinned down to one definition or category. Saying “there’s no other band that sounds exactly like this band” is a great compliment for a band, in my opinion. I feel like I can say that about those bands, and I feel like I can say it about Modest Mouse.
With a couple months left, some upcoming/new albums on my “to buy list” that could creep into this top albums list are new offerings from Taarka and Red Stick Ramblers. If forthcoming Rocket 88 and Hundred Year Flood albums are released in 2007, I’m sure they’ll be hard to leave off of an end of year list as well.
Honorable Mention (with love): Amy LaVere (Anchors and Anvils), Daybreakdown (Shine Like Rust), Fionn Regan (The End of History), Goshen (Lioness), Mayhem String Band (Rapscallions and Ne’erdowells), Tyler Keith (Do You Wanna Dance?), Lucinda Williams (West) and Son Volt (The Search).
Filed under: Album Reviews, Entertainment, Music
August 19, 2007 • 12:47 pm 0
In the Jam Band/Southern Rock scene, bands that can put on a great live show are plentiful. Bands that can actually write great songs are a little harder to find. Bands that can record a great album are even more uncommon.
With Shine Like Rust, Daybreakdown has proven that they can accomplish all three of those musical milestones. From the first note, this album has the feel of an energized and confident band ready to step into the next phase of their career.
Each time I listen to this album, I have a new favorite track. The first song, Rearview, gets things started in grand fashion. Sometimes and Lights, two songs on which Carlton, McClary, Raburn, Stone, and Turan are joined by Gin Gin Abraham on vocals, have been a couple of live favorites for a while, and they do not disappoint here. I have a weak spot for great female vocals, so it’s no surprise that those are among my favorites. Lights also features Blue Mountain’s Cary Hudson on guitar and was co-written by Hudson and Stone.
The writing team of McClary and Chris Steiner of The Mayhem String Band churned out a couple of great songs, No Matter How it Comes and Sometimes. The Mayhem presence can also be felt on another of my favorites, Poorboy, featuring the banjo of J.T. Lack, mandolin of Kevin Larkin, and backup vocals of Abraham.
Daybreakdown has welcomed the guest artists on this album to the stage many times at live performances, so it’s no surprise that in the studio the sound remains that of a fully cohesive unit when the guests join them. This is an album that has staying power, and I feel it confirms that Daybreakdown is a force with which to be reckoned in the Southern Rock world.
The album is available at iTunes and CD Baby.
[For fans of Allman Brothers, The Band, The Black Crowes, Drivin' N' Cryin']
Upcoming Daybreakdown tour dates:
8/25 The Library – Oxford, MS
8/29 Two Stick – Oxford, MS
9/6 Rick’s Cafe Americain – Starkville, Miss. *w/ Outformation
(Honest Tune Magazine Southern Rock Revival Series)
9/7 Proud Larry’s – Oxford, MS
9/9 Taylor Grocery – Taylor, MS. *Acoustic Breakdown
9/13 The Varsity – Baton Rouge, LA *w/ Benjy Davis Project
9/14 Hal & Mal’s – Jackson, MS *w/ Jason Isbell
9/15 Bourbon Mall – Leland, MS
9/27 Mellow Mushroom – Tuscaloosa, AL
9/28 Bud & Alley’s – Seaside, FL
9/29 Bud & Alley’s – Seaside, FL
10/3 Mugshots – Hattiesburg, MS
10/4 Art’s Shed House – Meridian, MS
10/5 Government Street Grocery – Ocean Springs, MS
10/6 Dave’s Dark Horse Tavern – Starkville, MS
10/17 Two Stick – Oxford, MS
10/30 Midtown Music Hall – Chattanooga, TN *After Widespread Panic
11/1 Home Team BBQ – Charleston, SC
11/15 Pickled Okra – Cleveland, MS
Click here for Daybreakdown’s Myspace.
Mayhem String Bands also has a great new album, Rapscallions and Ne’erdowells, available at iTunes and CD Baby.
Click here for Mayhem String Band’s Myspace.
Filed under: Album Reviews, Entertainment, Music, Upcoming Shows
June 25, 2007 • 2:18 pm 0
I asked some of Oxford’s musicians what albums they are listening to these days.
1. The White Stripes – Icky Thump
- Good to see that they’re bringing back the rock. “Rag and Bone” and “Conquest” are my personal favorites on the record.
2. Klaxons – Myths of the Near Future
- Top-notch mashup of rock and roll and dance music. The opening synth line of “It’s Not Over Yet” is mean as hell (in a good way).
3. Snowden – Anti Anti
- Gloomy post-punk from ATL, the drum sounds and reverbed guitars are awesome. I heard about them through myspace about a year ago, now they’re opening for the Kings of Leon. Definitely worth a listen.
4. Project Pat – Crook By Da Book: The Fed Story
- What can I say, I have a weakness for Memphis rap. This is what I put on when I’m bored and riding around town…..it’d be a whole lot better if I had subwoofers.
5. The Sleepwalkers – Dead and I Like It (EP) and Baby Baby (EP)
- I gotta represent for the home team, these guys have it going on. Good solid rock songs with shoutable choruses. Check them out around town…..
1. Hound Dog Taylor & the Houserockers – Natural Boogie
- This is a staple in my collection, and I pull it out about once a year or so. I’m a fan of all of his few records, but this is the one I usually go to. It’s really just hard to beat “Take Five,” “See Me in the Evening” and “Roll Your Moneymaker.” This is as visceral as anything can be.
2. Wilco – Sky Blue Sky
- This is in my car and I haven’t had much chance to listen to it more than once. I like the arrangements and the production values, which have a “real” feel. I also like the songwriting a lot. I dug the last few albums and the dissonant passages, but I found I didn’t really feel like playing those songs over and over. I think Jeff Tweedy’s a great songwriter, and I like that being at the forefront.
3. ZZ Top – Rio Grande Mud
- This is something I listen to at home, because it’s on vinyl, which is really the only way to listen to ZZ Top. Simply perfection. Most people ignore or dismiss them because they just think of them as a silly MTV thing, but I’ll put First Album and Rio Grande Mud up against anybody.
4. Tarkio – Brewer & Shipley
- Ever want to hear what the hippie dream could have been if it were done with taste and unique harmonies? This is it. Most people have heard their famous song “One Toke Over the Line,” but this album is great top to bottom. Two excellent songwriter folkies with acoustic guitars, singing mesmerizing harmonies, backed by guys from the Butterfield Blues Band (or at least that’s what I’ve read). It’s out of print. You may have to find it on vinyl on eBay. I got in on CD about 10 years ago, but that’s out of print now.
5. Todd Snider – Peace, Love & Anarchy
- One of my top favorite artists. All his albums are great. This is just a new collection of “rareties and B-sides,” mostly acoustic. It’s not bad, but it’s not the starting point for anyone who wants to check out Snider and hasn’t heard him. This is what you’d read a review of and it would probably say it’s only for hardcore fans and “completists.” I like it a lot, since I really like to hear Todd playing acoustic or with limited arrangements.
1. Regina Spektor – Begin To Hope
2. Bright Eyes – Cassadaga (click here for the Music Snob review)
3. Damien Jurado – And Now That I’m In Your Shadow
4. D’angelo – Voodoo
5. Wilco – Sky Blue Sky (click here for the short Music Snob review)
Filed under: Album Reviews, Music, Musicians' Picks
June 17, 2007 • 5:18 pm 0
Quick Reviews of the Last 5 Albums I Purchased
Railroad Earth – Elko
Goshen – Circus Wife
Feist – The Reminder
The Avett Brothers – Emotionalism
Wilco – Sky Blue Sky
These reviews don’t go into a lot of detail, but they give a good idea of what I think about my latest music purchases.
Filed under: Album Reviews, Music
May 22, 2007 • 5:58 pm 0
The energy of this album is uplifting. The next time I’m trying to work but feeling a little lazy, rather than reach for the coffee cup, I’m going to crank this album up. If I’m still not energized, I’m taking a nap, because it’s a lost cause. To make up for the lack of a drummer at live shows, these guys scatter tambourines on the floor of the stage and stomp around while playing. Now that sounds like something I’d like to see and hear. I might do a little stomping myself.
Filed under: Album Reviews, Music
May 6, 2007 • 10:59 pm 0
I’ll cut to the chase. I think this album is a masterpiece. Conor Oberst is one of the most brilliant song writers of this era, but sometimes the music and sound gets a little too weird for me. He finally made an album just for me it seems, with only one track that’s slightly annoying. I do understand that to write with such brilliance, a little weirdness has to be there and must show its face occasionally. On this album, that track is the first track. It reminds me of the Wilco noise tracks that seem to be there just to add some imperfection. Conner says in a podcast interview that he put it there because it “makes the listener understand that it’s not going to be instant gratification all the time.” That’s fine. I have no problem with that, because after that track, this album settles into a beautiful sound, backing Conner’s vocals with some great combinations of violin, horns, lap steel, female vocals and organ. Read the rest of this entry »
Filed under: Album Reviews, Music
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