BJ Barham, American Aquarium frontman, recently released his first solo album. Not surprisingly, all of the important things about American Aquarium are here — beautiful lyrics, hard-hitting songs. The main difference is that I don’t think the songs on Rockingham…
Kelsey Waldon’s sophomore release brings us back to the days when country music was plainspoken. Waldon, an East Nashville transplant from the tobacco town of Monkey’s Eyebrow, KY (really), knows how to craft a tune that is honest and sincere.…
Though the hail from Brooklyn, there’s nothing smarmy or ironic about Tatters & Rags’ debut album. The band’s traditional(-ish) take on country and irreverent personality is reminiscent of Girls on Grass, with whom they often share a stage. My first…
Bishops frontman Tucker Riggleman is a busy guy. Having released his own album recently, he’s loaned his talents to Azores’ debut full-length album, Copper Beach. If Dream Easy was a tsunami of id, Copper Beach is a study in anxiety.…
Sara Rachele made jaws drop last year with her heartrending EP, Madison County. If you haven’t had a chance to listen to “Rebecca,” do that, and then when you’re done, come back here. Cool. So in the intervening year, Rachele…
Now that I’ve had a number of Life Things resolved I am very excited to get this blog back on track. In honor of my birthday, I’m giving YOU a present in the form of the Paisley Fields’ newest music…
When I took the record out of its sleeve, it was badly warped and had strange, rune-like markings along the vinyl. I threw it on my record player anyway. The sound came out herky-jerky, like an old recording from the…
If you’re looking for a pick-me-up, Fire Hot Opera will cure what ails you. The neo-“Broadway Soul” of the six-piece band is truly unique. The album is meant to be played as one continuous track (though you can listen to…