Garrett Owen’s aptly titled new release, Quiet Lives, is almost reverent at times. His unrushed vocals, as earnest as they are beautiful, is sometimes accompanied by little more than an acoustic guitar which serves the songs well putting the lyrics front and center. But even when he brings in more instruments – synths and even […]
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Thomas Csorba – Self-Titled (Highway Kid) “I want,” the opening track off of Thomas Csorba’s eponymous new album, is as beautiful in its simplicity as it is earnest. Backed by little more than a humming organ and acoustic strums, Csorba reels off a list of life goals in a seemingly autobiographical mantra. He talk about […]
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By John B. Moore While not specifically billed as a concept album, Justin Wells’ latest, The United State (out Aug 28 on Singular Recordings), has a consistent theme running throughout the dozen tracks. The album opener, “You’ll Never Know, Dear, How Much I Love You,” followed by “The Screaming Song,” tracks life from the beginning, […]
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The Harmed Brothers – Across The Waves (Fluff & Gravy Records) By John B. Moore It’s taken 10 years and five albums, but The Harmed Brothers have evolved from a solid, but niche banjo-based Americana/Bluegrass band into a group that draws in more influences, and plays full-bodied indie rock, that’s part folk, part Americana, […]
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Reagan and Thatcher helped launch a 1,000 punk bands throughout the 1980s. And Trump is on track to help to be the unintentional muse to a 1,000 more. And Leslie Mendelson is likely another one, though she just so happens to be influenced more by some the great ‘70s singer songwriters like Carol King rather […]
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On their sophomore effort (and first LP), Shadow of Doubt, the Brooklyn five-piece Satin Nickel have managed to cobble together a uniquely modern spin on folk and Americana that adds in some contemporary flourishes while still holding on tightly to genre traditions. Surprisingly, considering how cohesive the record is, the band is just under three […]
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When the late ‘80s music world was dominated by over the top Glam-based Hair Metal bands and polished to a blinding shine pop music, Matt Wilson’s group Trip Shakespeare managed to churn out album after album of original, engaging alt rock long before the term was hijacked by record label marketing departments. Ignoring fads and […]
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Spanking Charlene’s last album was recorded nearly a decade ago, but the band clearly hasn’t bothered to let rust settle in. On Find Me Out (Rum Bar Records), their third effort, the music is stronger and singer Charlene McPherson’s vocals are seemingly more powerful (quite a feat when you realize how impressive she sounded on […]
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