What else can be said ? If you missed this track or this album, it’s here !
Archive for the 'Alt-Country' Category
Regular readers of this blog will know what huge fans of The Sumner Brothers we are. Having been writing about them for what seems like years, i (Geordie) rave about them any chance i get and am often telling folks that they are my favourite Canadian band. In fact, they are one of my favourite bands, period and their soon to be released, incredible new album only confirms further what i already think.
Although i’ve only had a couple of chances to listen to it, it’s already beginning to ingrain itself into my dna. Starting off with a screaming, rollicking track called Toughest Man In Prison Camp, it takes you a little bit by surprise given the usual, more mellower previous albums but it works tremendously well and would imagine gives you an idea into what you could expect if you saw them live (something i plan on doing in 2013).
Given the title of the album (a line from a Townes van Zandt song) it should come as no surprise there is a Townes cover in there and to my great delight, they cover one of my own personal favourites of Townes’, Colorado Girl. If any of you are lucky enough to be on The Sumners Brothers’ mailing list, you will already know what great covers they have done, everyone from Townes to A.P Dugas but they don’t just cover them, they make them their own, they turn them into Sumner Brothers songs. I like that. You will too, I promise.
Also on this new album are a couple of reworkings of a couple of songs they released on their In The Garage series, namely Going out West and You Will Find Me respectively. They are beefed up a little, more punchy, more production and both work tremendously well.
But i’m thrilled to hear some new tracks, it has seemed like such a long time since i heard any (although probably not as long as i think, i’m just eager and at times, impatient) Outside looking in is a reflective track, or more of an eye opener of something he didn’t realise was happening until something was over, hence the song title.
Both gifted with incredible voices, Brian at times has a slight shakey sound, i don’t mean that negatively, perhaps i’m looking for a more descriptive word than i can think of right now, full of emotion though and strikes right to the very heart of the song, like trying to sing while you’re weeping, perhaps? The Lord is My Protector is a great example of this and then with Bob taking the reins on the very next track (Brian doing the screaming bits), the more old timey feeling, When You Dig My Grave, the two songs back to back leave you in no doubt that you are listening to a band who are as good as anyone around right now. That’s Alright Mama, a song mostly famously sung by Elvis is given the Sumner Brothers treatment. Coming in at a bolstering, foot stomping 1 min 59 seconds, it’s a full body shake down before the beautiful ending to the album, the instrumental I Would Love You In The Kitchen.
However, we’re honoured to be able to stream the whole album for you on this blog right now and you can make your own mind up about it. Along with Hearya, SongsIllinois, Slowacoustic, Herohill and Ninebullets, we are all streaming the album in full for a whole week. We all agree that it’s time these two brothers were given the plaudits they fully deserve and we hope by streaming the album in full, you will also spread the word about them and bring about new fans. So please, spread the links everywhere! Twitter, Facebook, Morse Code, Carrie Pigeon…..err, telephone? Anything! Just spread the word folks! Enjoy!
You can pre-order the album here (and receive Goin’ Out West for free) Pre-order
Rather than put this particular list in any order of preference or to only choose a certain amount of albums, i’m just going to list the albums that have really struck me as my favourites of 2011 and let you be the judge. All i will say is that i think it’s been a pretty good year for music, especially at a roots and small, indie label level and i personally hope this trend continues into 2012 and beyond. It’s further proof that if you are making good music and bringing it to your live shows, word of mouth still counts for a lot. To be taken to the bands website to purchase the albums just click on their name. Please note, i’m not trying to review these albums here, there are far better places across the net to find those and i will often copy and paste quotes from them, but hopefully by listing my own personal favourites it helps spread the word that little bit further. Please, if you like any of these suggestions, go and buy the album or go and see them play if they come through your town and really help support them as well as your local promoters. Anyway, here goes and in no particular order my 2011 picks are….
Sarabeth Tucek – Get Well Soon
An album that gripped me on the very first listen. Sarabeth’s voice is crystal clear and each word clearly defined, it reminds me of Karen Carpenter’s in many ways, perhaps some Aimee Mann too. Having spent a few years drinking too much, getting arrested. spending time in jail and then the the death of her father, all that sadness, grief and regret all seems to spill out into this album. There’s heartbreaking ballads like the title track through to Crazy Horse influenced songs like Wooden and Exit Ghost. If i was really pushed into saying what my album of the year is, i think i would say this one. It’s certainly the album i’ve listened to the most, that’s for sure. ‘I knew I was sad /I recognised it was bad/but now looking back/I see my mind, it was cracked’ are the lyrics to the beginning of the title track and they get me every time. Put simply, a stunning album.
The Milk Carton Kids – Prologue
With Kenneth Pattengale and Joey Ryan having both released solo albums as well as an album together under their real names they seem to have now settled on The Milk Carton Kids which incidentally is a name of one of their songs. Kenneth’s facebook status at time of writing reads Home = 98 Away = 247 #NightsInMyOwnBed2011 which goes to show how hard these two work and they’ve already got a headline tour booked for January! It would seem all that hard work is paying off having just finished a tour supporting Over The Rhine and i’m hoping they get some European dates in 2012 too. Quite simply one of the best albums i’ve heard in a very long time and i think 2012 is going to be a very big year for these. Check them out.
Good Luck Mountain – Good Luck Mountain
You have to have a pretty cold heart not to be moved by this incredible album. Mike Ferrio’s previous band, Tandy came to an end after his great friend and band member Drew Glackin tragically passed away aged just 44. Good Luck Mountain is an attempt to deal with this tragic event and to say it succeeds majestically would be an understatement. As Mike said himself “When Drew died it really took the paint off me. I couldn’t seem to do anything but think about it and grieve. I missed singing and laughing with Drew. It was a big silence. After a while I began to be able to hear his voice and his laughter again and after a while the songs started coming” Do yourself a favour and buy this album immediately, your life will be so much better for it.
Cahalen Morrison & Eli West – The Holy Coming Of The Storm
Taking bluegrass to a whole, new level. While we all love to hear the old classics you can start to hear them being played by a million different bluegrass bands too often so it’s brilliantly refreshing to hear a band write and play their own songs in this style and ones that can sit proudly alongside the old ones. This is their debut album and you’d think they’d been at it for years. Talent.
The Brook Lee Catastrophe – Motel Americana
A late contender for album of the year in my opinion. Represents everything that’s great about Americana, brilliantly written songs about girls, love, heartache and everyday, small town life played with heart and soul. As well as the usual cd/mp3 option there is also vinyl which is limited to just 200 copies which i highly recommend. This band are going places and are worth keeping your eye on.
Jjango Cleefworth Morriconez – The Poquito Pioneer
‘The meandering green 74’ Oldsmobile resident travels through the deserts of the waning west and teetering bordertowns. He finds refuge among the roadside vendors and immigrant folktales on his way to the home of his youth in the Salton Sea‘
Certainly the most atmospheric pieces of music i heard this year are these two gems. Essentially the same person (J.W.S) but two different concept albums which were created somewhere out in the desert of New Mexico. Having been delivered to me wrapped in a map of that area and a note written in orange crayon, nothing could have prepared for what i was about to hear. I’m not anywhere near a descriptive enough writer to express how good these two albums are. I say albums, i suppose they could be the A and B sides of one album but the mixture of sounds, anything from field recordings to synths, all with a slight cosmic, tripped out country tinge to it all, they mess with your head somewhat, they scare me a little bit if i’m honest but if you follow the concept then that’s not surprising. If you want to listen to something a little bit different, totally unique, a little bit creepy but but also incredibly beautiful then i HIGHLY recommend these two albums. Just stunning! (Word reaches The Lonesome Drifter that these are both available for free for a very limited time only over at the website. However, i still say pay the few $’ he’s asking and receive the real thing)
Jeffrey Wentworth Stevens – Highway Driveway
‘ A townman’s roadtrip from driveway highway to highway driveway. Sun rising and sun setting euphoria as he wanders across the lost western expanse of the Sonoran desert on Dwight D. Eisenhower’s gas strewn trails‘
An absolutely classic that never received the plaudits it really deserves. A variety of styles throughout the album which i think works tremendously well but given that she grew up in Israel, Holland, Paris and now resides in New York it’s no surprise there’s elements of Jewish folk and something rather ‘French’ sounding throughout it all, whatever that means. However, it’s her dreamy voice which stands out and no matter what kind of day you have had, this album and her voice always makes it much better.
Jonny Kearney & Lucy Farrell – Kite
Given that i played their debut EP ’The North Farm Sessions’ to death i thought i was perhaps expecting too much of their debut album, Kite, but if anything i wasn’t expecting enough! Produced by Adrian McNally (The Unthanks) it’s a fine, fine debut with a perfect mixture of their own songs and a couple of covers with Lucy leaning towards the more traditional sounding songs and Jonny a little more contemporary but together they have released one of the years best albums in any genre. 2012 is going to be their year. Watch this space.
An album i first came across over at Songsillinois.net and he sums it up nicely saying there is a certain James McMurtry similarity going on here but i think also some Springsteen too. Really deep, powerful songs that i think John Conquest of Third Coast Music summed up perfectly, writing “Bell’s mature talent makes a good case for the argument that people shouldn’t start writing songs until they’ve been around long enough to know what the fuck they’re talking about.” Can’t argue with that really.
Eilen Jewell – Queen Of The Minor Key
An album that get’s better with every listen. Eilen has come a long, long way since here excellent debut, Boundary County but i think this latest album really highlights her diversity. Backed magnificently by one of the best bands you will ever hear there is everything from surf to rockabilly but of course inside it all is still the country girl shimmering away as good as anyone. Queen of any key if you ask me. A must have album.
I could try and come across as all cool and hip and say i’ve been into The Shivers since blah blah blah but i won’t, because i haven’t. In fact i only knew of them a couple of months ago when instead of agreeing to pay £28 to go see Gillian Welch i paid £5 to go see these and i came away with the vinyl, a new favourite band and a night that will live long in the memory. Everyone should dig The Shivers because they are as honest as they come and they hit that spot not only once or twice but in pretty much every song they create. Dig, dig, DIG!
Jeffrey Foucault – Horse Latitudes
Lush, country/folk ballads as good as anything i’ve heard this year. It also features the immense talents of Eric Heywood (Ray Lamontagne,Son Volt) on pedal steel, it’s delicately played alongside Jeffrey’s guitar and soothing, husky voice making for an exceptional album that i think many readers of this blog will love. Go get it now!
The Lucky Strikes – Gabriel Forgive My 22 Sins
A concept album about a boxer who is living with the guilt of once throwing a fight, based on a true meeting with the boxer in question by all accounts. All that aside, it really is a masterpiece of an album and one i’ve gone back to time and time again since it’s release earlier in the year. With Matthew Boulter’s incredible voice leading the way this band can do no wrong for me. When i had the pleasure of booking them to play my hometown, they played like they were in an arena of 50,000 people instead of the 45 or so who were in attendance so for that alone they are in my list but that’s not the main reason they are. This great album has everything. Soaring vocals, full on rock at times, beautiful, well crafted ballads but most of all every time i play it i smile from ear to ear, it’s just one of those albums that does that.
Israel Nash Gripka – Barn Doors and Concrete Floors
Israel is someone who i think is going to break through into the mainstream very, very soon. This Steve Shelley produced album kind of follows on from his debut, New York Town with it’s Country/Rock swagger. Songs of temptation and redemption counteract one another perfectly with many foot stompers and big choruses to sing along to. Much of the music press compared him to The Rolling Stones in country mode mixed with some Ryan Adams. I’d say that pretty much sums it up. Great album and a must see live band. Take your ear plugs!
Case Hardin – Every Dirty Mirror
When it comes to UK Americana, ukericana? they don’t come much better than Case Hardin. Reviewers across the music press said things like ‘Self-confident and unafraid to experiment, Every Dirty Mirror touches base with a range of sounds found in the post-Uncle Tupelo soundscape’ and ‘echoes Dylans Desire period in both scope and atmosphere and marks out Gow as one of our finest storytelling songwriters.’ Not a bad track on the the album. Highly recommended.
Hiss Golden Messenger – Poor Moon
Featuring contributions from Terry Lonergan, Nathan Bowles (Black Twig Pickers; Pelt), Hans Chew (D. Charles Speer & the Helix), Matt Cunitz (Brightblack Morning Light), Tom Heyman (The Court & Spark), and others, Poor Moon represents both an elaboration and inversion of previous Hiss Golden Messenger efforts, proposing an America at perpetual sundown, wracked by devotion, wrecked by celebration. Named in homage to the Canned Heat track penned by the immortal Blind Owl, Poor Moon conjures the unsteady experience of soul at home in the wild, and it stands as a captivating document of Southern songcraft. Paradise of Bachelors
King Creosote & Jon Hopkins – Diamond Mine
Both share a taste for a rather languid tempo, that of small-town life and the more tender, bittersweet emotions; and theirs is a pairing that’s complementary, Hopkins colouring in the spaces around Anderson’s wearied voice, guitar and woozy accordion. BBC
An album that seeks to explore the folksinger’s contradictory status as an outsider, often recording and touring alone, a situation seemingly at odds with folk’s suggestion of community. The result is a record fraught with geographic dissatisfaction, heartbreak, ghosts, isolation and drunkenness. Sitting uncomfortably somewhere between auto-biography and allegory the songs take in real life events and fantastical narrative concerning relationships, the dangers of being eaten by the dead and the difficulties of communicating when at sea. Armellodie Records
Danny Schmidt – Man Of Many Moons
Having now released numerous albums and all of them received really well across the music press, it’s still surprising that Danny Schmidt is not a household name. Talent oozes from every single part of this man. Writes a song as good as anyone around, plays the guitar like he was born with it in his arms and sings beautifully with his slightly whispered tone. If you don’t yet know Danny Schmidt,please correct that wrong asap because your world will be all the better for it.
There are many more great albums i heard this year but these are the ones that really stood out for me.I will also be playing a track from each one of these album on my radio show THIS Saturday from 10am (UK Time) on Radio23.org and a podcast will be available to download afterwards from my blog. Hope you enjoy and hopefully you may have found something you’ve never heard before and you then also spread the word.
My tip for next year is concept albums, they’re going to be everywhere. Happy 2012!
One of the most anticipated albums for me this year is The Deep Dark Woods. Their 2009 album Winter Hours was in my top albums of that year and their new one, The Place I Left Behind is now becoming a firm favourite of 2011. There are many things to love about TDDW. Their consistency for one. In all their four releases so far they have yet to make a bad one, in fact it’s very difficult to put them in order of preference because they are all outstanding. Like some of the old songs they have covered in the past they make music that i think will stand the test of time, albums that you will return to time and time again. In fact, their albums are very much like that, they don’t always grab you on your first lesson but over a period of a few, but each one brings something new, a favourite new track or a missed lyric that makes you go back and listen again until you realise that you are listening to one of the best bands around. However, it’s impossible to miss, be it on first or last listen the sad, wistful voice of lead singer and main songwriter Ryan Boldt. Does anyone sing a murder ballad better? Also, everyone in the band can really play as the video below clearly shows (also on the new album). Not many bands are making music as good as TDDW as far as i’m concerned.
Now signed to the brilliant Six Shooter Records the new records is out on 2nd August (Canada) and Sugarhill records are releasing it worldwide on 18th October. Their next shows are Edmonton F0lk Festival and then various dates across Canada and beyond. Go see em.
If you really can’t wait for the album to be released you can stream it here.
It’s almost four years since I posted on here about New York band Tandy. Some of you may know that not long afterwards on the 3 January 2008 band member Drew Glackin (also Silos) died suddenly from cardiac arrest so effectively bringing an end to Tandy. Below is a copy and paste from the Good Luck Mountain website. No mp3′s to offer as only available in 12″ vinyl format, (although i see a link for itunes) this is more of a heads up to let you know that Mike Ferrio is back with his new band and has made one of the years best albums. Buy it.
Good Luck Mountain is a new beginning.
The debut record is an ensemble recording. It’s an art project for a friend, designed to work best in the 12″ vinyl LP format. The music is surprising. Things pop out. It’s a beautiful odd-duck of a record. The theme seems to be that we begin to see how precious Life is when we give Death it’s due.
The band is a collective made up of seasoned players from other bands including…
Konrad Meissner (The Silos, Matt Nathanson),
Jason Mercer (Ron Sexsmith, Ani DiFranco, Ana Egge),
Sibel Firat (Pavement,Giant Sand, Fab Faux),
Matt Mays (The Guthries, Matt Mays and El Torpedo),
David Chernis (Star City, The Damnwells),
Ana Egge (Ana Egge!).
Also an important part of the Good Luck Mountain sound is the extraordinary violinist Eleanor Whitmore and Viola and Trombone by Lucy Hollier.
I recently wrote about Jessica here after seeing her play and wowing the crowd at the end of the road festival. I was a little slow on the uptake about that particularly album but not so slow on her new one, tell me which is just out Nonesuch records. Picking up from where her last album left off Jessica writes songs that belies her 21 years on this planet. Produced by the black keys Dan Auerbach, she sings songs of failed romances and hopeful futures, vulnerability and lost causes, she’s an extremely honest and confident songwriter who rather than mourn about a relationship break up would rather say your loss, I aint got time to be messing around. Ballsy without being arrogant I love her attitude in her songwriting which reminds me of female country singers like Tammy Wynette or more notebly Lucinda Williams albeit a little less twangy. I think this girl is going to be massive and urge you to take a listen. She’s about to embark on an American tour before hitting Europe for a few dates before going back to the states and I urge you to go and catch her play live as she’s pretty special.
By far my favourite band at the moment is Southend’s (An area slowly becoming known as The Thames Delta) The Lucky Strikes. Having just realeased their third album, Gabriel, Forgive My 22 Sins to critical acclaim I’m hoping to see them rise to the stardom their talent surely deserves. A concept album about a boxer who slowly descends into madness because of the guilt he suffers from having thrown a fight. Apparently based on the true story of a boxer the band once met. The first thing that hits you is lead singer Matthew Boulter’s soaring, passionate vocals as the album starts with him screaming ‘The King Is Dead!’ before hitting you with some pounding bass and drums, a pretty heavy rock sounding start which jumps in and out throughout the album, but a geat start to what is so far my album of incredible year for music. The album continues with it’s blues/rock edge adding keys, drums and some extraordinary fiddle playing from ‘Big’ Jim Wilson. I had the pleasure of them playing for Drifter Promotions just recently and someone mentioned it was like hearing a mixture of Thin Lizzy and The Felice Brothers which i thought summed them up rather perfectly, even more so when they covered Whisky In The Jar as their encore! Although this may be a concept album each song holds up as a single track but I would urge you to buy this album and follow the story through. Stand out tracks for me are Snake In The Grass, The Fight and album closer We Are Waves which you can grab here. This is not so much a review but more of a head’s up to watch out for this band. Check them out, they’re incredible!
