The dB’s – Stands For DeciBels The dB’s, much like their fellow southern contemporaries in R.E.M. and Let’s Active, helped bring the Power Pop tradition of Big Star, complete with jangly guitars, to a whole new generation of music fans, and in the process went on to inspire a slew of bands from The Posies […]
Andrea von Kampen – Sister Moon Sister Moon, Andrea von Kampen’s third record, is influenced by two complex and seemingly disparate topics: Saint Francis of Assisi and Richard Powers’ 2018 novel The Overstory. Despite the randomness of those influences she manages to create a beautiful record with surprisingly relatable themes. The folk record begins with […]
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Marcellus Hall – I Will Never Let You Down I Will Never Let You Down, the third LP from former Railroad Jerk frontman Marcellus Hall, took half a decade to make. But the results, a dozen brilliantly crafted indie rock tracks recalling the heyday of ‘90s college radio, prove the protracted process was well worth […]
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John Vincent III – Songs For The Canyon John Vincent III’s 2019 self-released debut was an exercise in unpretentious Americana. On his latest LP, Songs For The Canyon, the native Texan’s sound has evolved a bit with indie pop influences and comes off slightly more polished, but it only serves to enhance his voice and […]
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Jon Dee Graham – Only Dead For A Little While Austin-based Jon Dee Graham became an institution in his native Texas as a member of the punk band The Skunks, then the True Believers and eventually for his solo work. He has been inducted in the Austin Music Hall of Fame three different times and […]
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Dylan LeBlanc – Coyote Dylan LeBlanc’s latest, Coyote, is more than just a cool title for an Americana/folk record. It’s tethered to a very real experience LeBlanc had as a child. As a kid living in Austin, he once climbed the face of a 100-foot cliff, and out of the trees a raccoon came scrambling […]
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The Steel Woods – On Your Time The Steel Woods’ last effort, 2021’s All of Your Stones, was an emotionally deep record and their strongest album to date. On Your Time builds nicely on that foundation, continuing a deeply introspective collection of songs that perfectly bridge their country and rock influences. While not exactly a […]
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Ross Cooper – Lightning Heart Four songs into Ross Cooper’s latest album, Lightning Heart, over a twangy telecaster he sings “Everyone wants to be a cowboy ‘til it’s time to do cowboy shit,” on “Everybody Wants to Be A Cowboy,” a track he co-wrote with Wyatt Cote. And he sings it with strong authenticity, as […]
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Jenny Owen Youngs – Avalanche On the surface, Jenny Owen Youngs’ latest, Avalanche, comes from a dark place, with songs titles like “Knife Went In,” “Bury Me Slowly” and “Set It On Fire,” and yes some of the themes here come from some of life’s more tragic moments, but there is also an undeniable optimism […]
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Van Plating – Orange Blossom Child With Orange Blossom Child, her third LP, Florida native Van Plating manages to merge the musical influences she heard growing up around the house (a lot of Bluegrass and Outlaw Country) with her own musical discovers including Tom Petty and Jeff Buckley, among others, for a refreshing take on […]
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