Josh Harty – Nowhere (2012) 3***
Mellow of sound but it’s dark subject matter, excellent vocals and sparse instrumentation
give a nice balance to this seven song collection of folksy bluesiness!
http://joshharty.com/
(Full review to follow)
The Well Diggers – Hope & Fear (2012) 4.5****
Excellent album of alt. country rock, with good songs and edgy evocative vocals
http://welldiggersband.com/
(Full review to follow)
The Deadfields – dance in the sun (2012) 3***
A good album of modern country rock with some decent songs and playing but given an
added boost by some tremendous lead and harmony vocals
http://www.thedeadfields.com/
The Avett Brothers – The Carpenter (2012) 3***
Decent rootsy pop/rock with several outstanding songs that lift it above the mundane
http://www.theavettbrothers.com/
The Lost Brothers – The passing of the night (2012) 4****
Sublime harmonies from this talented Irish duo on some mainly dark Americana tales.
http://thelostbrothersband.com/
(Full review to follow)
Donald Fagen – Sunken condos (2012) 4.5****
Not quite up there with ‘The Nightfly’ or ‘Can’t buy a thrill’ but not far off!
http://donaldfagen.com/
Al Scorch & the Country Soul Ensemble –Tired ghostly town (2012) 4.5****
Tremendous album of modern old timey music with a large slice of originality by a talented singer songwriter and his band.
http://www.alscorch.com/
(Full review to follow)
Added 23-10-12
MidDay farm Report (2012) 3.5****
Very good album of classic alt. country that includes some evocative stories as well as some excellent playing and singing.
http://middayfarmreport.com/
(Full review to follow)
Carolina Chocolate Drops – Leaving Eden (2012) 4.5****
If ever a string band seamlessly blended blues, country, folk, old timey etc. it is this incredibly talented trio! Could be the best yet in a catalogue of superb albums.
http://www.carolinachocolatedrops.com/
(Full review may follow)
Crystal Bright & the Silver Hands – Muses & Bones (2011) 3.5***
Hauntingly melodramatic, at times ethereal mix of gypsy, mariachi and goodness knows what else with beautifully expressive vocals, incredible arrangements and tremendous playing. A sound that sometimes has a sinister, dark, freaky 19th century circus atmosphere and is often driven by brass, musical saw and accordion! Has been compared to Kate Bush but any comparisons do Crystal a huge disservice thanks to the the incredible originality of this album that can be put into the
roots music category simply because it’s roots are on planet earth, or at least most of them are! Can’t even say I love everything about the album but it is almost certainly unique in 21st century music.
http://crystalbrightandthesilverhands.com/
Rosie Flores – Working girl’s guitar (2012) 4****
Beautifully diverse set of songs enhanced by Rosie’s gorgeous vocals and her incredible guitar playing virtuosity. The same tremendous quality as she has delivered all through her several decades spanning career.
http://www.rosieflores.com/
(Full review may follow)
Added 29-10-12
The Crooked Jades – Bright Land (2012) 4****
Mainly traditional album of hauntingly eerie old timey music.
http://www.crookedjades.com/
(Full review to follow)
The Red Dirt Skinners (2012) 3***
Unusual album that is a sparse blend of jazzy country with an added bluesiness
http://www.reddirtskinners.com/
Old Man Luedecke – Tender is the night (2012) 4****
More great banjo driven story songs from this talented Canadian singer songwriter
http://oldmanluedecke.ca/
(Full review may follow)
Junior Brown – Volume 10 (2012) 3***
Terrific 6 track e.p with deep rich vocals on some excellent songs and as much twang as anyone could possibly want!
http://www.juniorbrown.com/
The Good Luck Thrift Store Outfit – Old Excuses (2012) 4.5****
Tremendous album that blends country, old timey, alt. country into a pretty much unique stew, driven along by some excellent playing and some great songs, with the added bonus of two entirely different lead vocal styles from Willie Tea Taylor and Chris Doud.
http://www.reverbnation.com/tgltso
http://www.myspace.com/thegoodluckthriftstoreoutfit
(Full review to follow)
Mellow of sound but it’s dark subject matter, excellent vocals and sparse instrumentation
give a nice balance to this seven song collection of folksy bluesiness!
http://joshharty.com/
(Full review to follow)
The Well Diggers – Hope & Fear (2012) 4.5****
Excellent album of alt. country rock, with good songs and edgy evocative vocals
http://welldiggersband.com/
(Full review to follow)
The Deadfields – dance in the sun (2012) 3***
A good album of modern country rock with some decent songs and playing but given an
added boost by some tremendous lead and harmony vocals
http://www.thedeadfields.com/
The Avett Brothers – The Carpenter (2012) 3***
Decent rootsy pop/rock with several outstanding songs that lift it above the mundane
http://www.theavettbrothers.com/
The Lost Brothers – The passing of the night (2012) 4****
Sublime harmonies from this talented Irish duo on some mainly dark Americana tales.
http://thelostbrothersband.com/
(Full review to follow)
Donald Fagen – Sunken condos (2012) 4.5****
Not quite up there with ‘The Nightfly’ or ‘Can’t buy a thrill’ but not far off!
http://donaldfagen.com/
Al Scorch & the Country Soul Ensemble –Tired ghostly town (2012) 4.5****
Tremendous album of modern old timey music with a large slice of originality by a talented singer songwriter and his band.
http://www.alscorch.com/
(Full review to follow)
Added 23-10-12
MidDay farm Report (2012) 3.5****
Very good album of classic alt. country that includes some evocative stories as well as some excellent playing and singing.
http://middayfarmreport.com/
(Full review to follow)
Carolina Chocolate Drops – Leaving Eden (2012) 4.5****
If ever a string band seamlessly blended blues, country, folk, old timey etc. it is this incredibly talented trio! Could be the best yet in a catalogue of superb albums.
http://www.carolinachocolatedrops.com/
(Full review may follow)
Crystal Bright & the Silver Hands – Muses & Bones (2011) 3.5***
Hauntingly melodramatic, at times ethereal mix of gypsy, mariachi and goodness knows what else with beautifully expressive vocals, incredible arrangements and tremendous playing. A sound that sometimes has a sinister, dark, freaky 19th century circus atmosphere and is often driven by brass, musical saw and accordion! Has been compared to Kate Bush but any comparisons do Crystal a huge disservice thanks to the the incredible originality of this album that can be put into the
roots music category simply because it’s roots are on planet earth, or at least most of them are! Can’t even say I love everything about the album but it is almost certainly unique in 21st century music.
http://crystalbrightandthesilverhands.com/
Rosie Flores – Working girl’s guitar (2012) 4****
Beautifully diverse set of songs enhanced by Rosie’s gorgeous vocals and her incredible guitar playing virtuosity. The same tremendous quality as she has delivered all through her several decades spanning career.
http://www.rosieflores.com/
(Full review may follow)
Added 29-10-12
The Crooked Jades – Bright Land (2012) 4****
Mainly traditional album of hauntingly eerie old timey music.
http://www.crookedjades.com/
(Full review to follow)
The Red Dirt Skinners (2012) 3***
Unusual album that is a sparse blend of jazzy country with an added bluesiness
http://www.reddirtskinners.com/
Old Man Luedecke – Tender is the night (2012) 4****
More great banjo driven story songs from this talented Canadian singer songwriter
http://oldmanluedecke.ca/
(Full review may follow)
Junior Brown – Volume 10 (2012) 3***
Terrific 6 track e.p with deep rich vocals on some excellent songs and as much twang as anyone could possibly want!
http://www.juniorbrown.com/
The Good Luck Thrift Store Outfit – Old Excuses (2012) 4.5****
Tremendous album that blends country, old timey, alt. country into a pretty much unique stew, driven along by some excellent playing and some great songs, with the added bonus of two entirely different lead vocal styles from Willie Tea Taylor and Chris Doud.
http://www.reverbnation.com/tgltso
http://www.myspace.com/thegoodluckthriftstoreoutfit
(Full review to follow)