Essential Albums — Van Dyke Parks: Song Cycle
I first heard Van Dyke Park’s Song Cycle at the age of sixteen. It was the first “Americana” album I ever listened to. Of course at the time, I had no idea what Americana was. […]
Reviews
John Prine: In Person and On Stage
For those of you who live in LA, John Prine will be playing June 10 at the Orpheum Theatre. Tickets can be purchased here. His most recent release, In Person and On Stage is a […]
Nashville Country Jamboree
When I first came across this album, I figured it would be a cheesy novelty record. With a name Nashville Country Jamboree (touted as Nashville’s First Country-Rock Group) and one hell of a lame lookin’ […]
The Felice Brothers: Yonder is the Clock
The Felice Brothers are self-taught. From upstate New York, they moved to Brooklyn and began playing at the 42nd street subway station. They would eventually go on to play festivals all over the country and […]
The Low Anthem: Smart Flesh
Finally! Something different! The Low Anthem started out playing homemade instruments in a church basement. Smart Flesh is their first studio project. Yet, it was recorded in an abandoned factory. Go figure. This is a […]
The Punch Brothers: Antifogmatic
Chris Tileman is one hell of a mandolin player. I’ll give him that. Produced by the amazingly talented, Jon Brion (I Heart Huckabees), the Punch Brother’s latest, Antifogmatic is Quasi-meets-bluegrass. It makes for an interesting […]
The Civil Wars: Barton Hollow
I like the sound of this band. I do. John Paul White and Joy Williams offer up pleasant folk harmonies, minimal production, acoustic guitar centered roots music. They’re on to something, they just haven’t gotten […]
Merle Haggard: I Am What I Am
The Hagg tells it like it is with his latest album, I Am What I Am. Arguably the greatest country singer/songwriter of all time, there just ain’t no one like him. I am What I […]
HA HA Tonka: Death of a Decade
With the release of their third album, Death of a Decade, Missouri based indie band, HA HA Tonka are a little bit C86, a little bit country. Their sound is a blend of jangly Smiths-esque […]
Steve Martin and the Steep Canyon Rangers: Rare Bird Alert
On his latest release, Rare Bird Alert, Martin has teamed up with former North Carolina pickin’ buddies, The Steep Canyon Rangers to give us yet another kickass bluegrass album. Not only is it a fine […]
Alison Krauss and Union Station: Paper Airplane
Alison Krauss – I respect you? But I don’t want to listen to you. I want to like this album. I really do. Because it’s the only album high up the country charts with any […]
Paul Simon: So Beautiful or So What
How many aged musicians put out shit that’s as good as what they did in their heyday? When legends like Brian Wilson, Paul McCartney or Bob Dylan release a new record, there isn’t much to […]
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