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Listening
to a Rich McCulley record is a lot like having a long-term relationship. You take
both for granted. Everytime Rich releases an album he nails one roots-rock gem
after another. The Pasadena Weekly's Bliss wrote, "There's a bittersweet,
Beatles-esque buoyancy to many of McCulley's pop tunes, whether he's celebrating
the simple joys of riding with his lover down Ventura Highway on "Forever
California" or ruing the pitfalls of relationships on "Forget It All
Again" ("Here comes another curveball, aren't you glad you brought your
glove / Here comes another push, can you take another shove"). Smart musicianship
and well-placed lyrical barbs a la "Once I got to know you, I couldn't drink
enough" (from "I Never Really Loved You") elevate this above typical
romantic pop." McCulley makes it all sound effortless, the sign of an artist
that reaches the average everyman, but in fact this is finely crafted roots-pop.
-- Jeff Weiss, Miles of Music (self-released) 
Big
Red Sun was recorded while David Newbould was a itinerant resident of Austin.
Newbould sings with an exhilaration, avoiding the overwrought, instead falling
squarely into warmth and passionate. Combined with a strong ear for melody and
a directness in his storytelling Newbould nails this collection of introspective
folk and traditional country. Newbould recruited Cindy Cashdollar, Redd Volkaert,
Jon Dee Graham and others to help him on his first full length after releasing
a series of EPs. Big Red Sun has a glowing emotional center that makes it a perfect
way to brighten a gloomy day. -- Jeff Weiss, Miles of Music (North Star Media)
Is Steve Robinson an Englishman overtly influenced by '60s folk-pop or is he,
at his heart a disciple of The Byrds, The Everly Brothers and other harmony-drenched
luminaries who happens to be from the UK? Robinson, working out of St. Petersburg,
Florida -- a decidedly un-English city -- creates pop gems teeming with mandolin,
harmony. touches of English folk, Irish lilt and baroque pop. Robinson straddles
his English background and his American musical seasoning creating a collection
of gorgeous roots-pop that is apologetically Beatle-esque. -- Jeff Weiss. Miles
of Music (Sunshine Drenchy Music)
As
songwriters, performers, innovators and founders of the influential Dead Reckoning
record label, Kieran Kane and Kevin Welch have made a career of letting the song
lead the way. In the process, they midwifed a new genre of American roots music,
blazing a trail for other artists to explore and develop. Yet their modus operandi
remains the same - to craft and compose with no goal other than to let the song
realize itself. In 2003 they joined forces with Fats Kaplin, the renowned multi-instrumentalist
and "this generation's Ry Cooder", to create an Americana super group
that makes music with roots parameters but in the spontaneity and vibe of a jazz
recording. Joined this time around by Kieran's son Lucas, "Kane Welch Kaplin"
picks up where "Lost John Dean" left off - featuring an entire album
of roots music gems from the pens of the original Godfathers of Americana. The
groove is tighter, the tunes sparser - they've gone from being a group of accomplished
individuals to a solid soulful unit. Album cover art painted by Kieran Kane. (Compass)
This
live recording from Nashville's hallowed Bluebird Café features some of
Shaver's most well-loved tunes. Shaver is joined by his son, Eddy, on tunes like
"Georgia on a Freight Train" "Honky Tonk Heroes" and "Chunk
of Coal." The performance is a rare acoustic take on material that the pair
would go on to perform and record in the more rock-oriented group Shaver. With
liner notes by Todd Snider and endearing and humorous commentary between songs,
the album is a must-have for fans of one of America's most storied and recorded
songwriters. Tracks Listing: Georgia On A Fast Train/Willy The Wandering Gypsy
And Me/Honky Tonk Heroes/Black Rose/Talk: My Ex-Wife Brenda/Amtrak (Ain't Comin'
Back)/Talk: Surgery/NYC/The Cowboy Who Started The Fight/Talk: I Forget/Old Chunk
Of Coal/Moonshine And Indian Blood/Highway Of Life/Live Forever/You Asked Me To.
(Sugar Hill) 
The
songs on North Star Deserter are some of the most bracing and intense heard from
Chesnutt: macabre and fearless, playful and funny, at times deeply personal and
at others, incongruously hopeful. Stripped-down songs like "Warm", "Rustic
City Fathers", "Over" and "Marathon" are juxtaposed with
explosive rockers like "Everything I Say" and "Debriefing",
while "Glossolalia" and "You Are Never Alone" feature wonderful
arrangements and group singing. (Constellation)
Dark
Days was produced and engineered in the mountains of Washington State at Cascade
Studios. The CD (produced by Jackson Taylor and Ronnie Belaire, and engineered
by Allen Larsen) contains 12 tracks and features the debut single "Lonely,"
a tale of emotion that Jackson knows all too well. Other tracks include "Outlaws
Ain't Wanted Here No More," which is a true account of Jackson's experiences
in the country music industry that eventually pushed him to take his own musical
path. Also featured on the new album is a cover of the tune "Honky Tonk Heroes,"
written by Billy Joe Shaver, one of Jackson's favorite music outlaws. Billy Joe
Shaver summed up it up best when he said, "Jackson's songs are so real and
honest, you know straight off he's been there and done that. He writes and sings
like he lives, great songs that I believe will live forever." (Smith Entertainment)
Their
fourth full-length and first for Merge Records is a crowning moment. The band
has toured with M. Ward, The Constantines, Calexico, Bright Eyes, and Gillian
Welch. "I'll Follow You" fully captures the indelible sound that has
inspired many to call Oakley Hall one of NY's best live bands. "Americana
they are not. The Hall is onto a whole new thing, and that thing is pure American
rock music" - Seattle Weekly. (Merge Records)
Already
Moved On shows a clear progression from Moot Davis debut self-titled effort -
and demonstrates that even music that speaks the voice of the common man can evolve
to a higher plane. With his first record, Moot gained tremendous critical acclaim
for his talent for writing and performing passionate, soulful honky-tonk music
that drew from legends of the genre like Hank Williams and Webb Pierce while bringing
the art form into the new Millennium. Already Moved On picks up where "Moot
Davis" left off, embodying timeless songwriting, a definite "attitude,"
and a certain edge that lets the listener know this is no throwback to an earlier
time. It's music that reflects the past while setting the bar for the future.
Already Moved On runs the gamut of American roots music from barroom anthems to
highway songs to country ballads - all colored by Moot's insight on the tenuous
relationship between men and women and the corresponding love and heartache (Little
Dog) 
Charlemagne,
the songs of Carl Johns brought to life with help from many friends, was born
in a basement in Wisconsin in the middle of winter in 2003 as a side-project to
the band Noahjohn. Since then Charlemagne has released two albums and a trio of
singles, as well as a number of compilation appearances. Detour Allure finds Johns
creating less of a singular, songwriter-esque release, instead opting to incorporate
more of a full band aesthetic, even utilizing other musicians to assist in the
album's creative process. Crammed with plenty of melodies, hooks, reverb, keys,
beats and handclaps, Detour Allure shows Charlemagne drafting a modern, psychedelic
pop album, with plenty of conviction to boot. (Sidecho Records)
Appleseed
Recordings celebrates its first decade with a 2-CD, 37-track sampler including
exclusive new recordings by Bruce Springsteen & Pete Seeger (their first-ever
collaboration), Ani DiFranco, Donovan and more. Established in 1997 to "explore
the roots and branches of folk and world music and sow the seeds of social justice
through music. "Sowing the Seeds - The 10th Anniversary" is Appleseed's
first sampler and captures many of the label's highlights, as well as nine new
tracks recorded specifically for this birthday celebration. The 2-CD set is split
into two "themed" discs of new and old songs by a veritable Who's Who
of socially aware musicians. Disc 1 Track Listing: Oh Sacred World - Pete Seeger/Ghost
Of Tom Joad - Bruce Springsteen,Pete Seeger (Exclusive New Track)/Waist Deep In
the Big Muddy - Ani DiFranco (Exclusive New Track)/Universal Soldier - Donovan
(Exclusive New Track)/White Boots Marching In a Yellow Land - Wyclef Jean/Eric
Andersen/All My Children Of the Sun - Tim Robbins/Bravest, The - Tom Paxton/19
Miles To Baghdad - Lizzie West & The White Buffalo/Bring Them Home (If You
Love Your Uncle Sam) - Pete Seeger,Billy Bragg,Steve Earle & Ani DiFranco/Walking
Down Death Row - Pete Seeger (Exclusive New Track)/Guantanamera - Joan Baez &
Jackson Browne/Heartland Express - Sharon Katz & The Peace Train/Indian Prayer
(The Land I Love) - Pete Seeger & Tom Pacheco/There Goes the Mountain - Tom
Paxton & Anne Hills/If You Miss Me At the Back Of the Bus - Peter Yarrow,Kim
& Reggie Harris,Rufus Cappadocia & More/Sing About These Hard Times -
Peggy Seeger (Exclusive New Track)/Ross Perot, The (George Bush) Guide To Answering
Embarrassing Questions - Pete Seeger & Tao Rodriguz/Emperor Is Naked Today-o,
The - Pete Seeger (Exclusive New Track)/Where Have All the Flowers Gone - Dolores
Keane,Tommy Sands & Vedran Smailovic. Disc 2 Track Listing: Quite Early Morning
- Pete Seeger (Exclusive New Track)/Music Of Healing - Pete Seeger, Tommy Sands,
& Vedran Smailovic/There Is Hope - Aoife Clancy/Swimming To the Other Side
- Pat Humphries/Turn! Turn! Turn! - Bruce Cockburn/Namaste - The Kennedys/Gina
In the Kings Road - Al Stewart/Yin My Yang - Donovan/Baby, It's You - John Stewart/Leave
Your Light On - Tim Eriksen/Try Me One More Time - David Bromberg/Don't Think
Twice, It's All Right - Ramblin' Jack Elliott/Dink's Song - Pete Seeger,Roger
McGuinn & Josh White Jr./You Can't Relive the Past - Lou Reed & Eric Andersen/Oh
Had I a Golden Thread - Judy Collins/Sail On - Dick Gaughan/We Are the Boat -
Pete Seeger, Holly Near, Arlo Guthrie & Ronnie Gilbert/Pete Gets the Last
Word - Pete Seeger (Exclusive New Track).
Johnathan
entered Sound City Studios in Van Nuys, CA (Tom Petty, Nirvana) in the eerily
warm winter of 2006. Jason Lader (Vietnam, Rilo Kiley) and Farmer Dave Scher (Beachwood
Sparks, All Night Radio) completed the three man production team. It's quite obvious
even from a cursory first listen that the album was recorded live and not much
else was added in post. Whereas the first record tried to take on the world and
a whole host of musical genres, this new album stays relentlessly focused on the
song, the band, and that voice. The sound is warm and the words are at once hot
and cold. It's an optimistic apocalypse with something for you and your weird
uncle. The lyrics cut as deep as you let them, and even if you don't pay attention
to that sort of thing there are enough deep pockets and American guitars to keep
you nodding your head in the drive through line. (Reprise WEA) 
Few songwriters have experienced and expressed the sinking depths and uplifting
optimism of humanity like Dondero, and his ability to shine a light on the human
condition is inspiring. "Simple Love" is a poignant collection of songs
woven with sentimentality, contempt, humor, and lust. Veering away from the acoustic
folk arrangements of previous albums this record broadens its instrumental library
and tackles much darker subjects of loss, lost love, and death. A collection of
literate, impressionistic, folk-blues mini-epics. (Team Love) 
"Because
Rilo Kiley's More Adventurous was a triumph of the well-made narrative song, its
markedly terser and beatier follow-up, which is also the band's true major-label
debut, will be accused of sellout. Instead, it's yet more adventurous, a prosperous
band's challenge to its comfortable cult. Always too cute for serious indie cred,
Jenny Lewis slips four songs about dangerous sex in which she herself might be
indulging -- right now, in her pretty prosperity -- into music that's defined
rather than just decorated by its stylistic flirtations. Repetitive if not wordless
refrains pop up everywhere, one in Spanish with a Latin beat; here a soul horn
section, there a Fleetwood Mac homage, there a synth outro and almost nowhere
much guitar-band alt-rock. The emotions aren't as detailed as in the past, but
they're no less intense...4 STARS" -- Robert Christgau, rollingstone.com
(Wea)
Since
1982, a few years before they released their 1987 debut, John Flansburgh and John
Linnell have been They Might Be Giants, an independent band named after a 1971
George C. Scott movie who are, to echo their own description of their current
collaborators The Dust Brothers, pop musicians unto themselves. Their work provides,
in the prescient judgment of The SPIN Alternative Record Guide (1995) "a
fabulous example of just how far the concept of punk can stretch." In subsequent
years, They Might Be Giants have elongated things further, although never to the
breaking point. They have released twelve albums, of which The Else, a wildly
rocking and sturdy collection of thirteen unfailingly acute songs co-produced
by The Dust Brothers (Beck, Beastie Boys), is the latest. It includes a 23 song
bonus disc with the album's first edition and features Linnell (who sings and
plays keyboards, primarily) and Flansburgh (who sings and plays guitar, primarily)
working in tightest accord with their current band of guitarist Dan Solder Miller,
bassist Danny Weinkauf, and drummer Marty Beller. (Zoe)
Vanderslice
recorded this album in the midst of anguishing legal limbo after a visa application
for his French girlfriend was rejected by US immigration. The album takes its
title from a reference to the "Green Zone" in Iraq, but its themes are
broad. "John Vanderslice is starting to look like the most consistently engaging
singer and songwriter - and maybe even live performer - on indie rockdom's current
landscape" - Washington Post. (Barsuk)
Syd Barrett was one of the most enigmatic men in music. Through the formation
of Pink Floyd, to creative genius, to his shocking slide into increasing psychiatric
illness, we chart the rise and fall of the original Floyd frontman. (Hurricane
Int)
Two of the world's premiere acoustic guitarists join forces in this concert recorded
in 1982 to define and explore the parameters of American and European folk, blues,
jazz and ragtime music - from a medieval English dance tune to a Charles Mingus
composition. Stefan Grossman and John Renbourn, play both solo and as a duo. Track
Listing: Loopers Corner/The Shoes Of The Fishermans Wife Are Some Jive Ass Slippers/Struttin
Rag/The Assassination of John Fahey/Tightrope/Judy/Angie/White House Blues, The
English Dance/Trotto/Goodbye Porkpie Hat/Candyman/Spirit Levels/Take A Whiff On
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