Given the current state of popular country music, it should surprise us that what gets labeled Outlaw Country, or Americana, or alt/country these days often has a strong bias toward the traditional and an authentic old school ethic of keeping it real, even as it expands the genre with rock and other influences. Steve Earle,…
French gonzo-synth punks and intergalactic scuzzball house band, The Scaners have quickly returned with album number II after their debut came out just last year. The band does not do much to shake up their planetary assault on these new 12 tracks and that is perfectly fine because they offer a solid slice of punk…
Right from the beginning of opening track “Tough Enough,” you know that Ex Hex are going to knock you out. The track has all the elements of a great rock song. Catchy up front guitar riffs, isolated vocals from the powerful lead of Mary Timony and then the sing along call outs chime in. If…
I will tell you that I was very concerned going into Groove Denied. This is Stephen Malkmus’ first solo album without his Jicks since 2001 and it was billed as his synth record that Matador sort of put on hold until now. Those are not music friendly points that make you think masterpiece. With all…
It’s always exciting to hear a distinct, surprising new voice. That was my experience when firing up Tales of America, J.S. Ondara’s full-length debut. The Kenya native, who now resides in the USA, has a dulcet tone that complements his acoustic guitar well. And it’s so evocative; Ondara has the talent to let you know…
At 79 years old, Mavis Staples is an R&B institution who has been inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and the Blues Hall of Fame, but she’s not sitting back on her laurels in a rocking chair at the living legends nursing home. She’s produced four fine studio album just in this…
Durand Jones’ 2016 self-titled debut was another stellar release in the retro-soul movement and quickly put the band on everyone’s radar that has only grown with the lead up to the group’s sophomore outing, American Love Call. The anticipation and wait were worth it as American Love Call brings Durand Jones & The Indications sound…
Bob Mould makes a determined effort on his 14th solo studio album to turn from the darkness toward the light of Sunshine Rock. It’s a burst of positivity that he spells out with unusual lyrical clarity in the campy folk song “Camp Sunshine, where he sings “The days I get to spend making music with…
Crane Like The Bird is the brain-child of drummer and songwriter Kyle Crane, who has collaborated with folk like Neko Case, M. Ward, and Kurt Vile, and worked as the drum double for the young jazz drummer in the movie Whiplash. On this project, Crane uses his natural knack for collaboration to create a personal…
One of the albums that got lost in the shuffle of new releases late in the fall that’s worthy of our attention was the return of the original Smoking Popes line-up on Into the Agony, the first full-length since 2011, and the first recording since the reunion with drummer Mike Felumlee who left the band…
