MOTHER TRUCKERS
Let's All Go To Bed
On their latest release, "Let's All Go To Bed," the Mother Truckers bring their brand of outlaw country fused together with a rockin', Rolling Stones tinged Blues style (see "Streets of Atlanta), and have put together one hell of an album. Right from the opening notes of "Dynamite" this album explodes with a rockin' brand of country, complete with walking bass lines, and sing-a-long choruses, that will no doubt have you bopping right along. The vocals provided by both Josh Zee and Teal Collins are excellent. Teals' gritty, raw delivery masked by a sweet exterior is enough to draw comparisons to the likes of Gretchen Wilson, while Zee's outstanding backing vocals help to fill in their overall sound. Call the Mother Truckers what you want to. Roots Rock, Alt. Country, etc… I believe that this is what country music today oughta sound like and if you like your country rocking as much as I do then this is a must have album for you. -- guestlistmagazine.com
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JAKOB DYLAN
Seeing Things
Between the cataclysmic foreboding of the opening track, 'Evil is Alive and Well,' and the rebounding hope of the single, 'Something Good This Way Comes,' Dylan jounces moodily with denuded vocals and guitar, reflecting the bipolar social swings of the world at large today. Under the spell of Rubin’s trademark stripped-down production, and wearing his new hat as troubadour, the result is nothing short of powerful. -- Ben Corbett, Boulder Weekly
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SAM PHILLIPS
Don't Do Anything
In a career of more than two decades, Sam Phillips has built an intensely loyal fan base that has tracked the evolution of her music from Beatles-esque alternative pop to seductively stripped-down torch songs - with an intriguing side trip into the world of The Gilmore Girls, where she served as composer. And she continue to enthrall music critics and her fellow musicians. In fact, one of the most highly praised tracks on the new Robert Plant / Allison Krauss collaboration, Raising Sand, Sister Rosetta Goes Before Us, was written by Phillips and appears on Don't Do Anything in its original form. That song illustrates the power of Phillips spare yet haunting approach.

This is the first album that Phillips, who plays both electric and acoustic guitars as well as piano, has produced on her own. Don't Do Anything has a more pronounced rock feel than her recent releases.

As a vocalist, Phillips remains coolly matter-of-fact even with the most confessional of lyrics. This time she delves into the story of Depression-era preacher Aimee Semple McPherson, whose evangelist empire was brought down by a mysterious disappearance and romantic scandal.

She treats her audience like the grownups they are, making adult contemporary music - both uncompromising and alluring - for contemporary adults. (Nonesuch)

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DR. JOHN
City That Care Forgot
Eric Clapton, Willie Nelson, Ani Difranco and Terence Blanchard join Dr. John and the Lower 911 in this musical paean to Dr. John's beloved New Orleans. This powerful new recording features stirring and thought-provoking songs about the post-Katrina crises in the ravaged jewel of the American South, including "City That Care Forgot," "Time for a Change," "Promises, Promises," "We Gettin' There" and many more. (429 Records)
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LANGHORNE SLIM
Langhorne Slim
Langhorne Slim mixes folk, blues, and rock in a way that only lunatic rocker Hasil Adkins could understand. The Brooklyn-via-Pennsylvania songwriter conjures images of many other neo-folk singers, but there's soul, fire, and warmth in his recordings.

His self-titled sophomore disc isn't as raw as When the Sun's Gone Down, but the disc -- Langhorne Slim's first for a big label -- still brings out the power and charisma of his live performance. - World Cafe
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JOHN HIATT
Same Old Man (Deluxe CD/DVD)
The deluxe CD/DVD combo version of the new album Same Old Man contains a bonus DVD with six classic live performances filmed in different eras of Hiatt's career.

New West Records will release John Hiatt s new full length album Same Old Man, his first album since 2005 s critically acclaimed Master of Disaster. Same Old Man was recorded at Highway 61 Recordings and produced by John Hiatt. Appearing on the album are Kenneth Blevins on drums, Patrick O Hearn on bass and Luther Dickinson on guitar, mandolin and national resonator. John's daughter, Lilly Hiatt, sings harmony on the songs Love You Again and What Love Can Do. John Hiatt's career has spanned more than 30 years and his songs have been covered by everyone from Bonnie Raitt, Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton and BB King to Iggy Pop, Three Dog Night and The Neville Brothers. Tracks: Old Days / Love You Again / On With You / Hurt My Baby / What Love Can Do / Ride My Pony / Cherry Red / Our Time / Two Hearts / Same Old Man / Let s Give This Love A Try

Bonus Disc: Memphis In The Mean Time / Have A Little Faith In Me / Tennessee Plates / Perfectly Good Guitar / Crossing Muddy Waters / Cry Love (New West)
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JOHN HIATT
Same Old Man (Regular Version)
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LAURIE LEWIS & THE RIGHT HANDS
Live
This 2008 record captures Laurie Lewis and The Right Hands (Tom Rozum, Scott Huffman, Craig Smith, Todd Phillips) magically weaving bluegrass, country and folk into a highly entertaining live performance. Recorded in the Pacific Northwest over three days in 2007, Lewis and her accomplished bandmates mix originals in with songs written by Kate MacLeod, Jimmy Martin, Billy Joe Shaver, and Irving Berlin amongst others. The format of a live album, that is, in front of an audience, benefits Lewis because of the way she shares the music with the listener. Her themes are universal giving those participating a chance to hear a little of themselves in every song. Lewis and The Right Hands are extremely accomplished players and entertainers. This album is good for the soul. -- Jeff Weiss, Miles of Music (Spruce and Maple Music)
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DICK PRALL
Weightless
Coming from a method of songwriting that brings to mind early Tom Petty (or, to a lesser extent, Spoon) Dick Prall crafts fault free melodies that make the listener very eager to find out what’s around the corner. . . Prall has an ear for hooks and a voice more than apt to accompany them.' -- Jason McNeil, popmatters.com (Authentic)
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SONNY LANDRETH
** AUTOGRAPHED!!! (while supplies last)
From The Reach
Singer, songwriter and Louisiana slide guitar phenom Sonny Landreth's first studio album in five years unites his band with a who's who of musical guests for a set of all-original roots rock tinged with the blues and New Orleans soul. Featured guitarists and vocalists include Eric Clapton, Mark Knopfler, Vince Gill, Eric Johnson, Robben Ford, Dr. John and Jimmy Buffett. (Landfall)
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JUSTIN RUTLEDGE
Man Descending
For anyone following the folk/roots scene in Toronto, the serene work of Justin Rutledge is no secret, but it's easy to forget just how engaging and talented this gentle singer/songwriter is, especially when he only releases a new album every two years. His latest, Man Descending, is similar to his prior release, The Devil On A Bench In Stanley Park -- there are no over-the-top moments or out-of-control twang. It's just soft, subtle acoustics, subdued drums and mellifluous slide guitar.

Opener St. Peter, with its infectious country folk hooks and lush harmonies, sets the tone for the entire record, but the hushed vocals in This Too Shall Pass make this track a standout. Let's hope this album's playability lasts, because it'll be a while until Rutledge puts out another record. -- Bryan Borzykowski, Nowtoronto.com

Listen to tracks at Justin Rutledge's Myspace page

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DAN ZANES AND FRIENDS
Nueva York!
Children's favorite Dan Zanes follows his 2007 Grammy Award winning CD Catch That Train with a collaboration with Latino musician friends from New York. These family songs, all sung in Spanish, represent various styles including son jarocho, cumbia, aguinaldo, bailecito, nueva canción and merengue. Featured guests include: Lila Downs, Daphne Rubin-Vega, The Villa-Lobos brothers, Marc Ribot and Afro-Colombian roots ensemble La Cumbiamba Eneye. (Festival Five)

Listen to tracks at Dan Zane's Myspace page

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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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T-BONE BURNETT
Tooth Of Crime
The album, completed fresh off Burnett's stunning work as producer and arranger of the Robert Plant/Allison Krauss collaboration Raising Sand featuring some of the same musicians, is a vibrant outgrowth of a long-running collaboration with playwright Sam Shepard that began with the 1996 musical staging in New York of his noted play of the same name. The songs are arresting distillations of modern conflicts and personal drama in a modern hyper-reality. The arrangements are imaginative and inventive. The performances are stunning, masterful, and unpredictable. Tooth of Crime is a prophetic play that Sam first wrote in 1972, and it takes place in a time very much like now, Burnett explains. It's a time when there are zones of fame that flare up and people can become incredibly famous in their own zone and nobody else can know it. And then the zone completely disappears, but the famous person doesn't realize it because you can t even find the zone anymore. You have to hook up a toaster to a television to a microwave to a piano very post-apocalyptic. That was the initial inspiration for the album. These songs came together like a broken mirror, and you get a bunch of shards and start putting them together and create a lot of different angles, he says. That's this group of songs, this process. Working with Marc Ribot and drummer Jim Keltner, Burnett crafted the sound of Tooth of Crime into a unique aesthetic. (Nonesuch)

Rolling Stone review

Uncut Magazine review

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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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IT'S A CRACKER!
THE BELLEVILE OUTFIT
Wanderin
The skill, confidence and talent displayed in Wanderin' by the Austin-based The Belleville Outfit belies their youth. This mix of country. bluegrass, and gypsy swing, and jazz -- the band took their name from a Django Reinhardt song -- all seamlessly flow together. New Orleans, the band's previous base of operations, provides a strong source of musical inspiration as the city's musical legacy is apparent. Rob Teter's warm vocals are complimented by the slight sass of violinist Phoebe Hunt. It is hard to imagine how this band makes a better record than Wanderin'. In the meantime, pick this one up and marvel at its beauty. -- Jeff Weiss, Miles of Music (self)
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IT'S A CRACKER!
MATT KOGER
The Coyote's Call
Texan Matt Koger writes stories of interesting, funny, and strange life encounters. Koger's lyrics flow with a warm bouncy cadence. He draws from the falling-off-the-bone Texas bbq of Townes, Earle, and Clark with a mix of Robert Earl Keen's humor. His band and production provides unadorned country that skillfully pushes his vocals out in front. Koger's day job will keep him from ever pursuing music as a full time career. His talent as a songwriter points to an artist, not someone merely dallying with music as a sideline. -- Jeff Weiss, Miles of Music (self)
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SHEARWATER
Rook
We all love to feel the songwriter has made the right choice in notation, lyric, and sound -- for a song to go exactly where our minds, racing ahead, wish for it to end up. There is comfort in that, and simple joy. Rook perseveres, boasting a gorgeous score, thunderous and steady percussion, and an impressive -- to say the least -- vocal range; [Jonathan] Meiburg sounding at once like David Bowie, Jello Biafra, Television’s Tom Verlaine, and Tiny Tim without a falter, flat or flaunt. Each lyrical line has a genuineness and an unabashed sincerity that is surprising with how forceful and emotive they can be -- almost theatrical but halting before the Elton John comes out... Shearwater have created something lovely within Rook. A stunning complexity of adorned beauty and grace, it is able to slide through the speakers like so many notes tumbled from a page, like their namesake floating above the oceans whole. This album is sure to top many a best of list when the year wraps up. Rating: 5 out of 5 stars -- Lynne Angel, sfgay.org (Matador)
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STEVE REYNOLDS
Carnival Papers
In his follow up release to "Exile", "The Carnival Papers" continues this troubadour's stories of life unfolding. Produced by David Odlum of "Frames" fame, "The Carnival Papers" includes an amazing and eclectic mix of guest artists, such as Tom McRae, Joel Shearer, Gemma Hayes, and the Cary Brothers all contributing to this lush-sounding journey.
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IT'S A CRACKER!
HEATHER WATERS
Propeller
Heather Waters possesses an extraordinarily expressive voice and the ability to wrap it around phrases. In the last decade of alt.country/roots music Neko Case has been, arguably, the reigning vocal champ. Waters, if not Case's superior is absolutely her equal. Without hesitation, this record is gorgeous. Waters wrote or co-wrote the majority of the tracks on Propeller, sliding in a Tom Waits cover alongside her thought-provoking originals. The liner notes thank her family for steering her towards a career in music instead of law. If Waters could have sang her briefs that would have been a heckuva court room. Thankfully she chose the more traditional route as this release is a termendous accomplishment. -- Jeff Weiss, Miles of Music (Mighty Like A Rosebud)
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ELIZA GILKYSON
Beautiful World
The stunning new album by one of the reigning queens of modern roots music. . . and her first studio recording since 2005's acclaimed 'Paradise Hotel'. Beautiful World is an evocative blend of the upbeat, sensual, dark and deep. To add to the excitement, Eliza’s regular band is augmented here by some of Americana’s best players: Cindy Cashdollar (Asleep At The Wheel, Bob Dylan), John Inman (Jimmy LaFave, Jerry Jeff Walker), David Grissom (Dixie Chicks), Alana Jones (Hot Club of Cowtown), Julie Wolfe (Ani di Franco, Indigo Girls, Bruce Cockburn) and her brother Tony Gilkyson (X). (Red House)
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BYRDS
Live At Royal Albert Hall, 1971
From their earliest days as 12-string-wielding folk-rockers, to the thrilling psychedelic excursions of their raga-rock period to their 1968 birthing of country-rock, the Byrds were always accorded a hero's welcome in England. What better place to record founding Byrds member/guitarist/singer Roger McGuinn's new version of the band--featuring fretboard ace Clarence White, bassist Skip Battin and drummer Gene Parsons--than London's Royal Albert Hall!

Rescued from a tape that had sat forgotten in McGuinn's climatized garage for decades, this stellar 1971 set, featuring live versions of the current band's studio faves ("Lover of the Bayou," "Chestnut Mare") as well as adventurous reworkings of Byrds classics ("Mr. Tambourine Man," "My Back Pages," "Eight Miles High," "So You Want to Be a Rock `n' Roll Star") might be the most accurate and stirring live performance yet of the legendary Los Angeles combo. By 1971, the guitar interplay of McGuinn and White had become a jaw-dropping highlight of their live performances, as had their stripped-down, acoustic mini-set and peerless four-part vocal harmonies. As McGuinn, in typically understated fashion, says of this new Sundazed release, available now on both compact disc and as a high-definition vinyl, double-gatefold LP: "It was a great night, so I'm happy there's a record of it!" (Sundazed)
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BAND OF HEATHENS
Band Of Heathens
Known for their live albums, the best Austin band of 2007 (Austin Chronicle) shows that Austin's indie spirit is alive and well with this set that feels like the young Eagles come to Texas, mix it up with the locals and play to the fans rather than the industry hipsters. Smart southern/country rock that has some heartland heart running through it as well. A sure bet for anyone that's ever grooved to that vibe and wants more without it being more of the same. Often described as this millennium's bastard stepchild of the mating of Little Feat and The Band. Produced by Ray Wylie Hubbard if that's keeping it real enough for you. (self released)
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I SEE HAWKS IN LA
Hallowed Ground
'. . .Coming from a country rock base (for Hawks think Eagles with a harder edge) they’ve broadened their outlook considerably. The pedal steel of auxiliary Hawk Dave Zirbel is frequently a distictive feature of their music but on Hallowed Ground they stretch themselves in to an Irish Sea folk sound.. and yet still rock out with some loud, head-in-the-speaker, ****-shaking numbers... All in all, it’s a beautifully balanced album.' -- John Davy crookedrain.org.uk (Big Book Records)

J. Poet reviews the album here.

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IT'S A CRACKER!
MICHAEL UBALDINI
Street Singin' Troubadour
MIchael Ubladini's has taken an 'everyman' approach to the songs on 2008 release Street Singin' Troubadour. 'I wanted to have lyrics that were not about finger pointing. I don't care about blue/red divisions," Ubaldini said. The songs are simple in construct, merely an acoustic guitar and Ubaldini's warm voice. Song after song he captures the "inner thought process" of the narrative. The tales are simple, the narrative linear and the emotions are not overly complicated. These are tales as Ubaldini sees the average person. Some of the tracks feel overly simplistic without context. Taken as a whole with an understanding of Ubaldini's goal, Street Singin' Troubadour is highly successful. -- Jeff Weiss, Miles of Music (self)

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MARY CUTRUFELLO
35
'The growling Miss Mary rocked the 2007 Houston Women's Festival with selections from this indie production, and rightly so, with winners like the driving 'Bring on the Night.' Cutrufello penned all the tunes on this sold collection, except for her strong rendition of Springsteen's 'Take 'em as They Come.' If 'I'll Still Love You Forever' doesn't break your heart, maybe you don't have one.' -- Nancy Ford, outsmartmagazine.com

Mary Cutrufello’s first full-band recording since 1998’s When the Night is Through (Mercury) finds the singer/songwriter/guitar-slinger at turns proud and pleading, once again telling her stories of desperation and redemption, wonder and resolve. The joyous, faith-affirming performances by Cutrufello and her band give shape, meaning, and ultimately hope to the characters in her songs. 35 is 'an explosive mix of all that is good in American music' (High Plains Reader, Fargo, ND), and brings heartland rock resoundingly into
the 21st century. (self-released)
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ABIGAIL WASHBURN & THE SPARROW QUARTET
Abigail Washburn & The Sparrow Quartet
Abigail Washburn has created a new sound that crosses global and cultural lines, personified in the raw, transcendental music of the Sparrow Quartet. The all star collaboration features banjo virtuoso Bela Fleck, acclaimed cellist Ben Sollee and Grammy nominated fiddler Casey Driessen. The artistry of Abigail is her love of both American roots musics and the Chinese culture she has been exploring for over a decade. Produced by Bela Fleck, the music was composed and arranged by the foursome. The unprecedented mixture of two banjos (clawhammer and three finger style), cello and fiddle unfolds like an otherworldly chamber suite. (Nettwerk)
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BOBBY BARE
Singin' In The Kitchen
The teaming of Bobby Bare and Shel Silverstein was one of the most interesting partnerships in Nashville music history. Together they were responsible for the sublime yet almost forgotten 1974 children's album Singin' In The Kitchen. From the clamorous joy of the title track to Bare's beautiful and poignant rendition of The Giving Tree, Singin' In The Kitchen is a unique, disarmingly well crafted LP. Also included are ten cuts from Bare's superb 1967 gospel LP, This I Believe and a number of other rare 45 and album tracks. Remastered with love and care and featuring exclusive detailed liner notes all cuts make their first appearance on CD here. 1. Singin' In The Kitchen 2. The Monkey And The Elephant 3. Lovin' You Anyway 4. Where'd I Come From 5. The Ricky Ticky Song 6. The Giving Tree 7. You Are 8. The Unicorn 9. A Cloudy Sky 10. She Thinks I Can 11. Scarlet Ribbons 12. See That Bluebird 13. Singin' In The Kitchen (Reprise) 14. Less Of Me 15. Tall Oak Tree 16. When I've Learned 17. Family Bible 18. Lonesome Valley 19. When God Dips His Love In My Heart 20. Saw The Light 21. He's Got The Whole World In His Hands 22. Just A Closer Walk With Thee 23. I'll Fly Away 24. Chicago Story 25. Barbara Joy 26. Maggie (I Wish We'd Never Met) 27. Poison Red Berries 28. Which One Will It Be. (Omni)
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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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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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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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