Brad Armstrong — Empire
If there was an award for atmosphere, Brad Armstrong’s new release, Empire, would be a shoe-in. From the opening cricket chirps, sounding like a ghostly patch of road, we know we’re not in for an easy ride. Armstrong is best…
Robbie Fulks — Upland Stories
800 is a nice round number, and so it is with pleasure that for my 800th post, I present Robbie Fulks’ remarkable album, Upland Stories. Fulks has a long and storied career that I’m going to have to investigate. Regardless…
VIDEO: The Paisley Fields — “Brooklyn Rodeo”
The Paisley Fields are two-stepping it up with their video for “Brooklyn Rodeo.” It features lead singer James Wilson in a dashing suit, Anna Volpe in a dashing cut-off, and the rest of the band in dashing plaid, and some…
FREE MUSIC: Single from Hotbreath Tea
This isn’t such a recent release anymore, I guess, but it’s a great track to put you in the mood for spring. (Unless you live in New York City right now. In which case, it’s a great track to make…
Laura Jean Anderson — Righteous Girl
Laura Jean Anderson’s debut EP, Righteous Girl, reads like a showcase for Anderson’s impressive vocals. The slinky grooves of “Take Me In” and “It Won’t be Long” lull us into the expectation that Anderson belongs with the honey-voiced (but impressive)…
Left Arm Tan — Lorene
If the true measure of a country album is its ability to craft wistful songs of heartbreak and lonely travel, then Lorene is surely a winner. Clocking in at 16 songs, Lorene is a carefully controlled tour of Texas alt-country.…
VIDEO: Jackie Venson — Always Free
Blues guitarist extraordinaire Jackie Venson recently released a video for my favorite song off her album, The Light in Me. Check it out below: Jackie Venson — Official, Facebook, Soundcloud, Purchase from CDBaby, iTunes
Alyssa Kai — contingency
contingency is not an easy album to listen to, but it’s a necessary one. It’s not so hard to write a song that people enjoy partying to. It’s a little harder to write a song that other people can connect…