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In Stock 11.20.07 Site Updated on 11.15.07 Send A Site Link Pages to Browse: [ Home 2 |Crackers|DVD||Coming Soon| This Week's releases] Visit: The MoM Blog |
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To answer your "Wha?" question about this e-mail before you've even
thought to ask it, we've spent this week receiving back our inventory from the
ill-fated warehouse Titanic. For those of you who hate doing physical inventory,
this is the worst scenario imaginable. Counting and sorting stuff randomly put
in lots of boxes with a checklist that in no way referred to a box number. I'd
rather pick fleas off the head of an Orangutan... with my teeth.
call. That way we can give you immediate information on your order. We always
run a few (or several) days behind on e-mail so pick up that phone and dial now....
operators are standing by... if it isn't the middle of the night. We also need
our beauty rest, especially after this week.
This
week you get a recap of titles that are "back in stock." We're always
a little surprised at what sells and what doesn't. Since we, like everyone else,
focuses on the "what's newest and best" this week, lots of smaller titles
get lost along the way. Even though, the real reason we're not giving you brand
new titles is we all spent the entire week in the warehouse and couldn't possibly
perform our regular duties on top of that, we wanted to give you a note that we're
here, keeping our Thursday streak intact.
Next
week is back to the normal routine. We plug them and you buy them
Rock legend Richie Furay returned to secular music after a 30 year hiatus. Joining
Furay on `Hearbeat of Love` are former band mates, Neil Young, and Stephen Stills,
Rusty Young, Paul Cotton, Timothy B. Schmidt, Kenny Loggins, and Mark Volman.
Chet Flippo said on cmt.com, "It`s a return and a reprise but not at all
a repeat of what Furay was doing with his genre-bending bands years ago. For country-rock
aficionados, it`s like a shot in the arm." This first pressing comes in deluxe
packaging. -- Jeff Weiss, Miles of Music (self-released) 
Music has always been a part of Sarah Lee Guthrie’s life. Arlo is her dad
and Woody is her grandfather. She now is married to up ‘n’ coming country
rocker Johnny Irion. All of this would mean little if Sarah Lee weren’t a
talented musician in her own right. Her self-titled debut is a charmer, filled
with country numbers that speak from the heart. Songs like "River" and
"Johnny By My Side" flow with a folk-tinged gentleness, while "World
Turns In G" busts out some country rock feistiness. Make way for the next
generation of musical Guthries. (Rising Son)
Can you gamble on a band that has Jay Bennett in the producers chair and album
art specially designed by Jon Langford? Looks good from the cover, but does it
live up to its promise? Yes it does! Chicago`s Outlaw Family Band are a wiry six-piece
band whose sound is a merger of old-timey instrumentation, twangy lo-fi Southern
rock and loose, back porch folk, all graced with Young-ian (read Neil) philosophies.
The tracks on their self-titled full-length debut were captured fresh, much as
they perform them, live and in the moment. James Weigel`s reedy tone is rife with
rural-rich narratives and the occasional protest number. Well, specifically Blaze
Foley`s "WWIII". The rest of the songs are originals from Weigel and
the band, offering honest, organic music that can be both humorous and serious.
Sometimes all at once. (Slackjaw Records) 
"Making straight-ahead rock isn`t rocket science. It`s breaking into the
lab, mixing the contents of a couple test tubes, and trying not to blow shit up.
And it`s the kind of science that singer/songwriter/drummer Terry Anderson has
been excelling at for close to 30 years, with co-starring roles in various North
Carolina bands and three strong solo releases to his credit. These days he leads
his own Olympic Ass-Kickin` Team, whose consistently entertaining debut combines
the southern-fried Face-isms of the Georgia Satellites, the pile-driving rock
of Rockpile, and the scruffy heart of midtempo NRBQ - three reference points that
Anderson comes by honestly. He plays with ex-Satellite Dan Baird in the Yayhoos.
He frequently writes with former NRBQer Al Anderson (their collaboration "You
Know Me" shines here.) And well, he really likes Dave Edmunds and Nick Lowe."
- No Depression Magazine, Nov, 2005 (Doublenaught) 
Taking it`s name from the foothills of Melbourne`s Dandenong range, Cyndi Boste
fourth release is simultaneously her most diverse and her most retro. Taking her
songwriting cues from her childhood experiences in those foothills, Boste muses
on the frustrations of youth, love on the rocks and the woes and small rewards
of the youthfully enthusiastic working musician. Unlike her previous releases,
Boste has cast her tales decidedly into the traditional country/folk/blues/gospel
sound that was prominent on the radio when she was growing up. Her honey-rich
voice along with excellent backing and thoughtful production make Boste`s fourth
release a dandy, indeed. -- Jeff Weiss, Miles of Music (Sound Valley Records)
Davis writes simple tales of broken-hearts and big dreams. While he sound is closer
to Ryan Adams or Clem Snide`s Eef Barzelay, Davis cites The Rolling Stones, Adams,
The Drive-By Truckers and Nirvana as major influences. You can hear that in his
emotional honesty of his songs. The album stays on a low musical country/folk
simmer, forcing you to feel the words and his emotional turmoil. Just 21, Davis
showcases a songwriting talent and a weariness beyond his years. -- Jeff Weiss,
Miles of Music (self-released) 
Radio station KNON in Dallas, TX wrote, "Mark Jungers with his solid Midwestern
roots has an ability to put perfect little pictures of life and all its many detours
and dead ends into songs. He's like that really funny friend with those great
stories except he sings them." Jungers and The Whistling Mules create a warm,
no-frills backing for Jungers' clever songwriting. This is top notch meat-and-potatoes
roots rock, solid from beginning to end. -- Jeff Weiss, Miles of Music (American
Rural Records)
Of late, multi-instrumentalist Ted Russell Kamp can be cited as a workhorse touring
member of Shooter Jennings` band, The 357`s. With much of his latest release written
- and even recorded - primarily on the road, Divisadero guides us through a division
of one man`s time, mind and heart; and Kamp comes through with smart lyrics and
a rich, coarse drawl to give it all credibility. Some of his "classic"
minded numbers recall Nick Lowe when he`s wearing his "Cowboy Outfit."
Others, including the funky and smooth duet with Shooter, "Better Before
You Were Big Time", have a decidedly Leon Russell-esque quality about them.
The disc featuring numerous other special guests from his many Nashville, Los
Angeles and "Jennings" associations including, among others, Eric Heywood
(pedal-steel), Eugene Edwards (guitar), Gina Villalobos (vocals) and a special
vocal appearance by Jessi Colter on the tender "Looking For Someone".
-- Robinson, Miles Of Music (Poetry Of The Moment) 
This is genius at work and the impression is Kaplin -- multi-instrumentalist and
go-to guy -- is barely showing his hand. This limited edition 12 track collection
of mostly-instrumentals showcases why Kaplin is mentioned as this generations`
Ry Cooder. The packaging is a hand-pressed cover by Hatch Show Print. Kaplin is
accompanied by George Bradfute with guest spots by Kieran Kane, Paul Burch and
Mickey Grimm. -- Jeff Weiss, Miles of Music (self-released)
Americana-uk.com`s Dan Wilkinson gave Black Top Road 9/10 Stars saying, "`Black
Top Road` is an essential album in a year of very few essential albums."
Jeff Kanzler offers a beautifully understated collection. Gently strummed acoustic
guitars, soft harmonica, muted trumpets, and brushed drums all contribute to the
mellow vibe. With a warm vocal style resembling Steve Forbert, Kanzler tells tails
of lost love and trying to do better next time. This album is delicate, but not
fragile as Kanzler allows the vocals and lyrical emotion to carry the show. --
Jeff Weiss, Miles of Music (self-released) 
Four albums into her young career, Kurn is one of the exciting voices of folk
music. Her idiosyncratic Iris Dement-like voice combined with a simple "around
the table conversation" style of songwriting brings an edge that is frequently
lacking with much modern folk. Kurn`s stories revolve around the kinds of events
we all experience everyday. Her writing frequently results in an, "oh, yeah,
that is exactly how I feel at that moment," experience by the listener. When
the first song starts it is clear Emily Kurn is on to something special. -- Jeff
Weiss. Miles of Music (self-released) 
The Boston Metro said, "Lorntell`s rock constitution lies somewhere between
the alt-country angels of Whiskeytown and the power-pop crush of The Replacements."
While there are tinges of North Carolina`s favorite Whiskeytown, this 2006 release
falls into the propulsive roots-rock sound of vintage Replacements. Jesse Perkins
vocals reveal a grief and weariness but also an optimism. Lead guitarist Edward
Taylor channels the spirit of Bob Stinson. This hook-filled record rocks. -- Jeff
Weiss, Miles of Music (self-released)
TJ McFarland writes small stories of murderers, thieves, and corruption. Influenced
by Woody Guthrie and pre-electric Dylan, McFarland continues the tradition of
the troubadour or storyteller with his tales of the common man`s woes. His rich
voice, combining an acoustic guitar and fiddle, allow the words to float forward,
focusing on the story. A great step forward from his excellent 2005 release Rosenbaum`s
Gin. -- Jeff Weiss, Miles of Music (self-released)
Could `Hate It When You Are Right` by The Offramps be the best Replacements album
in 20 years? Detroit`s The Offramps have made the the successor to the `Mats "Please
To Meet Me" that "All Shook Down" wasn`t. No band can live up to
the lofty expectation of being the next Replacements, but The Offramps do an exceptionally
good job of capturing the loose, loud roots-pop of Minnesota`s favorite band that
no one has ever heard of. The Offramps have taken the ground work laid by luminaries
The Replacements , Cheap Trick, and Joan Jett and done it right. New ground is
not being broken here, but the fertile sound from an era has been recaptured without
sounding retro. -- Jeff Weiss, Miles of Music (Deluxe) 
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) 
This is prototypical Americana music: a stew of bluegrass, country, folk, and
blues, none dominate, all contribute considerably. The same can be said of the
band members. This Columbus, Ohio band`s considerable individual talent give this
release a bit of a schizophrenic feel as they careen through several Americana-related
styles. Jesse Henry`s songwriting and lead-vocals standout among his peers, especially
on The Ballad of John Dillinger, and Like Water. There are enough positives to
recommend this stew above many groups that are doing similar but not nearly as
engaging music. --Jeff Weiss, Miles of Music 
Lead Stickpony Brit Jones has a vision which "had led him on a long, torturous
path of catastrophic illness, substance abuse, mental illness, and the replacement
of every fellow band member several times over. He doesn`t care.He just wants
to rock." This five song EP fulfills that goal with raucous country rock,
insistent vocals, and chiming and twangy guitars. Jones focuses his songs on the
dark and the absurd. Not a surprise for a guy that has been through so much, but
presses forward. - Jeff Weiss, Miles of Music (Club De Musique)
While this might seem like a backwards reference, Three Day Threshold are like
the Pogues, but doing country. Against The Grain is rowdy fun, a super-charged
roots-rock assault with glorious choruses primed for a drunken sing-along. If
this record is any indication, they must be a smokin live band because on disc
they tear it up. -- Jeff Weiss, Miles of Music (Hi-N-Dry) 
Utah Carol`s Grant Birkenbeuel and JinJa Davis create ethereal soundscape songs
that are simultaneously enchanting and creepy. The duo`s soft and seductive harmonies
create a dreamscape world -- children`s stories for adults -- that initially provide
comfort like the scent of baking bread in mom`s kitchen. After you get past the
pretty surface themes of heartache, sabotage, obsession and hope waft out. This
mix of the hypnotic aspects of shoegaze pop, the sensuality of whispering Don
Gibson, and the small-town-life-is-ok-until-you-look-closer aspect of David Lynch
film making gives Utah Carol its unique, engaging and, sometimes, creepy appeal.
-- Jeff Weiss, Miles of Music (Stomping Ground) 
The Wyatts deliver a boozy romp through nitro-fueled honky tonk gathering "the
classic sadness of classic country." Stephen Siegel, from the Tucson Weekly,
wrote. "The Wyatts reach way back to when country and rock were virtually
the same thing -- their songs are country in their subject matter and style, but
strip away the slide guitar, twang, cowboy hats and boots, and at the core is
a good old-fashioned rock `n` roll." -- Jeff Weiss, Miles of Music (self-titled)
This debut release will definitely put The Wyatts on the map of roots rock bands.
Their CD is a blend of country rock and pop rock music delivered with a fresh
flavor served up by The Wyatts. The players and the vocal performances are outstanding.
This band will put more heat into the dance halls and clubs of Arizona. An excellent
debut!" - The Roots Music Report, San Marcos, Texas
Previously an iTunes exclusive, the LP boasts all twenty-two recordings from The
Searchs studio sessions. Only 1000 copies were pressed for this extremely limited
edition. | Alt Country | Americana Music | Bluegrass Music | Country Bluegrass | Folk Music Folk Rock | Roots Rock | Singer Songwriter | Sitemap |