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. […]
Recent Articles
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’ […]
Sunday Sermon: This Ain’t Yo Mama’s Gospel
Well, the Rapture didn’t happen yesterday, but that don’t mean the Lord ain’t comin back one day. So, if you can’t make it to Church on Sundays, come here for your Jesus fix in a […]
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 […]
Well, the Rapture didn’t come….
I was waiting all day for Jesus to arrive, but it didn’t happen. Strand of Oaks looks enough like him to suffice for now. The apocalyptically appropriate, “End in Flames” from the album Leave Ruin
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 […]
Flashback Friday! Oh so wrong, yet oh so right – Glen Campbell’s "Southern Nights"
Every Friday I will bring you a very dated track in a section called “Flashback Fridays.” The 80s weren’t a good time for anyone. But, buried in the rough of cheesy over-production, we often find […]
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 […]
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