CD REVIEWS
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Lucinda Williams - Little Honey (2008)
For now, gone are the days of Lucinda’s acoustic, folk/country music. Here, soak in a bluesy, rootsy bar-band taking over the local saloon, tunes altering between roadhouse stomps with telecasters blaring, and smokey, hushed ballads, guitars drenched in reverb. Williams almost breathes her words, lazily, almost drunkenly carefree, drawling and infectious. The duet with Elvis Costello on “Jailhouse Tears” is a riot. So much great music she has made – more to be reviewed here. Stay tuned. GENRES: Rock, Alt Country, Mellow Rock.
BUY IF YOU LIKE: The Jayhawks, James McMurtry, John Hiatt.
MUST HEAR TRACKS: “Real Love,” “If Wishes Were Horses,” “Jailhouse Tears,” “It’s a Long Way to the Top.”
Lucinda Williams' website---->
Chris Harford - Comet (1998)
Chris Harford’s music ranges from garage band rock to acoustic folk. Comet sticks to the quieter side of his musical range, breathing a softer spirit, leading the listener on a deliberate stroll from thoughtful folk ballad to mellow rock tune and back. Harford is a fine songwriter with an engaging voice – the recording is spare, free of unnecessary adornment, allowing the depth and presence of Harford’s lyrics to take center stage. Harford is one of the most under-recognized songwriters we know of – please give him a shot. Much more to be reviewed here. GENRES: Mellow Rock, Indie Rock.
BUY IF YOU LIKE: Neil Young, Bruce Springsteen, John Hiatt.
MUST HEAR TRACKS: “Dying To Be Free,” “Long Time Friend Gone,” “Milestone.”
Chris Harford's website---->
Elliott Smith - Either/Or (1997)
Either/Or is a fine example of Elliott Smith’s unique songwriting, his “whisper” singing voice and multi-tracking harmonies drifting over complex, often schizophrenic chord progressions and song structures – indeed, his brain was wired differently. Then there is the darkness - Either/Or is a raw recording, an appropriate soundscape for the angst that appeared to plague him to the end. His psychological issues aside, Elliott Smith was a songwriter’s songwriter – he was gifted artist, a tormented soul – perhaps the two go hand-in-hand, but sometimes the most beautiful things are not all fun and games. GENRES: Rock, Mellow Rock, Contemporary Folk.
BUY IF YOU LIKE: The Beatles, Wilco, Nick Drake.
MUST HEAR TRACKS: “Alameda,” “Between The Bars,” “Angeles,” “Say Yes.”
Fan website for Elliott Smith---->
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Son Volt - Straightaways (1997)
Straightaways is a pure, honest blend of great songs: starting with alternative, melodic barroom stompers, it shifts midway, as style and tone decelerate to dusty, acoustic/alt country ballads, lead by Jay Farrar’s baritone, guttural voice. Son Volt’s stylistic comparisons to Neil Young’s early recordings are understood and warranted, with buzzing, jangly guitars and pedal steel in the background. Lyrics are typically moody and full of angst – loneliness and alienation – all of which are common themes for Farrar. Son Volt’s early work is exceptional and worth exploring – more to be covered here soon. GENRES: Alternative, Alt Country, Mellow Rock, Rock.
BUY IF YOU LIKE: The Jayhawks, Neil Young, Uncle Tupelo.
MUST HEAR TRACKS: “Caryatid Easy,” “Creosote,” “Cemetery Savior."
Son Volt's website---->
Pavement - Brighten The Corners (1997)
Brighten The Corners is typical of most Pavement releases in its sound - as with The Pixies, Yo La Tengo or Elliott Smith, the quietest, most tranquil phrases are often buttressed against an abrasive wall of guitars. Lead by Stephen Malkmus, song structures are eclectic and complex. If you find yourself tracking The Pixies’ chord structures, or trying to figure out Sonic Youth’s many tunings, these guys are for you. In which case, you probably already know about them, but who cares – Pavement was brilliant. Sample the song “Stereo” – I rest my case. Love it! More Pavement and Stephen Malkmus to be covered on this site. Stay tuned. GENRES: Alternative, Indie Rock.
BUY IF YOU LIKE: Sonic Youth, Dinosaur Jr., Cake, The Pixies/Frank Black/Black Francis, Beck, Nirvana.
MUST HEAR TRACKS: “Stereo,” “Shady Lane,” “Embassy Row.”
Pavement's Wikipedia entry---->
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TOP ROW: The Feelies, Thurston Moore (Sonic Youth), A.J. Croce.
BOTTOM ROW: Keith Richards, Tom Waits, John Gorka.
Wilco (The Album) is fairly accessible for non-hardcore devotees, but eclectic nonetheless. Wilco is never about straight-ahead songs - this CD offers pleasing, melodic tunes elbow-to-elbow with more experimental alternative tracks that harken to earlier, edgier releases. A "B+" effort from one of today's most prolific songwriting and performing bands. Related bands: Uncle Tupelo, Son Volt. GENRES: Alt Country, Rock, Mellow Rock.
BUY IF YOU LIKE: Ryan Adams, Neil Young, Son Volt.
MUST HEAR TRACKS: "Country Disappeared," "You and I," "I'll Fight."
More about Wilco, additional CDs, etc.---->
Wilco - Wilco (The Album) (2009)
Dennis Brennan is a local treasure in the Boston area – this album highlights his genre agility and focus on the “song.” The tunes here ping pong between barroom rockers and gentler ballads with lasting melodies. “Pill of Love” still sounds fresh after 10+ years of first hearing it. The quieter songs win out for me, but a really nice album overall. GENRES: Rock, Mellow Rock, Contemporary Folk.
BUY IF YOU LIKE: James McMurtry, Freedy Johnston, John Melloncamp.
MUST HEAR TRACKS: “Mighty Long Time,” “Lies,” “Pill of Love,” “Iodine in the Wine.”
Dennis Brennan's website---->
Dennis Brennan - Iodine In The Wine (1997)
Amos Lee - Amos Lee (2005)
Thirty-two year old Amos Lee’s self-titled debut is impressive – soulful, souring vocals, methodical rhythms, all sustaining songs that plant themselves firmly in Folk/Mellow Rock territory, all seasoned with R&B. The production is distinctly low-key and bare bones. Amos Lee is a young talent, and we are happy to showcase him here. Lee has two more albums that will be reviewed here later. GENRES: Contemporary Folk.
BUY IF YOU LIKE: Martin Sexton, Tracy Chapman, Ray LaMontagne.
MUST HEAR TRACKS: “Black River,” “Lies of a Lonely Friend,” “All My Friends.”
Amos Lee's website.---->
John Gorka is a 25-year veteran of folk music - a classic singer songwriter whose brand of music comfortably weaves his warm, baritone voice with light acoustic, always easy-on-the-ear melodies. Of his many albums worthy of attention, Between Five and Seven stands out as one that offers a full range of John Gorka. Lyrically, there are humor, sadness and touching confessionals; production is pretty tight and polished. More Gorka to be reviewed here later. GENRES: Contemporary Folk, Folk Rock.
BUY IF YOU LIKE: James Taylor, Richard Shindell, Greg Brown, Bill Morrissey.
MUST HEAR TRACKS: “Can’t Make My Mind,” “Blue Chalk,” “Two Good Reasons.”
John Gorka - Between Five and Seven (1996)
John Gorka's website---->
Mark Mulcahy, lead singer for Miracle Legion (a great ‘80s/’90s era indie rock band), is a truly unique songwriter and has one of my favorite singing voices, ever. Mulcahy’s wife, Melissa, died suddenly in ’08, leaving him to care for his 3-yr old twin daughters. On this tribute/benefit CD, all artists donated their time and these songs. This release reaffirms what a strong songwriter Mulcahy is, both as a solo artist and with Ray Neal in Miracle Legion. Includes songs by Michael Stipe, Frank Black, Thom Yorke, Dinosaur Jr, Mercury Rev, Vic Chestnut, Josh Rouse, Syd Straw, Ben Kweller, Juliana Hatfield, Buffalo Tom, Joe Purdy, and many more.
Ciao My Shining Star - The Songs of Mark Mulcahy (2009)
Mark Mulcahy's website------>
The fact that Joe Purdy’s songs are occasionally used as background filler for network TV series (“Lost,” “Grey’s Anatomy”) makes me a weary of the direction from which this guy comes and/or is heading, but I can only focus on this CD - it’s all I’ve heard, but I like it. The low-key, stripped-down production is appropriate for these songs, which fall somewhere between Ryan Adams and old Neil Young. The somewhat raw arrangement and deliberate nature of the song progression create a hazy, late-night atmosphere that is intriguing. GENRES: Contemporary Folk, Folk Rock.
BUY IF YOU LIKE: Neil Young, Ryan Adams, Ben Harper (acoustic).
MUST HEAR TRACKS: “Let Me Sing To You,” “Brown Suits and Cadillacs,” “Miss Me,” “Last Clock on the Wall.”
Joe Purdy - Last Clock on the Wall (2009)
Joe Purdy's website--------->
For subdudes fans, this latest release may offer some interest – Flower Petals explores a loose thematic scheme of a dead soldier in days gone by. Production is typically spare, and they do offer up some typically nice songs. This release feels like it was made as much for the band themselves as for the listening audience. Some nice tunes here – themes aside, for new subdudes fans, buy Behind The Levee (above) or Street Symphony before this one. The band is so good – best to get hooked on their many, many gems first. GENRES: Folk Rock, Mellow Rock.
BUY IF YOU LIKE: The Radiators, The Doobie Brothers (unplugged, were there such a thing).
MUST HEAR TRACKS: “Standing Water," "Barley in the Silo," "Pretty False Front," "Town Square."
the subdudes - Flower Petals (2009)
the subdudes' website---->
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There is an enormous amount of amazing music out there, most of which has never become mainstream. More serious music fans may know many of the artists featured here - others may be hearing them for the first time.
CD Reviews = great albums that we highly recommend
Must Hear = the very very best of the great albums that we highly recommend
