IT'S A CRACKER!
MURRY HAMMOND ** AUTOGRAPHED (while supplies last)**
I Don't Know Where I'm Going...
Murry Hammond is, perhaps, best known as the bass player for The Old 97's. Do not expect a rehashing of the Old 97's sound on Hammond's solo debut. I Don't Know Where I'm Going... is rooted in traditional folk, country and old-timey. Hammond, always good for a song or two on each Old 97's release, offers up 17 tracks that seamlessly mixes originals with traditional songs and songs by The Carter Family and Eliza Snow. Producer Mark Neill's "analog only" recording adds warmth and character to Hammond's gentle acoustic tales. He can make his living with his day job playing bass for the Old 97's. Let's hope this first foray into his solo recording career is only a precursor of more to come. -- Jeff Weiss, Miles of Music (self)

Listen to the entire album on Last.fm

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OLD 97'S
Blame It On Gravity (Deluxe)
The bonus DVD contains a 44 minute documentary on the history of the band including live performances featuring classics and new songs.

Blame It On Gravity is the seventh studio album and the first new album in 4 years from alt-country pioneers Old 97 s. The album finds the band turning up the amps and returning to the satisfying crunch with a mix of rock, punk, pop and classic country that defined the band s sound on earlier albums. The band credits the new album s enthusiasm to their return to their hometown of Dallas, TX to record, the first time since their initial independent release. The band, still comprised of original members Rhett Miller, Murry Hammond, Ken Bethea and Philip Peeples, deliver what they believe is the finest album of their 15-year career. (New West)
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ERSI ARVIZU
Friend For Life
Ersi Arvizu is best known as the lead singer of '70s East LA group El Chicano. Ry Cooder first tracked Arvisu down in 2002 as he put together Chavez Ravine. After year of effort Cooder finally cajoling her into making a solo album.

The San Diego Union-Tribune said, "Mostly autobiographic, these 12 tracks are Arvizu's first solo effort, not to mention her first songwriting credits. She has a voice that can be as hard as a revolutionary, or as gentle and sexy as a kitten. She has lived the life she sings about." -- Anti-

Profile in LA Times

NPR story

Harp Magazine profile
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NIK FREITAS ** SOUND CLIPS ADDED **
Sun Down
"Though a disciple of a path well beaten -- organic singer/songwriter wielding riffing guitars and tapping ivories -- Nik Frietas carves a niche all his own with lyrically meditative, wistful, and Americana-tinged tunes paying tribute to yet never aping touchstones likes Bob Dylan, Paul Simon, and even Ben Kweller. And with Sun Down, Freitas' third record to date out May 6 via Team Love, the troubadour dives into the frequented genre's fabric and offers an album that simultaneously evokes sentiments of nostalgia and innovation." -- William Goodman, Spin.com

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JOE COCKER
Hymn For My Soul
Joe Cocker's latest offering is a classy, soulful and accomplished piece of work from start to finish - and despite being a relatively short 37 minutes in length it is without doubt very good value for money. . . From the opening bars of You Haven't Done Nothin', complete with a superb saxophonist performance from Tom Scott, all the way through to gospel-esque title track, the album is infectious and Cocker's voice as raw and powerful as ever. . . In addition to the above-mentioned tracks the rest of the material on Hymn For My Soul spans the decades. Cocker lends his trademark voice to cover the classic Bob Dylan track Ring Them Bells and George Harrison's Beware Of The Darkness. There is also a fine version of the Creedence Clearwater Revival song Long As I Can See The Light. . . . Cocker has said that he wanted Hymn For My Soul to be a complete record and not just a string of singles -- and with this offering he has certainly achieved his goal. The album is sung, played and produced to a phenomenally high standard, and it is without doubt Cocker's best work in years. . . The delicately soulful feel maintained throughout the record makes Hymn For My Soul the perfect album to put on at lazy Sunday summer afternoon barbeque this year, as Joe Cocker demonstrates once again he is stall going strong as he approach's his twilight years. 8.5/10. Jamie Reid, inthenews.co.uk (Concord)
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JEB LOY NICHOLS
Days Are Mighty
Limited Edition 2-Disc Version featuring 10 previously unavailable demos (while supplies last)

Born in Wyoming but now based in North Wales via New York, Austin and London among other places, Jeb Loy Nichols has taken quite a journey and seems to have a great outlook on life and his place in the world.

Days Are Mighty reflects his philosophy with laid-back, feel-good soul, soaked in Stevie Wonder-like harmonica, gentle guitars and keys.

There's a light summer breeze that blows through the album and you could draw comparisons with Jack Johnson, but Nichols has a more soulful and sincere disposition. -- Christopher Rees, Western Mail
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IT'S A CRACKER!
GOOD INTENTIONS
Poor Boy
The Good Intentions have captured a gorgeous Byrds-ian country/folk-jangle that gently oozes out. Peter, Paul and Mary is the obvious touchstone for the poignant harmonies of R. Peter Davies, Gabriel Monk, and Frank Roskell. The music feels relaxed, alive, vulnerable, and spontaneous. Charlie McGovern's sensitive production, as well as expert backing from Rick Shea, Rob Douglas, and Mike Stinson, gives Poor Boy a laid-back vibe that grows richer with every listen. (Boronda)

Good Intentions myspace page

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IT'S A CRACKER!
MEKONS
The Mekons Story
Originally released in 1982, The Mekons Story (also known as It Falleth like the Gentle Rain from Heaven) is a collection of rare and unobtainable tracks from the U.K. punk legends Jon Langford describes as "our revenge on the world". This 20 track CD includes brilliant outtakes, unreleased tracks, alternate versions, B-sides, as well as a handful of live radio sessions recorded between 1977 and 1982 during the first Mekons incarnation. With a drunken sounding David Spencer providing a between cuts "history" of the band, this, more than any other Mekons recording, shows their crucial and comic postpunk development. From cacophonic punk, primitive disco, agitated funk and new wave, and synth pop, the consistent thread in this material is the sheer brilliance of the Mekons` literacy in songwriting. Tracks: Letter`s In The Post / Not a Bitterman (Born To Be Mild) / Dance and Drink the Mekons / Bomb Train / Trouble Down South / Car-Men / Eden / Frustration / Fight The Cuts / Byron / This Sporting Life / Rosanne / Garden Fence of Sound / Miriam Always / Walking Song / The Building / I`m So Happy / I Bought You These / He Beat Up His Boyfriend / 1st Guitarist (Buried Treasures)
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STEVE EARLE
Copperhead Road (Deluxe)
27 Tracks On 2 CDs. 11 Previously Unreleased. This Deluxe Edition offers a deep look at Earle on stage in the months surrounding the recording and release of Copperhead Road. A November 1987 performance from Raleigh, North Carolina, by the Exit 0 band includes early renditions of 'The Devil’s Right Hand' and 'Johnny Come Lately,' plus three tracks dating back to his Epic sessions. The deluxe digipak packaging with 24 page booklet featuring lyrics, rare photos and liner notes by noted author and DJ Chris Morris. (Geffen)
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STEVE EARLE
Live At Austin Texas November 12, 2000
When Steve Earle stepped onto the Austin City Limits stage on November 12, 2000, it had been 14 years since his first appearance in 1986. In between it must have seemed like he had lived several lifetimes. A bout with drug addiction sidetracked him in the early 90's, but by 1994 he was recovered and more ornery and prolific than ever. In fact, in the years since, he released five albums, including his latest at the time of this recording, Transcendental Blues. Of the record, Rolling Stone wrote, These songs weave threads that bind Ireland and the American south, rockabilly and the Beatles, folk music and muscular rock and roll. (track listings)
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STEVE EARLE
Live At Austin Texas November 12, 2000
When Steve Earle stepped onto the Austin City Limits stage on November 12, 2000, it had been 14 years since his first appearance in 1986. In between it must have seemed like he had lived several lifetimes. A bout with drug addiction sidetracked him in the early 90's, but by 1994 he was recovered and more ornery and prolific than ever. In fact, in the years since, he released five albums, including his latest at the time of this recording, Transcendental Blues. Of the record, Rolling Stone wrote, These songs weave threads that bind Ireland and the American south, rockabilly and the Beatles, folk music and muscular rock and roll. (track listings)
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IT'S A CRACKER!
PETER COOPER
Mission Door
Peter Cooper brings the eye of a journalist -- his day job -- to his songs, but adds sympathy to what is otherwise honest reporting. He writes about idealized and fallen idols, barrooms and shady characters. Cooper is joined by steel wizard Lloyd Green on the record and in the producer's chair. Evocative songs, exemplary playing and Cooper's easy delivery combine making Mission Door an album rich for repeated listenings. (Red Beet)
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DILLARD & CLARK
Fantastic Expedition Of Dillard & Clark
The 1968 debut, originally released on A&M, from one of the first and finest L.A. country-rock outfits. Comprised of Gene Clark, hot on the heels of his departure from the Byrds and his debut solo release (with the Gosdin Bros.), and Doug Dillard, the virtuosic banjoist/guitarist of the Dillards. Gene Clark is perhaps the most underrated songwriter of the 1960s and this could very well be his finest post-Byrds moment. Featuring help from fellow Byrd Chris Hillman, future Burrito Brother "Sneaky" Pete Kleinow, and future Burrito/Eagle Bernie Leadon, this is an absolutely essential piece of L.A. country-rock history, not to mention an out and out masterpiece. (Water)
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FLIGHT OF THE CONCHORDS
Flight Of The Conchords
This acclaimed Kiwi novelty band follow the release of their six-track Grammy Award-winning CD EP "The Distant Future" with their full-length debut. Features fully fleshed-out and professionally recorded versions of the duo's concerts and TV favorites. Bret McKenzie and Jemaine Clement's trademark acoustic guitars lead the blitz, backed by a diverse array of instrumentation and production technique. If amazing, delightful, and hilarious is your idea of funny, then prepare for undisappointment. These fifteen songs pay homage to Pet Shop Boys, censorship, Marvin Gaye, sexism, Shabba Ranks, and backhanded compliments. Tracks: Foux du Fafa / Inner City Pressure / .Hiphopopotamus vs. Rhymenoceros / Think About It / Ladies of the World / Mutha'uckas / Prince of Parties / Leggy Blonde / Robots / Boom / .A Kiss is Not a Contract / The Most Beautiful Girl in the Room / Business Time / Bowie / Au Revoir (Sub Pop)
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GRIFFIN HOUSE
Flying Upside Down
In this day and age, Singer-Songwriters are often compared to other similar artists from both past and present. For Nashville-based performer Griffin House the chief comparison seems to be Josh Ritter or Ryan Adams. Griffin's latest offering, Flying Upside Down opens with the track 'Better Than Love' and the opening notes and lyrics for that cut is drenched with the sound of Adams. House does make clear that he is his own artist however. On this album, House never quite reaches the highs of Adams best works (think Heartbreaker-era), but he also never sinks to the meandering, moody and often times self-indulgent lows of Adams past either (think 29). . . The album's star track is 'When the Time is Right'. This cut offers simplicity, but doesnt let that stand in the way of setting an atmospheric, wistful and yearning vibe. All in all, Flying Upside Down succeeds much in the way a folk record that isn't attempting to alter the musical landscape should. House establishes a folky-pop presence and displays the chops that will likely show a great deal of development over the next couple of albums. -- twangville.com

GRIFFIN HOUSE ON NPR

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DIXIE BEE LINERS
Ripe
"Every once in a great while a new release comes across our desk that introduces a band that we know is going to be the next big thing in bluegrass music...The Dixie Bee-Li ners are one of those bands...pure to the bluegrass tradition and the vocal performances are beyond words. They are profoundly talented and the sound is their own.' -- Robert Bartosh, Roots Music Report (Pinecastle)
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IT'S A CRACKER!
THE HUMMING FIELD
The Humming Field
Matt Cullen, veteran of the Easthampton. MA rock scene, returns with his first post-Ware River Club project. Tom Sturm of valleyadvocate.com summarized The Humming Field thus, "The disc will surely please fans of Bowie, Simon and Garfunkel, XTC, Elliot Smith, Radiohead and of course, The Beatles; in fact, it plays very much like a modern-day, Americanized George Harrison solo album in a lot of ways." The band works in the same roots/Brit-pop mix of The Wallflowers and Minibar. Cullen's vocals are rough-hewn but melodic adding an edge to the band's outstanding release. -- Jeff Weiss, Miles of Music (self)
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DEATH CAB FOR CUTIE
Narrow Stairs
After hearing Narrow Stairs earlier this week, it turns out that everything I had known about Death Cab was wrong. They are actually a really great band, and Stairs is unquestionably the best thing they've ever done. It's a ballsy, brave effort, sonically every bit as dissonant and sanguine as you have heard, full of songs that thrash and rattle and bounce around echo chambers, tunes that display muscle and bravado and even brains. Lyrically, Ben Gibbard — who had always erred on the literal side a bit too much for my tastes — goes to places he's never visited before, documenting the harrowing (and often unspoken) truths that course through our brains when we're trapped in dying relationships or dead-end lives. It's terrifying and unsettling and liberating all at once — a record that sounds like a band throwing caution to the wind and just going for it, which makes it everything you could possibly ask for from a group of musicians, and an early contender for the best album of 2008. -- James Montgomery, mtv.com

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DUFFY
Rockferry
Somewhere there's an unofficial manual about how to create legendary soul albums. There's advice for budding new artists on how to screw up their life a bit, get their heart broken, acquire some 'issues' and turn it all into music. Listening to Rockferry, it's evident that Duffy hasn't yet read this book; the haunting experience of hurt is tangible by its absence. However, the scholarly pursuit of her craft has resulted in an album that's a delicious confection of elegent, bluesy soul. It's not legendary, but it's well over halfway there. . . The spine-tingling orchestration comes courtesy of a dream team of writers and producers, one of which is indie veteran Bernard Butler: the thinking man's Mark Ronson. He brings the album to a dazzling denouement with Distant Dreamer - a sonic waterfall of strings so uplifting you emerge drenched in hope. Elsewhere, the Dusty Springfield comparisons find justification in the likes of debut single Rockferry and Warwick Avenue, a stirring tale of strength and walking away. There are few low points to be found, with the Gabrielle-esque Stepping Stone noticeably hanging limply in the tracklisting. . . The subject matter of Rockferry is the preserve of classic soul - rueful tales of myriad insubordinations at the hands of dastardly men - and Duffy's voice is an understated sensation. Yet her youth and naivety mean she's been force-fed pain like she's songstress foie gras. The result is that it's the quality of her sound that resonates, rather than the emotional force of the lyrics. True soul serves up solace for the broken-hearted. With Duffy, lyrics like ''In an instant you were gone / And now I'm scared'' (from sublime relationship eulogy, Scared) simply don't shatter romantic idealism the way they should. After three years of musical growth, Duffy has found her voice - now it's time to enrich it by living. -- Sophie Hammer, bbc.co.uk (Island Def Jam)
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ELVIS COSTELLO
Momofuku
You really are here because you want to know how good 'Momofuku' is. It's excellent! One of his best! I don't say that lightly, either. It's obvious on first listen that the reason why he decided to set the record off with an initial vinyl-only strategy was because this is a classic-level Elvis Costello record. He surely wanted to remind his listeners of the first time they listened to 'My Aim Is True' or 'This Year's Model.' This is not Elvis Costello experimenting with his classical side. It is an old-school Elvis Costello record with occasionally loud guitars, plenty of bile and a bit of punctuating organ here and there. Don't get me wrong, this isn't a full-tilt rock album, because it does have its softer, more reflective moments, but so do the two classics listed above. Costello is a songwriter and he tends to like to write lyrically dense material. Sometimes you need a softer backdrop to tell a story. Like his 2002 masterpiece, 'When I Was Cruel' and his 1994 rocker 'Brutal Youth,' this album finds Costello in a very familiar comfortable place. All the albums I have just listed each have their own distinct sound, and 'Momofuku' continues that line, but the truth is, each one has showcased Costello the rock star. (Albeit, a rock star who can write more literate rock songs than your average seething curmudgeon-y social critic.) ...[T]here isn't a weak track on 'Momofuku.' It's Elvis Costello completely in his element. It's a clear five star example of a legend adding to his stack of classics. Here's someone who has worked for the past 31 years with no large, significant breaks, honing his craft, creating a diverse catalogue for the ages. 'Momofuku' is a worthy addition to any Elvis Costello fan's collection. -- Allan Raible, abcnews.com

Read the story behind the strange album name.

And more about the album. Don't miss the user comments at the end of the piece.

Elvis Costello primer from the avclub.com
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IT'S A CRACKER!
ADAM PUDDINGTON
For The Meantime
Reminiscent of fellow contemporary collector of songs Jim Bryson and folkies of the past such as Gordon Lightfoot, Puddington is a former member of East coast alt-country group the Guthries ... [T]he poetic Puddington continues to lean towards folk and Canadiana on his latest disc, offering a refreshing roots record. Filled with succinct and pleasing songwriting, For the Meantime is a captivating collection of 11 songs that grow on you with each subsequent listening session. Raised in rural Ontario, the songwriter now finds inspiration in the East coast; yet, both these locales play prominently as inspiration for his songs, which tell stories of Puddington’s restless journey. The most telling tale is “Deer in the Headlights” where he humbly states: “I have no notions of grandeur/ I’m provincial at best.” While Puddington doesn’t look for grandeur, the songs that make up this finely crafted collection are sure to give the folk singer wider acclaim. -- David McPherson, exclaim.ca

Official Adam Puddington Site

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NEIL DIAMOND
Home Before Dark (Deluxe)
Deluxe CD/DVD edition of Diamond's 2008 album features two bonus audio tracks plus a DVD containing four videos.

2008 album from the iconic singer/songwriter, his second collaboration with producer Rick Rubin. Once again, Rubin strips away the gloss and makes this Diamond shine brighter than he has since his '70s heyday. Perhaps even more successful than the 12 Songs album, Home Before Dark spotlights Neil's skill as a songwriter and singer and not just a showman and performer.

Diamond said: "This record represents a giant step in my evolution as a writer and a recording artist. . . . You will see I've gone deeper. It was more painful to write this -- maybe the most difficult album I've ever written, and maybe my best." (more info...)

Neil Diamond Tribute Bands

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FIREWATER
The Golden Hour
In 2005, Firewater's Tod A embarked on what would become a 3-year sabbatical through the Middle East, the Indian Subcontinent and South East Asia. Recording with a single microphone and a laptop in his pack, he captured performances with a vast array of musicians across India and Pakistan - and eventually Turkey and Israel. Writing songs about the world he left behind in the US ("This Is My Life") and politics ("Borneo", "Hey Clown"), his acerbic wit Shines on The Golden Hour, elucidating both the beauty and the absurdity of his world. (Bloodshot)


The story (video) behind The Golden Hour

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ELEVEN HUNDRED SPRINGS
Country Jam
Tracks: Texas Afternoon / Every Time I Get Close To You / Nobody Told You About the Love / Whose Heart Are You Breaking Tonight / I Never Crossed Your Mind / Don’t Stop The Music / V-8 Ford Boogie / I’ll Be Here For You / Fallin’ Off The Wagon / Ten To Life / You Can’t Hide From Your Heart / Rocket 88 (Palo Duro)
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IT'S A CRACKER!
THE DIVORCEES
You Ain't Getting My Country
New Brunswick’s The Divorcees claim their 'life is a country song.' The Divorcees’ You Ain’t Gettin’ My Country isn’t like the mainstream country music. It’s real, old-school country by real, old-school cowboys. The songs are about working-class life in a small town and all that accompanies it: partying, gambling, booze, fighting, women and wishing you were anywhere but there. . . [T]his album may seem like something you’d find in your dad’s old record collection, there’s no denying The Divorcees deliver great old-fashioned country. -- Sara Audrain, The Gazette


American-UK Review
Divorcees Myspace Page
Profile

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IT'S A CRACKER!
DALE MURRAY
Brighter Lives Darker Side
With the Guthries spread far and wide across the country’s music scene, songwriter/pedal steel player Dale Murray continues the band’s roots rock approach on his debut solo album. Brighter Lives, Darker Side happily cribs from some of the best and Murray’s influences arrive from far and wide. His love for country is still apparent on songs like 'Don’t Wanna See' and Liverpudlian harmonies abound on intro pop-rocker 'Driving Song,' 'On His Line' and 'When It’s Gone.' In fact, Murray is at his most comfortable channeling the quiet Beatle with Harrison slide licks adorning a couple of the album’s stronger tunes such as 'The Way Back.' ... The lyrics never quite reach the class of his melodies, instrumentation and production, but on those last three points, Brighter Lives scores all tens. -- Brent Hagerman, exlaim.ca

Dale Murray Myspace Page

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ROGER CLYNE & THE PEACEMAKERS
Turbo Ocho CD/DVD
This is an audio/video chronicle of the first ever RCPM VivaCast; a revolutionary reality-recording experiment where the band and crew set up a studio in a seaside home in Rocky Point, Mexico and broadcasting daily audio and video episodes to thousands of homes. The goal was to create and share, from inspiration to the final mix, 8 songs in 8 days. Also on this album is Maana, a fun little ditty that the fans asked the band to include as well as Mxicosis and Captain Suburbia which are available for the first time on a cd.
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BILLY BRAGG
Mr. Love & Justice (Deluxe)
This deluxe version features an extra CD with Billy performing the entirety of "Mr. Love & Justice" live in the studio - one man with a guitar, just like it was in the beginning.

In his two and a half decades carrying the torch of social justice, Billy Bragg has melded the folksy populism of Woody Guthrie with the anger and indignation of The Clash. Both are perfectly encapsulated on his Anti debut. Despite the intense politics behind his songs, Billy has never lost sight of the power of personal relationships to hold us together and bring about the kind of redemption that outstrips even the greatest political movements. Musically, this record combines the loose, Stonesy groove Bragg found working with Wilco on the "Mermaid Ave." sessions, with the best parts of his punk and music hall roots. On his most mature record to date, the title says it all. (Anti-)


FREE MP3: BILLY BRAGG - I Keep Faith Download

BILLY BRAGG "O FREEDOM" Video

INTERVIEW PART 1 Video
INTERVIEW PART 2 Video


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BILLY BRAGG
Mr. Love & Justice
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STEELIN IT: THE STEEL GUITAR STORY
Various
An authoritative & entertaining 100-track history of the steel guitar in its various guises, from its Hawaiian origins to its prominent role in American Western Swing. (Full Track Listing)
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JORDAN ZEVON
Insides Out
The powerpop-tilting album suggest(s) both Elvis Costello and the Attractions and XTC as well as Harry Nilsson and Steely Dan. 'Insides Out starts things off with a bang with the immediate track ‘The Joke’s On Me.’ Jordan says of the influence for the song, ‘If you’ve never had a job from hell, it’s probably because we both interviewed and they gave it to me instead.’ And that’s just the beginning of an immensely catchy and superb collection of songs displayed on this debut. The album is an intriguing record that has many layers to be discovered on repeated listens [and] effortlessly showcases some of the smartest pop you’ll hear all year.' (New West)
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