Archive for the 'Alt-Country' Category

Justin Jones & The Driving Rain

Published
by
smansmith
on October 28, 2008
in Alt-Country, Americana, Country, Folk, Singer Songwriter and Southern
. 0 Comments

Within the songs of Justin Jones are stories from a life lived long enough to know heartache, loneliness, addiction, and lost love. But the 29-year-old Virginia native has not lost touch with a youthful spirit that imbues his music: raw excitement, romance, and optimism.

That description is from the MySpace page of Justin Jones & The Driving Rain.  It pretty much hits the spot for an artist among many in the today’s jungle of Alt-Country/Americana artists.  While that description would be used by many I am sure, it just might be a bit more true for Justin.

From North Carolina as a youth to the Washington D.C. area currently, Jones has been performing his style of true Americana to his growing audience.  The 15 years of transition engulfing North Carolina to D.C. include his roots playing guitar for whiskey soaked ears to successful tours throughout the I-95 area (for you Americans who know the area!).  While Justin currently records with his “Driving Rain”, he was a lone performer until at least 2002 and his move to Washington.  The move brought more performing and need for the inclusion of talent - talent he found to assist in filling out his sound - notably on his “Love Versus Heroin” album from 2006.  This album is ridiculously good for you “new country” fans.  The album worth it for the song “Dying With You” alone!

While I get ahead of myself, we can’t forget Justin only official solo release “Blue Dreams” which is described as both “Blues” and “Hillbilly Soul” - quite a description I must say, and also a great solo and mostly acoustic album.  Although I do often appreciate the lone performer more often, his group efforts are just soo strong.  This is most recently assured by his 2007 release “… and I Am The Song of the Drunkards” which definitely picks up where “Love Versus Heroin” leaves off.  The albums are full of up tempo country/bluegrass to the ballad crooning heart-breakers.

For the up and coming info, Jones is working on the next album out at the legendary Sunset Sound studio with producer Jamie Candiloro (from R.E.M. and Ryan Adams fame).  They will be in the studio this week, so we can hope for quick and successful sessions in order to get us more of this great sound in the new year.

I have included a track from last years “… and I Am The Song of the Drunkards” and a solo effort in the form of a Bob Dylan cover for “Boots of Spanish Leather” (recorded with Jones on guitar and Candiloro on piano).

Visit Justin on his website, pick up a copy of Blue Dreams, Love Versus Heroin or …And I Am The Songs of the Drunkards over on CD Baby.

~Smansmith

 
 Justin Jones & The Driving Rain - "Lets Stay Together" [5:07m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

 
 Justin Jones - "Boots of Spanish Leather (Bob Dylan Cover)" [5:25m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

The Wrights - In The Summertime

Published
by
Geordie
on October 27, 2008
in Acoustic, Alt-Country, Country, Folk and New Album Alert
. 3 Comments

And so my country tastes continue. The Wrights are husband and wife Adam and Shannon and are now based in Nashville and have just released an album of covers of some of their favourite songs. Recorded live with no overdubs or editing in just a week in their basement using some old microphones this has been on constant repeat since I received it. They are both amazing singers in their own Wright (see what I did there?) but when they harmonise, man it’s as sweet as some of that old cherry pie these kind of country folk eat. (no more stereotypical commenst I swear) Whereas their self titled 2007 EP has a more contempary sound to it, In the summertime takes these old songs from the likes of Tim carrol, Roger Miller and Steve Fromholz and not only gives us a fresh interpretation of them but gives them an opportunity to show off their amazing vocal talents when the songs are stripped down so much. Obvious comparisons to be made are Gillian welch and David Rawlings or perhaps Thad Cockrell and Caitlin Cary but some of these songs wouldnt have gone a miss on the Robert Plant and Alison Krauss album of last year especially the tracks In spite of me or Del McCoury’s bluesy bluegrass I feel the blues moving in. This is my favourite kind of country music, I love it. It may be an obvious choice to put the title track up but it really does show off their harmonies magnificently. Rewind is from last years E.P. Enjoy.

 
 The Wrights - In the summertime [3:07m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

 
 The Wrights - Rewind [3:33m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Andrew Bryant’s Blues

Published
by
smansmith
on October 11, 2008
in Acoustic, Alt-Country, Americana, Folk, Indie, Singer Songwriter and Southern
. 0 Comments

Well I must say I am a bit late in posting on this little project from Andrew Bryant, but better late than never!

Andrew Bryant has been circling the fringe of my listening for a little bit now - often due to musical suggestions from my good friends over at Yer Bird Records.  These suggestions lead me on a journey into finding some more of this talented countrified songwriter’s recordings.  My journey recently led me to his newly created website and with it brought access to his “Hurricane Blues” digital EP.   The EP is themed and recorded following the disastrous Hurricane Katrina which left a massive mess (both physically and emotionally for all those involved) in the southern United States.  This is the background to this 2 track EP, so expect no love for authority figures and unfortunate descriptions of those who had to live through the natural disaster.

“Hurricane Blues” is basically just Bryant and a guitar and has a bluesy, southern feel.  The content of the lyrics aside, you still feel like a true Americana recording persona from Bryant’s delivery - almost a drawl that he might be holding back on.

Mr. Bryant is starting to be quite the prolific singer songwriter in the last few years and look out for 2009 as he will be bombarding us with up to 3 more releases - sounds good to me.  Signed to Magnolia State Records which I believe is his own growing label and located there are links to all his albums with sample tracks for every single release!  While I will start you off with Hurricane Blues, please swing on by and check out some of his other works, as he delivers many more aspects of his Americana recordings than these sparse recordings suggest.

~Smansmith

 
 Andrew Bryant - "Homeless Blues" [2:38m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

 
 Andrew Bryant - "Hurricane Blues" [4:38m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Donovan Quinn & The 13th Month

Published
by
Geordie
on October 9, 2008
in Acoustic, Alt-Country, Americana, Country, Folk, New Album Alert and Singer Songwriter
. 0 Comments

Have you recently spilt with someone and need a soundtrack match your turmoil ? Are you still bitter about some past relationship and need to get it all out of your system? Maybe a fuck you to someone who may have broken your heart somewhere along the line and you are now ready to move on or perhaps you just want a perfect album to see in the Autumn and let it be those now long forgotten summer days that you heap these words upon? Then perhaps Donovan Quinns debut solo effort may just be the soundtrack you need. I just listened to this album three times over whilst out walking in the woods and I found it rather cleansing. Rather worryingly it made me feel I HAD split up with someone and I’ve been single (by choice i hasten to add) for three years ! But as I said, I found it all rather cleansing as I crunched the fallen leaves under my feet I took the opportunity to dust off some cobwebs which were, If i’m to be honest, pretty old, a chance to say goodbye to stuff that’s been lingering around like a bad smell for way too long. A new season along with this new album has perhaps brought a fresh perspective on life for me. It’s Autumn, it happens. Do you ever pause to question your own love? Donovan asks on Heathen honeymoon. It’s a good question and one worth considering.

Hailing from San Francisco and has been making music since 2001, firstly with Glenn Donaldson as the skygreen leopards and now under the name the 13th month, with at times, Jason Quever (Papercuts). Often singing in a slightly Dylanesque drawl he is slowly gaining a reputation in his home country as one of the best dark romantic singer/songwriters. With a little help from me on this blog I’m hoping that slow reputation becomesa little quicker and reaches this side of the pond too. Although this album is mainly country folk there is some room for some Californian sun soaked guitars all backed up nicely with keyboards on the track They’re going to pick us apart. You would think, given it’s subject matter, that’s it’s a really sad album and although there is a sense of sadness within it I mostly get the feeling, like me in the forest, of hope and new beginnings.

Signed to softabuse records you can pick up the cd here but if you want to hold on a week or two vinyl will also be available either from softabuse or roughtrade records. I will update this when vinyl becomes available. Some imminent US dates here and then to the UK next spring/summer.  Enjoy.

 
 Donovan Quinn & the 13th month -Take the cross off the mantle [3:18m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

 
 Donovan Quinn & the 13th month - Heathen Honeymoon [4:18m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Annabelle Chvostek - Resilience

Published
by
Olivier
on October 8, 2008
in Acoustic, Alt-Country, Folk, Rock, Singer Songwriter and When artist blog
. 2 Comments

Two songs made me really cry so far this year : ‘A Thought‘ from So it Goes last Colby Stead’s release  and  ‘Line of Ascent‘ from Annabelle Chvostek’s brand new Resilience collection. Want to try and test your own resilience ?
Resilience ? Funny how things are sometimes emerging around you… Or may be, should I say : funny how  sometimes, we are able to give our mind the faculty to merge some multiple non-sense details surrounding your daily life into a single fact. From puzzling to evidence, maybe it’s just a matter of perception…anyway.
Dealing with resilience, I’m testing mine in both psychological and physical way, quitting smoking… oh my !

I’m quite fascinating by the fact that 98% of our 400 daily visitors are reading this blog without leaving a single comment… Aren’t you ? what ? dubitative ? Mysterious ways of modern communication… No i’m not awaiting for support… just trying to experiment this changing audience constituted by a majority of North-American people ; definitly coping with humour today ! Still someone around ?

Hum… I was supposed to introduce you last Miss Chvostek album…. yes, music is just a deluder…

Resilience ? Without a doubt, my favorite album this year in the female songwriter genre. My fellow Canadian blogger Smansmith should have been more prolix about this charismatic member of The Wailin’ Jennys, who received contributions in this new project from an impressive collection of talented friends amongst them,  Cockburn, Marie Gauthier, Ani DiFranco to name few..

As usual when an album is so good, let me tease you with the intro track…

 
 Resilience - Annabelle Chvostek [3:43m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Artist : Annabelle Chvostek
Label : none
Where to buy : cdbaby.com
More Appetizers :  @ Annabelle.org many mp3s to listen / @myspace as usual

Ryan Adams & The Cardinals - Cardinology

Published
by
Laura
on September 18, 2008
in Alt-Country, New Album Alert and On Tour
. 4 Comments

October is just turning out to be such an amazing month for me already and it is not even here yet. With a planned trip to Madison, WI to see Ryan Adams & The Cardinals, the release of Ray LaMontagne’s new album, and 2 Ray shows I am attending in NYC and Chicago, I really didn’t think it could get any better for me. I’ve stated it before on this blog and I’ll say it again: these two men are the musical loves of my life! Adding to all this excitement for me is the confirmation that Ryan & The Cardinals are releasing Cardinology October 28th on Lost Highway Records. I pretty much spit my drink on the keyboard when I read the news.

The album will be produced by Tom Schick who worked on Cold Roses and Jacksonville City Nights with them.

This will be the band’s first album to be billed as soley as The Cardinals.

Preorder Cardinology on vinyl: here

This vinyl version includes a bonus 7″, a comic book and a digital download code.

Track Listing:

1. Born Into A Light
2. Go Easy
3. Fix It
4. Magick
5. Cobwebs
6. Let Us Down Easy
7. Crossed Out Name
8. Natural Ghost
9. Sink Ships
10. Evergreen
11. Like Yesterday
12. Stop

First single “Fix It” will be digitally released to radio Tuesday, September 23, while “Stop” will receive a sneak premiere in the Tuesday, September 30 episode of THE CLEANER on the A&E network (check local listings).

In other news from Planet Cardinal, Infinity Blues, Ryan Adams’ first ever collection of non-musical writing will be published March 16, 2009 by venerable independent house Akashic Books. Infinity Blues will be available for pre-order through Akashic’s website beginning Monday, October 6 at

http://www.akashicbooks.com/ryanadamspreorder.htm.

Pre-orders will include a signed hardcover copy of “Infinity Blues,” with a bonus poetry chapbook by Ryan Adams titled “Sad American Mythology.” The limited edition signed and numbered chapbooks will be available only through the Akashic Books website as part of this pre-order

 
 Ryan Adams & The Cardinals - Dear John (Live @ St. Lukes, London): Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

 
 Ryan Adams - Like The Twilight: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

 
 Ryan Adams & The Cardinals - Withering Heights: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

The Low Anthem - Oh My God, Charlie Darwin

Published
by
Olivier
on September 10, 2008
in Acoustic, Alt-Country, Alternative, Americana, Folk, Indie and Singer Songwriter
. 1 Comment

This album had already been reviewed on many sites but I can’t resist ; nothing really original to comment, always a matter of sharing. On September 2th, The Low Anthem released their third full lengths “Oh My God, Charlie Darwin“.

Set the sails I feel the winds a’stirring
Toward the bright horizon set the way
Cast your wreckless dreaming on our Mayflower
Haven from the world and her decay
And who could heed the words of Charlie Darwin
Fighting for a system built to fail
Spooning water from their broken vessels
As far as I can see there is no land
Oh my god, the water’s all around us
Oh my god, it’s all around…

These are the first verses opening the new collection with the Charlie Darwin song. In a recent interview granted to The Providence Journal, Low Anthem, Ben Know Miller says “I think we pushed the hard things a little harder and made the soft things a little softer. The poles and the swings are a little wider”. After a first loop, I do agree. The two slowcoustic intro tracks are followed by two devilish folk tunes (almost traditional country) including a Tom Waits/Kerouac cover “Home I’ll Never Be”. Then another low rebound with the sublime ‘Ticket Taker’. And so the album is flowing with these unique textures (almost 30 instruments without counting voices have been used) already evoked in their sophomore brilliant opus ‘What the Crow Brings‘. This album is like the wind offering sweet breezes to stormy gusts ; a delicious balance between white, colours and black.
Low Anthems co-founders and multi-instrumentalists Ben Miller and Jeff Prystowsky have been joined by  Jocie Adams and Cyrus Scofield. The Band is on tour all this september month check the schedule.

 
 Charlie Darwin - The Low Anthem [4:33m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

 
 To Ohio - The Low Anthem [3:20m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Please, as usual, support the band on tour, at your local retailers or your online store.

Band : Low Anthem
Label : none
Where to buy : lowanthem.com / cdbaby.com
You should also enjoy : Camphor, Chris Bathgate
More Appetizers : @lowanthem.com - @myspace.com