The Americans - I'll Be Yours

We generally make up our own minds around here.  In fact, we are quite comfortable with our enviable position as one of the premier tastemakers in indie music [citation needed].  But that doesn't mean that we ignore the opinions of other worthies in searching for good new music.  And when T. Bone Burnett and Jack White, among others, recognize a band's talent, we are content to be followers for a day.  And that brings us to The Americans -- a band whose interest in pre-war Americana roots music has broadened into an appealing brand of roots rock.  A brand that reflects rockabilly, country, blues, Americana, roots rock and swaggering rock and roll.  We featured the band's The Right Stuff EP a couple of months ago (link), and were pleasantly surprise that a full LP --  I'll Be Yours -- is available so soon.  Energetic stompers, roadhouse anthems, and slow-burning ballads showcase a band with deep understanding of their influences and formidable talent and commitment.  The songwriting is as strong as the performances are sincere.  And while the album impresses from the opening notes of the upbeat "Nevada", it still manages to be a 'grower', revealing depth with repeated listens.  The Americans have landed.

The Americans are Patrick Ferris (vocals/guitar), Jake Faulkner (bass), and Zac Sokolow (guitar).  I'll Be Yours is out now in vinyl, digital and CD formats via Loose Records.








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The Deslondes - Hurry Home

On Hurry Home, the sophomore album from The Deslondes, we find the band broadening their country rock palette to embrace more electrification and some R&B.  And it suits the New Orleans quintet very nicely.  Make no mistake, the "country" remains in evidence throughout, and the loose arrangements and drawling vocals emphasize the bands roots.  But we expect that the broader and more robust sound will do nothing to alienate existing fans and may well earn them an expanded audience.

One of the strengths of The Deslondes is having five songwriters and four lead vocalists, giving the band a variety of perspectives and approaches.  Overall, the album doesn't prompt foot-stomping as much as involuntary head nodding and appreciative smiles.  Anyone who spends time away from home, family and friends, and longs to get back, will appreciate the gospel inflected title track.  But once that gem is appreciated, the listener will want to dive into the delicious break-up song "She Better Be Lonely", the bubbling "Nelly", the rollicking "Hurricane Shakedown", the vamping "Many Poor Boy", or one of the other songs.  There is something for everyone here, and we think it goes down well for any picnic or backyard gathering.  BYOB.

The Deslondes are Sam Doores, Riley Downing, Dan Cutler, Cameron Snyder, and John James Tourville.  Hurry Home is out now via New West.










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The Foghorns - ... on a Dog's Ass Sometimes

I was thinking today (hence the splitting headache), Seattle is a city on the shore of a body of salt water with a major port and a fair amount of fog and mist, so it really should have a band called The Foghorns.  Then I remembered, Seattle does have a band named The Foghorns.  And while some members are from other places, including New York, exotic Iceland and even more exotic, Wisconsin (as is the writer of this feature), they are ours for now.  However, they seem to be planning to disband, and their new record is meant to be part 2 of their farewell album.  They may change their minds, but in case they don't, this album is a total joy, and the digital is only $5

The Foghorns are a generous band, and when they get a good idea, they give their listeners two shots instead of one.  Hence, there are two songs where the title references a motor vehicle, two songs with 'dirty old man' in the lyrics, two songs with a style of dance in the title, and two songs that reference a foreign location.  They are a bit of a musical Noah's Ark, I suppose.  It is true that only one song title references Jesus, but the band probably figured he could carry the load solo.  The gang has great taste as well -- "Spanish Accusations" is a cover of Jon Rooney's song, that was one of my favorites from the Secret Kids album by his Virgin Of The Birds project last year.  Enjoy a stream below.  But first, a farewell project deserves a full list of credits:

Bart Cameron: vocals, guitars, harmonica 
Jason Kopec: drums, pots and pans 
Ken Nottingham: bass 
Lauren Trew: bass clarinet, vocals 
Colin Nelson: choir-leader, drums, percussion 
Matthew Ploszaj: choir 
Casey Ruff: choir 
Peter Colclasure: piano, accordion 
Paul Beaudry is in the choir, but does not appear on this recording 
Elin (Ella) Cameron: appears at times on the recording 
Recorded by Colin J. Nelson at Her Car Studios. Mastered by Carl Saff.




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"Bad Feeling" by Skin and Bones

Skin & Bones honed their sound busking in Southern California.  The core of the group is Taylor Borsuk, who sings and plays guitar, and Peter Blackwelder, who plays the violin both in conventional and less conventional ways.  For live shows, they sometimes call upon Amir Oosman (drums) and Bruce Stone (bass) to flesh out the sound.  Their sound is bluesy, folky, and lo-fi.  A particularly good introduction is the band' new single.  Why is it a good introduction?  Two reasons: (1) Very good song and very well performed; and (2) Free download.  We have the Soundcloud stream with a download button below, as well as a video of Taylor and Peter performing "Bad Feeling" and "Fire".  You also can check out their 2013 LP Someday Soon at their website link (the digital download is 'name your price').  Personally, I have a good feeling about this "Bad Feeling".






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Kent Goolsby & The Gold Standard - No Substitute For Handsome

Kent Goolsby and I both understand that there is no substitute for handsome.  And in a parallel fashion, I'm sure we've both enjoyed the fruits of our random good genetic fortune.  Our paths diverge, however, because Kent and friends, under the banner Kent Goolsby & The Gold Standard, also can write and perform a set of songs that will make you smile, make you sigh, make you and your loved one want to hug each other, and clear up your seasonal allergies.  On the other hand, if I fronted The Gold Standard the product would be listenable only if the product consisted of instrumentals with no instrument allocated to my hands,  Oh, and your allergies would be untouched.  Accordingly, the remainder of this post will focus on Handsome Kent's No Substitute For Handsome.

The hallmarks here are excellent songwriting -- good stories with clever but efficient phrasing, and a great sense of fun.  Goolsby's vocals, as others have noted, have a hint of Roger Miller, but more importantly they have an everyman accessibility that makes it easy to warm up to whatever he is singing about.

The album begins with teasing guitar riff while Kent explains his mother's advice for grooming and its likely affect on his future happiness.  Pay attention guys, this is important advice.



The old time country "Rags to Rags" contains two lessons -- the possibility that life may not be an upward economic spiral, and that there may be a silver lining in not trying.  By the third song, the wonderful,"This Daddy (Has Run Out of Strut)", our storytellers are admitting that work and pleasing the little missus have left them with an energy deficit.



"Natural Disaster" addresses an different economic fact, that being how fast one's daddy can fill up the family 'swear jar'.  Yes, some lessons are learned close to home.



The gang slows it down a bit for the bluesy "Outskirts of Love", which has a subversively strutting arrangement.  "Beast of Bourbon" tells of a working man's craving for the titular nectar as the weekend approaches.

Other highlights are the tributes to the narrator's true love -- "Leading Lady" and "Hitched".





This album is made for the hot days of the summer.  Put it on the outdoor speakers for the afternoon picnic, or for drinking under the stars later.  Everyone will feel better as they compete to prove whose daddy was the biggest natural disaster, and who was luckiest, or unluckiest, in getting hitched.

The players are Kent Goolsby (guitar/vocals), Steve Daly (guitar/mandolin), Dan Eubanks (upright bass), Roy Agee (trombone), Chris Housman (fiddle), and Anna Goolsby (vocals).  No Substitute for Handsome is out now -- see the Bandcamp link below.

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Cheating Sons - Cheating Sons

In our tireless search for good sounds in popular music, we find ourselves in Singapore, grooving on the self-titled album from Cheating Sounds.  Roots rock, blues, and a touch of country twang blend together in a spicy helping of musical comfort food.  The band draws on additional performers for strings, horns and additional percussion, and secured the production services of Los Angeles-based Manny Nieto for Cheating Sounds, who was flown into Singapore over the course of two years to help shape this self-funded labor of love.

Cheating Sons follows the band's previous LP by four years, but care, dedication and sacrifice is evident in the quality of the result.  The songs benefit from an intricacy of structure and precision in performance all too rare in popular music.  Perhaps I'm a pushover, but for the most part I was sold on the album by the opening track, "Courage, Courage", which I played several times before continuing.  Each succeeding song increased my appreciation until the penultimate offering of Roy Orbison-style wonderfulness, "Honeymoon".  At that point there could be no doubt.  I pulled on my boots, stood up and sang along (my apologies to my wife; my apologies to my dog).  What a lovely album!







If I have the players right, Cheating Sons are Lazarus Wang Renyi (vocals, rhythm guitar, harmonica, lyricist), Leong Chee Shan (lead guitar), Donovan Loh (bass, mandolin, banjo, ukulele, lap steel and slide guitar) and Andy Liew (drums and percussion).  Additional contributions were made by Teoh Ying Da (trumpet), Joel Lee (sax), Joy Loh (violin), Kaitlin Wolfberg (violin), Natalie Soh (violin), Koh Zhong Ren (cello), Kevin Mthews (piano & keys), Fredo Ortiz (percussion), Rachael Teo (backing vocals), Narelle Kheng (backing vocals), Lee Yinqi (backing vocals), and Tok Xue Yi (backing vocals).

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Introducing: The Amazing Snakeheads

Glasgow's The Amazing Snakeheads make uncompromising , intense, roots flavored rock and roll.  Their ten-track debut album, Amphetamine Ballads, will be released by Domino Records in late July, but we thought a brief introduction might be appreciated.  The band are Jordan Hutchison (drums), Dale Barclay (guitar, vocals) and William Coombe (bass).  Here are the first two singles from Amphetamine Ballads.  There is a bit of the Link Wray rootsy menace, and a bit of the Iggy and the Stooges feral rock and roll.




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The Melodic - Effra Parade

The Melodic are a London five-piece who play folk rock with Latin influences.  With male/female vocals, a melodica, a variety of stringed instruments and world pop rhythms, they are an indie band like none other on the scene.  Eschewing the current mania among their folky brethren for Americana, they provide a breath of fresh air on genre alone.  However, their recently released debut album, Effra Parade, demonstrates that they can deliver musical content that certainly will excite fans of folk and world pop.  The songs on the album generally are both relaxed and relaxing, with a few rousing numbers that I expect would bring an appreciative live crowd to their feet.  Their art is sincere, and their home production perfect for the 15 songs on offer.  The vocals shine in the austere arrangements and the interplay of the vocals is smooth and unforced.  For me the overall effect is as if I were sitting in the living room of a group of musician friends on a Saturday night while they played their favorite tunes.  And that makes for a very good evening.

Effra Parade is out now via ANTI Records.  Below are three of the standout tracks from the album.  The third clip is a live version of "Come Outside", with fellow UK folk rocker and tour partner Johnny Flynn providing the fiddle.






The Melodic are Huw Williams, Rudi Schmidt, John Naldrett, Lydia Samuels, and James McCandless.  They currently are touring the United States, and the remaining dates are listed under the "Tour Dates" tab on their website.

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REVIEW: Kent Goolsby - Trophies of Youth

Imagine driving all day in the summer heat with no air conditioning.  Night is falling.  You are tired, hungry and thirsty.  And your mood reflects this morning's conversation with your until-recently-(maybe/sorta)-girlfriend in which she emphasized that you were at least two chances beyond that "last chance" you had begged for.  OK, so you are very thirsty.  You pull into a roadhouse with a sign advertising food, booze and music (assuming the missing letters are as you suspect).  The question is, what kind of music do you want (assume Thievery Corporation is not available)?

I want Kent Goolsby and his band, The Folks.  I want them on stage a long time while I eat what my body needs and drink what my head needs.  And I want to hear every song from Trophies of Youth, because that's what my soul needs.  Ten tracks of roadhouse romps and gritty blues inflected rock/soul voiced in a gravelly, soulful croon may not be enough to mend me, but it would be a welcome start.  The subjects are timeless and personal, and the tone is sincere.  I'm pretty sure that at such a time, hearing someone else face life and respond with wisdom, truth, recognition of reality and humor makes me believe that I'll get through this too.  I hear about a "Natural Disaster" (fatherhood - ouch), "Jesus Is My Landlord" and the glorious depiction of live devoted to rock and roll -- "Rags to Rags" ("this life ain't rags to riches, more like rags to rags ... the spirit is willing but the flesh is lazy").

For this album, Kent E. Goolsby, or "KEG", and The Folks, benefited from the playing and production contributions of fellow Murfreesboro resident Joey Kneiser.  The production is superb.  All the instrumental and vocal contributions "pop" as if live, while none of the essential grit wiped away.  The Folks are terrific: Steve Daly and his multitude of guitar voices, Dan Eubanks with an authoritative bass and Shakey Fowlkes providing a rock-solid anchor on drums.  KEG himself on piano reminds this old guy of Leon Russell.  At times I think I'm hearing John Prine fronting The Band.  And speaking of old, KEG proves himself to be an old soul for modern times.  That is more than good enough for all of us.  Highly recommended stuff, people.









Trophies of Youth is out now on This Is American Music.

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REVIEW: Chris Shiflett and the Dead Peasants - All Hat And No Cattle

The title of the new album by Chris Shiflett and the Dead Peasants - All Hat And No Cattle - is, of course, a self-deprecating use of an old saying ranchers would use to describe a small-time, big-talk rival: i.e., "all talk, no action". But Shifflett and his band, to stretch the metaphor, have plenty of cattle. They can really play this stuff.

As expected from a rock guitarist whose day job is with the Foo Fighters, Shiflett leads his band through some breakneck guitar workouts inspired by some of country's greatest guitar slingers - people like Don Rich. Here's the lead track, "Guitar Pickin' Man":



Here's a rollicking version of Del Reeves' signature honky-tonker, "Good Time Charlie's":



And the original track on here, "A Woman Like You" is fantastic, a guitar-based rave-up that simultaneously pays tribute to the Bakersfield sound of Owens and Haggard, and British-invasion guitar rock. The piano/guitar interplay over the last minute or so of "Are You Sure Hank Done It This Way" is just delightful, and reminds me of Southern rock favorites like Skynyrd's "Call Me The Breeze" or some of the Allmans' work on Brothers And Sisters.

But the revelation here is the true country nature of the proceedings... there is some great piano and pedal steel, and Shiflett's vocals have a nice twang to them on slower numbers like "Happy Part of Town" and "King of Fools", and on repeated listen, this stuff holds up very well in rotation with good modern traditionalist country music like Dwight Yoakam, Marty Stuart and Jim Lauderdale. Further, Shiflett's really dug into the canon to come up with some gems by true country music legends who aren't necessarily household names - folks like Wynn Stewart, Del Reeves and Jim Ed Brown ("Pop a Top"), as well as a fairly non-obvious Haggard tune, his first song "Skid Row". This and the way he varies the country influences and tempos shows that Shiflett isn't just fooling around with country music on this record - he's got it in his soul. He's onto something here, and I hope he'll keep it going.

All Hat And No Cattle is out now (July 30) on Side One Dummy Records.

Chris Shiflett and the Dead Peasants website
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"Do You Right" by The Rosy Crucifixion, album to follow

Glasgow's The Rosy Crucifixion has a sound I quite like.  It probably is best described a as a mix of American roots and garage.  But whatever you call it, it is good.  The band has released "Do You Right", which is a track from their split vinyl LP with The Wharves, which is set for fall 2013 release via Scotland's Soft Power Records.


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REVIEW: Jashwha Moses - No War On Earth

Jashwha Moses is no newcomer to roots reggae -- his first single was released over three decades ago.  But the UK artist is on a prolific run.  A year after releasing a full length retrospective of his work from 1978-2003 on Bristol Archive Records, he is back with No War On Earth.  Released on Sugar Shack Records, No War On Earth features nine vocal tracks and six dubs, produced under the direction of Mikey Taylor-Hall.  The set contains delights both expected and unexpected.  In the former category, the album features excellent vocals and strong, conscious lyrics.  And the dubs are magnificent -- spacey and atmospheric.  In the latter category, the album contains examples of vocal manipulation, layering and effects that go beyond the traditional dub reggae arts.  The result is a roots reggae album for modern times.

The album mostly consists of new material, although former releases "Jah Time Has Come" and "Steel" have been included in slightly reworked form.  In addition, Bob Marley's "War" is transformed into "Good Over Evil" on this album.  What impresses me most about Jashwha Moses is that three decades into the game, he sounds as focused, driven and, yes, hungry as he did in the early '80s.  No War On Earth would be a good album if a man of Moses' vocal abilities just put in a decent effort on nine vocal tracks.  But this album is so much more -- a vibrant package of music that affirms that conscious reggae lives on.  We don't give numerical rankings to albums here, but in my view this album is "essential" for the modern roots reggae collector.




The quality of the dubs on this album are well demonstrated by this dub of the title track--



Jashwha and his band also put on a great live show.  Here is a performance of "Good Over Evil" --



No War On Earth is out now on Bristol's Sugar Shack Records.  It is available on CD and via digital download.  Sugar Shack and its sister labels are simultaneously giving life to the historically strong Bristol reggae scene of past decades, and rejuvenating the current reggae scene.  As fans, we are grateful.

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REVIEW: The Growlers - Hung at Heart

Plying a rootsy, surfy psychedelic folk-rock that is sometimes mellow and sometimes a bit dark, Orange County's The Growlers are back with their third album, Hung at Heart.  One thing any prospective listener needs to understand is that The Growlers do things their own trippy, free-wheeling way.  They are wacky, lo-fi and decidedly not too serious.  But that doesn't mean that the music is anything other than sublime.  I'm enjoying this album immensely; it has a great party vibe and is on my list of potential top 50 albums for the year.  And it doesn't mean that the band isn't devoted to achieving the sound that they want.  At one point Hung at Heart was produced by Dan Auerbach, but The Growlers felt results were overcooked.  So The Growlers, wanting to sound like The Growlers, re-recorded it themselves.

The tone is set from the opening track, "Someday" -

 

Immerse yourself in Hung at Heart and you'll find yourself surrounded by engaging, crunchy and slightly scruffy pop songs and nodding along to homespun -- and often slightly off-kilter -- philosophy.  Nielson's low-register grumble fits the proceedings like your favorite wetsuit and the arrangements are excellent and varied.  Trust me, you'll want this album for your summer evening beach parties.  Or your pretend summer evening beach parties.



The Growlers are Brooks Nielsen (vocals), Matt Taylor (guitar), Kyle Straka (guitar) Scott Montoya (drums), and Anthony Perry (bass).  Hung at Heart is released on Everloving Records in North America and FatCat Records in UK/Europe.  The band is commencing on a European tour this week.


THE HUNG AT HEART GARAGE RECORDINGS ● ONE MILLION LOVERS from LEAF on Vimeo.

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REVIEW: The Lions - This Generation

The Lions are an LA-based reggae outfit featuring 18 members and five vocalists, among them Robbie Shakespeare's cousin Black Shakespeare. It's an assembly of great musicians who share, in addition to their obvious talent, a deep reverence for roots and dub reggae - the kind of stuff that keeps you searching through the used record bins in the hope of finding one more Scratch Perry or King Tubby record that's new to you, that you've never heard before - because they just don't make that stuff anymore, right?

Well, good news. Somebody makes that stuff now. And we have the fine people at Stones Throw to thank for the Lions' latest album, This Generation. It's got all the ingredients: deep rhythms, scratch guitar, horns and extremely soulful vocals. On the song "Revelations", Black Shakespeare takes the lead, and the harmony vocals are stellar. And the extended horn section on "New Girl" (featuring James King) is delightful... but keeping in mind that all good reggae starts with a solid drum and bass underpinning, that's the element that makes this such a good record.

To get you started, here's a soundcheck video:




Being an American band, the Lions aren't simply replicating the dub sounds of the 70's - such a thing might be impossible outside of Jamaica anyway - and it's on songs like "Pieces of a Man" where the influences of American soul music show through - and highlight the specific talent of this band. In lesser hands, an attempted melding of Philly falsetto soul and reggae might just fall flat - here, it shows the best of both worlds. And have you ever wondered what a reggae version of "Jamie's Cryin'" might sound like? Well, for starters, it's heavy on the vocal harmonies.

Here's the video for the title track - a timeless reggae song:



Here's a deep dub cut, "Padre Ichiro":



And here's the dub of the title cut:



It was released Feb. 18, and you can listen and buy at Stones Throw.

REVIEW: The Mariner's Children - Sycamore EP

The Sycamore EP presents some challenges to the blogger's tendency to categorize music.  I suppose alternative folk or folk rock come close, but neither truly captures the scope or spirit of the UK's The Mariner's Children.  The record's centerpiece, "In My Bed" features a blusey lead vocals with Arcade Fire-like choruses, making good use of the talents of a large compliment of players.



And if you prefer, here is the video for "In My Bed" --

And while "In My Bed" is likely to attract the most attention, the other three tracks offer rich musical textures and sophisticated vocals.  Together, they convey tension and intensity.  Here is a live version of the second track, "Wolves Within the Wood" --

Sycamore EP is released by Broken Sound Music.  Even if you usually don't venture to the folk side of the pop scale, this one is worth a chance.

The Mariner's Children are Ben Rubinstein (vocals/guitar/banjo), Daniel Matthews (guitar/banjo/mandolin/accordion), Becca Mears (cello), Emma Kraemer (violin), Marcus Hamblett (bass), Emma Gatrill (vocals/glockenspiel), and Felix Weldon (drums).  A full length album is planned for later this year.

The band's current tour dates are as follows:

03.03.2013 - Wedgewood Rooms, Portsmouth (supporting Willy Mason)
04.03.2013 - Phoenix, Exeter (supporting Willy Mason)
05.03.2013 - Glee Club, Cardiff (supporting Willy Mason)
07.03.2013 - Koko, London (supporting Willy Mason)
08.03.2013 - The Wardrobe, Leeds (supporting Willy Mason)
09.03.2013 - Gateshead Old Town Hall, Newcastle (supporting Willy Mason)
10.03.2013 - Oran Mor, Glasgow (supporting Willy Mason)
12.03.2013 - The Kazimier, Liverpool (supporting Willy Mason)
13.03.2013 - Rescue Rooms, Nottingham (supporting Willy Mason)
14.03.2013 - Whelans, Dublin (supporting Willy Mason)
15.03.2013 - Limelight, Belfast (supporting Willy Mason)
18.03.2013 - The Lexington, London (Sycamore EP launch with special guests)

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New Single from Jamaica's Courtney John Project -- "Black Cinderella"

I was pretty well blown away by the last song I heard from this collective of Jamaican artists back in October. I did a profile of them and their song "Soul of a Man" that heralds a new Island music style -- a mix of warm Kingston mash up and cool dubstep known as Rootstronic.

In advance of their forthcoming full-length album, Future, the Courtney John Project have released a new single, a mesmerizing reworking of Errol Dunkley's 1972 hit "Black Cinderella." About once a month I feel compelled to talk about how much I love cover songs, and about Husker Du's version of "Eight Miles High" and so on and so on, but I need to do it again here, because this is such a daring, yet loving, reinterpretation.  The original musical theme continues intact, but shares space with more aggressive percussion and a bracing splash of piano and electronics. Ultimately, I wonder if this could have been pulled off without a singer like Courtney John, who was born and reared in reggae, and who has the instincts and pure vocal chops that make this effort sound fully realized and authentic.

Word is there'll be some more good stuff from CJP hitting the wires before the album release, so keep watching this space. We'll also post an album release date soon.


Courtney John Project website
Courtney John Project on Twitter and Soundcloud

REVIEW: Pony Time - Go Find Your Own

Seattle duo Pony Time plays fast and loud - an intriguing cross between the Stooges-inspired garage rock of JEFF the Brotherhood, the primitive surf guitar of Dick Dale, the constant hard beat of Bo Diddley and bare-bones rockabilly. And if that sounds intriguing, by God, it is supposed to.

Pony Time is Luke Beetham on bass, guitar and vocals and Stacy Peck on drums. This is a terrific album, all sneering vocals, fuzzy guitar and drums that alternate between solid backbeat and wild flights and flourishes, often within the same song.

It is crazy stuff - the music is a lot of fun, and the songs (including the titles: "Hippy Shit", "Lesbian Mayor") are infused with a genuine punk sensibility. Whether the guitars start out fuzzy ("Kathleen Hanna") or build to it ("Hex On You"), they get there every time - and it's enchanting.

Here's "What If You Caught Me" - you can download it and decide for yourself. It's a good representation of their sound:



And here's the video for album cut "Geordie":

Pony Time - Geordie (Official Video) from Per Se Records on Vimeo.

Go Find Your Own will be out February 19 on Per Se Records.

Introducing: The Rosy Crucifixion

I don't know where you go for morbidly focused hillbilly garage music, but of course I go to Glasgow.  That's right, Glasgow's The Rosy Crucifixion delivers crashing and twanging roots guitars, female vocals and garage ethos.  My research indicates that the members of the band are Emily MacLaren, Stuart Evans, Andrew Power and Conal Blake.  I don't believe that you'll find any records to purchase, but perhaps if you obsessively play their music the band will be encouraged to officially release some records.

Here are some demos, some or all of which appear on a compilation of current Glasgow music arranged by three of that fair city's indie labels.  You'll hear thunder, twang, harmonies and surfy riffs.  You'll be amazed, thrilled, and want more.  You may look over your shoulder on the way home, as well.







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First Aid Kit - new video for "Wolf", iTunes session, upcoming tour

First Aid Kit continues to enthrall audiences worldwide. Here's the video for the new single "Wolf":



And they're meeting with great success all around the world... a long way from those videos of them performing folk songs in the woods, and yet pretty much the same thing: two ladies with great voices singing in really close harmony.

Performing Simon and Garfunkel's "America":



Here's a link to buy the iTunes Session - they've reworked a few of the songs from Lion's Roar and earlier records, plus a few they had not recorded before.

And tour dates:


SEPT. 24         CHICAGO, IL                    METRO*
SEPT. 25         ANN ARBOR, MI                THE BLIND PIG*
SEPT. 26         TORONTO, ON                  DANFORTH MUSIC HALL*
SEPT. 28         BOSTON, MA                    ROYALE NIGHTCLUB*
SEPT. 29         NEW YORK, NY                 IRVING PLAZA*
SEPT. 30         BROOKLYN, NY                 MUSIC HALL OF WILLIAMSBURG*
OCT. 2            WASHINGTON, DC            SIXTH & I HISTORIC SYNAGOGUE*
OCT. 3            ASHEVILLE, NC                 ORANGE PEEL*
OCT. 4            ATLANTA, GA                   BUCKHEAD THEATRE*
OCT. 5            NASHVILLE, TN                3RD & LINDSLEY*
OCT. 6            ST. LOUIS, MO                 FIREBIRD*
OCT. 8            OMAHA, NE                     WAITING ROOM*
OCT. 9            LAWRENCE, KS                 THE GRANADA THEATRE*
OCT. 12          AUSTIN, TX                      AUSTIN CITY LIMITS FESTIVAL
OCT. 13          DALLAS, TX                      THE KESSLER THEATER*
OCT. 16          LOS ANGELES, CA              THE FONDA THEATRE*
OCT. 17          SAN FRANCISCO, CA          THE FILLMORE AUDITORIUM*
OCT. 19          PORTLAND, OR                  ROSELAND THEATER*
OCT. 20          SEATTLE, WA                    NEPTUNE**

REVIEW: Miss Shevaughn and Yuma Wray - We're From Here

Miss Shevaughn and Yuma Wray have put together a debut record that is simply stunning in its scope and in the sheer size of its sound. We're From Here is a title that apparently grew out of an answer to the question, often asked, "Where are you from?" Shevaughn grew up in Arkansas and Louisiana, and Wray internationally, but their most recent permanent home was Chicago, as good an American music melting pot as you could think of. In working out the songs that comprise We're From Here, they apparently took up residence in their van and travelled the country. Similarly, they imposed no limits on their music.

On beginning to listen, I am reminded of Gillian Welch and David Rawlings, but that's probably too easy a comparison - after all, anybody can see that the band consists of a female folk/country/rock crooner and an ace guitar player. Although it would appear Shevaughn's an ace guitarist herself... Another comparison that came to my mind in listening to this record a few times over was "kd lang fronting Uncle Tupelo". But then, there are those guitars...

"Make It Out Alive" is an amazing song, one that owes as much to Springsteen as to, say, Emmylou and Gram. It's roots rock with some big-time guitar slinging. Similarly, "Lost My Way" reminds me of Eleventh Dream Day or Sonic Youth, just some tremendous guitar work.

But on songs like "The River Made Me Do It", Wray provides some fairly restrained picking over the first two or three minutes, which allows Shevaughn's voice to stay right on top. She's an excellent country-rock vocalist, seemingly comfortable with any type of song... and Wray's always ready with some wicked, ragged electric guitar to punctuate things in between choruses.



And there are dead-on folk songs like "Factory Clock":



Check out the guitar work on this instrumental, "Mi Burro Esta En Fuego" - a rough mix from their recording process:



There's not a bad song on the record - Wray's a good vocalist, too, and he takes lead vocals on a few of the songs here: "Make It Out Alive", "Keep On Wailin'" and "Cloin's Lament".

Mostly, though, this record is recommended if you like guitars. Whether plucking and bending the strings, as on the pretty "No Grave To Brush The Dust From", or shredding, as they do throughout most of the rest of the album, the quality of the fretwork is uniformly excellent... this is a tremendous debut. It's out today (9/11) and you can learn more at their website, or buy it directly from the band here.