Review (Reposted): Patty Griffin - Downtown Church (* * * *)

After a consistently impressive start to any career, an artist tends to earn enough goodwill to try something different; a concept album, an unusual collaboration or new genre, for instance. But just because you can doesn’t mean you should, and for every successful foray into the previously unexplored there have been innumerable disasters. Granted, when you consider the dependably fantastic Patty Griffin’s latest effort, a gospel record fittingly labeled Downtown Church, it doesn’t seem so removed from her previous works (especially her last album, 2007’s wonderful Children Running Through). Her country-folk straddling aesthetic and continuing progression as a singer would seem to lend itself somewhat to gospel music, but there are still risks associated with her taking an album in a direction that many might see as alienating or easy to dismiss as an indulgent gimmick. (Continue Reading @ In Review Online)

Cory Chisel & the Wandering Sons - "Born Again" MP3

I don't know much about Cory Chisel & the Wandering Sons, but I recently heard the first single "Born Again" from their upcoming debut, Death Won't Send a Letter, and felt it was my responsibility to share such an exceptional song with you. Chisel's soulful voice combined with pleasant acoustic guitars and joyful organ is nothing short of captivating as he delivers a heartfelt folk tune that makes me want to hear the rest of the album as soon as possible.

You can find the link to download the song below along with a link to check out the video, which premiered on Paste. More information on these guys forthcoming!

Born Again (MP3)

Visit Paste to see the video

Review: The Builders and the Butchers - Salvation is a Deep Dark Well (* * * *)

Country music has never been what I might call my genre of choice, but that doesn't mean I can't appreciate a good southern rock record when I hear it. The Builders and the Butchers, purveyors of fiery Southern-style twang have made such an album that has caught my attention recently, their sophomore effort called Salvation is a Deep Dark Well. The boys hail from Oregon, but you could easily mistake them for being native to Louisiana circa 1920 so convincingly rustic is their aggressive folk-rock sound. Their music is gritty and dark, with tales of hell, demons, and the devil himself shouted with earnest over guitars, banjo, and percussion comprising much of the album's eleven tracks.

Right off the bat, The Builders and the Butchers set the stage with the ominous introduction to "Golden and Green," which transitions into a burning bluegrass number with lyrics so wonderfully drab as to remove all hope of Salvation telling any kind of redemption story. The over-the-top narratives sung with fervor can become a bit wearying and a few tunes come across as too dramatic ("Down in this Hole," for example), but the band are obviously having a good time with the music and chances are you will too. The tunes are fairly uniform in their quality, but a few stand out as being especially great. "Barcelona," with its impressive horn arrangements and appropriately Spanish style, the driving, percussion heavy stomp of "Vampire Lake," and the rockin' group-chanted chorus on "In the Branches" are all genuinely fantastic moments, showing the band's impressive instrumental chops on all things stringed.

The Builders and the Butchers rock their way confidently through forty minutes of rough-and-tumble Americana with precision execution, each song featuring just enough bells and whistles to be interesting while avoiding becoming a distraction from the vocals. Given its preoccupation with war, the devil, and other unpleasantness, Salvation is a Deep Dark Well may not be a record for the faint of heart, but if a romp through the hidden and dark side of humanity sounds appealing, The Builders and the Butchers will be happy to see you in hell.

Golden and Green (Zipped MP3)

The Builders and the Butchers on MySpace

Hoots & Hellmouth share their Secret

Alt-country trio Hoots & Hellmouth are set to release their second disc, The Holy Open Secret, this Tuesday, June 2nd. This is the first I've heard of these three and I imagine I'm not the only one as they seem to have flown fairly well below the radar after the release of their self-titled debut in 2007. I think their name needs mentioning now, however, because their new effort is worth a listen for its infectious and modern pop take on classic Americana. The boys use a combination of bass, guitar, and mandolin along with some stomping percussion to compliment their constantly harmonizing voices which convey equal parts politically charged and social conscious lyrics.

What's best about the whirlwind of countrified folk tunes on The Holy Open Secret is that it stays fun and light throughout, despite dealing with the aforementioned topics which could certainly be handled in a more heavy-handed manner. The result is an album that's easy to listen to and enjoy while simultaneously providing more to think about than you might find on a typical pop country record. Also, these guys have some serious musical chops and impressive pipes with which to deliver the good time they seem to be quite intent on presenting. On the upbeat side, highlights include the fiery opener "Roots of the Industry" and the soulful, aggressive "What Good Are Plowshares If We Use Them Like Swords." The band also provide several great ballads, especially the gentle "Ne'er Do Well" and the lovely closer, "Roll, Brandywine, Roll."

Hoots & Hellmouth's mix of blues, country, funk, and good, old-fashioned rock 'n' roll is something you won't want to miss out on, so take some time to give these guys a listen by downloading the track "Known For Possession" below or check out the band on MySpace to hear more.

Known For Possession (MP3)

I'm guess these guys put on a great live show, so be sure to take a look and see if they're heading your way soon!

Jun 3*The Square Room*Knoxville, TN
Jun 4*Levitt Shell @ Overton Park*Memphis, TN
Jun 5*Vernon Lanes*Louisville, KY
Jun 6*Off Broadway Nightclub*St. Louis, MO
Jun 7*Wakarusa Festival*Ozark, AK
Jun 7*George’s Majestic Lounge - Wakarusa afterparty!*Fayetteville, AK
Jun 9*The Redstone Room*Davenport, IA
Jun 10*7th Street Entry*Minneapolis, MA
Jun 11*Shank Hall*Milwaukee, WI
Jun 13*Ribfest Chicago - North Stage*Chicago, IL
Jun 18*Joe’s Pub*New York, NY
Jul 11*StageOne*Fairfield, CT
Jul 16*The Basement*Nashville, TN
Jul 19*Unplugged in the Park @ Park Tavern*Atlanta, GA
Jul 25*WXPN All About the Music Festival*Camden, NJ
Aug 5*Musikfest - Liederplatz Stage*Bethlehem, PA
Aug 6*Iron Horse*Northampton, MA
Aug 7*Infinity Hall*Norfolk, CT
Sept 11*The Ark*Ann Arbor, MI
Sept 18-19*Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion*Bristol, VA

Recommended Artist: The Devil Makes Three

If you didn't know better, you might swear The Devil Makes Three's new album, Do Wrong Right, was a re-release of some country folk band's late 1950's hit record, but the group has only been around for the last seven years or so. Their infectious, fresh take on what they call 'vintage American blues' makes this drummer-less trio out of Santa Clara, California (of all places) worth checking out, and their new album has been a great introduction for me. Guitarist/frontman Pete Bernhard, stand-up bassist Lucia Turino and guitarist Cooper McBean effectively channel their old-school bluegrass and folk influences into an impressive collection of twelve songs, with a sort of raw punk attitude giving the music a compelling edge.

If you haven't already, you should download the opening track, "All Hail," which I posted previously. The song should give you a good idea of the band's signature style, complete with rustic production qualities and Bernhard's cleverly sharp lyrics that are often sarcastic and always witty, but contain a remarkable amount of insight as well. Other highlights from the new record include the trouble making title track, the dark, sinister "Help Yourself," and the hillbilly rocker "Aces and Twos." Also, check out the trio's MySpace page to hear some tunes both new and old or head over to their site for more info.

Hill Country Revue set to release debut LP - offer free single

The name Hill Country Revue may be new, but you might have heard members Cody Dickinson and Chris Chew's other group, North Mississippi Allstars, or Daniel Coburn's band Dixie Hustler. Together, and with several other well-known Memphis musicians, the boys formed this new project - seeking to become the "the modern blues band for the new generation." The music is heavily steeped in classic Southern rock, with plenty of incidiary guitar riffs and a solid rhythm section making songs like "Alice May" an irresistable update of a timeless sound. Their debut album, Make A Move, will be released on May 12.

"The North Mississippi Allstars haven’t broken up,” Cody Dickinson says. “We’re just off doing different things. Hill Country Revue, for Chris and me, is like a big jolt of adrenaline. It changes our blood chemistry and has us firing on a whole different set of synapses. Also the input from the other guys in the band, both as musicians and friends, is amazing. So everybody gains!”

Download the track "Alice May" below, and check out the tour dates for this Spring and Summer:

Alice May (MP3)

04.24.08 – Backbeat Jazzfest Series/The Republic – New Orleans, LA
05.02.09 – George’s Majestic Lounge – Fayetteville, AR
05.16.09 – Batesville Springfest – Batesville, MS
05.23.09 – Summer Camp Fest – Chillicothe, IL
05.30.09 – The Jewish Mother – Virginia Beach, VA
06.05.09 – Wanee Festival – Live Oak, FL
06.27.09 – North MS Hill Country Picnic – Potts Camp, MS
07.05.09 – Rothbury Music Fest – Rothbury, MI
07.10.09 – All Good Music Festival – Masontown, WV
07.31.09 – Verizon Wireless Center – Noblesville, IN **
08.01.09 – Verizon Wireless Center – Noblesville, IN **

Iceland's Lay Low preps new record, offers free song

Though Iceland has certainly given us some very worthwhile music in recent years, I don't believe I've heard any Icelandic artists that fit into the country/folk genre, which makes newcomer Lay Low unique among her peers (at least in my experience). Her sophomore effort, Farewell Good Night's Sleep will be released on May 26th, a followup to her acclaimed 2007 debut (a huge hit in Iceland), Please Don't Hate Me. Lovisa Elisabet Sigrunardottir, the single artist behind the Lay Low name, is a talented writer with a love for blues, folk, and Americana, which she delivers with a unique and fresh perspective.

You can download a song from her upcoming album below. "By and By" is a lovely pop-folk tune with a classic country edge and serves as a nice introduction to Lay Low if you haven't heard her music before. Grab that and head over to her MySpace to hear more. Also, Lay Low has a few upcoming tour dates which you can find below as well.

By and By (zipped MP3)


Tour dates:

Thur, March 26 New York, NY @ Mercury Lounge (w/ Elizabeth & the Catapult)

Sat, March 28 New York, NY @ Hiro Ballroom (w/ Emiliana Torrini)

Sun, March 29 San Francisco, CA @ The Independent (w/ Emiliana Torrini)

Mon, March 30 Los Angeles, CA @ The Troubadour (w/ Emiliana Torrini)


Track List:

I Forget It's There
By and By
The Reason Why My Heart's in Misery
Last Time Around
On My Own
Farewell Good Night's Sleep
Why do I Worry?
Days Have Been
Little by Little
My Second Hand Heart
The Country Ballad

The Devil Makes Three announce tour, debut album

If you didn't know any better, you might think The Devil Makes Three originated from pretty much anywhere BUT Southern California. The drummer-less trio of of Pete Bernhard (guitar, banjo, harmonica, vocals), Lucia Turino (upright bass), and Cooper McBean (guitar, banjo, saw) make country folk music that sounds quite unlike anything made since about 1950 or so. Their old-school blues sound has a raw, rough edge and a light-hearted feel that makes for quite the musical experience. The group are set to release their third album, Do Wrong Right, on May 5 and will start touring in March.

For a taste of the upcoming record, download the opening track "All Hail" below and visit their MySpace to hear a few more tunes. Stay tuned for a full album review a little closer to the release date.

All Hail (MP3)


Tour Dates:

MARCH

March 12: Club Fred - FRESNO, CA
March 13: Las Vegas Country Saloon - LAS VEGAS, NEVADA
March 14: The Green Room, FLAGSTAFF, CA
March 16: WXSW Festival - TUCSON, ARIZONA
March 21 - Submerged, Austin TX
March 18: Lovejoys - AUSTIN, TX
March 23: The Blue Door - OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA
March 26: Burt's Tiki Lounge: SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH

MAY

May 2: Great American Music Hall - San Francisco, CA . CD RELEASE
CONCERT)
May 10: Downtown Brew - San Luis Obispo, CA
May 11: Downtown Brew: San Luis Obispo, CA
May 15: Mystic Theater, PETALUMA, CA
May 17: The Historic Ashland Armory, ASHLAND, Oregon
May 22: Stawberry Music Festival. YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK, CA
May 26: WOW Hall, EUGENE, OR
May 27: Wonder Ballroom, PORTLAND, OR
May 28: The Crocodile - SEATTLE, WASHINGTON
May 29: Baby Bar - SPOKANE, WASHINGTON
May 30: The Other Side - MISSOULA, MONTANA
May 31: The FIlling Station - BOZEMAN, MONTANA

Review: Or, The Whale - Light Poles and Pines (* * * 1/2)

Or, The Whale is a California-based country band featuring seven members in total, playing a variety of instruments from accordion to guitar to saw, and six of whom are listed as singers (at least in the liner notes). Frontman Alex Robins leads the group on a wide-ranging journey through alternative country music that showcases the band's talent and sense of melody on their debut, Light Poles and Pines, which was re-released this past January.

"Call and Response," a rolling backwoods rocker, opens the album with an explosion of guitar, banjo and edgy lyrics that immediately captures your attention. When Or, The Whale keep things moving quickly, the results are consistently strong, as evidenced by tracks like the bluegrass-tinged "Threads," the pop-country "Fixin' To Leave," and "Gonna Have To," where one of the band's female members shares vocals duties. While Robins' takes the vast majority of the lead vocal on 'Light Poles,' he seems in danger of being overshadowed by those of his bandmates who possess stronger voices, especially on the more gentle, melancholy tunes like "Rope Don't Break," and "Isn't She Awful." The group blend so well together, though, that no matter the singer, the best moments are always those filled with plenty of harmony.

The music of Light Poles and Pines is what holds things together and causes the album to work as well as it does. Each song is filled to the brim with spot-on instrumentation that is ear-pleasing without ever feeling overdone. I'm a sucker for a good banjo line and some jangly guitar, a combination which Or, The Whale have down to a science, and with each bit of slide guitar or keys thrown into the mix, I'm a little more hooked. It's not exactly groundbreaking, but it is fun, expressive, and entertaining music with an immediate impact.

The band do feel a little bit unfocused at times, though the album's variety is certainly interesting. With a wealth of talent and ideas at their disposal, Or, The Whale have a good thing going, a solid base upon which they can build. This is their first album, and I imagine it will only get better from here.

Or, The Whale: album details, tour dates, MP3

Or, The Whale are a seven-piece country/folk band from California that have recently re-released their debut album, Light Poles and Pines, earlier this month. The band's slightly twangy southern rock sound is full of sweet vocal harmony and lush instrumentation; think a smoother, lighter version of the Drive-By Truckers. You can get a preview of their new album by downloading the melancholy ballad "Rope Don't Break" below. You can also hear another, more upbeat song from the album, called "Call and Response" over at the band's MySpace page. Both are worth a listen.

Rope Don't Break (MP3)


Track List for Light Poles and Pines:

01. Call and Response
02. Saint Bernard
03. Threads
04. Isn't She Awful
05. Death of Me
06. Crack a Smile
07. Fixin' to Leave
08. Rope Don't Break
09. Life and Death at Sea
10. Gonna Have To
11. Bound to Go Home
12. Prayer for the Road
13. Fight Song


Or, The Whale have also announced a February/March tour:


02-11 San Francisco, CA - Hotel Utah Saloon
02-19 Eureka, CA - The Pearl Lounge
02-20 Portland, OR - Berbati's Pan
02-21 Seattle, WA - The Sunset Tavern
03-12 Los Angeles, CA - Silverlake Lounge*
03-16 El Paso, TX - Zeppelin's
03-18 Austin, TX - SXSW
03-19 Denton, TX - The Boilerroom
03-21 Ft. Worth, TX - The Chat Room Pub
03-24 Denver, CO - Meadowlark
03-25 Salt Lake City, UT - Kilby Court
03-27 Sacramento, CA - Luigi's Fun Garden
03-28 Berkeley, CA - Starry Plough

Review: Sleep Station - Blood Of Our Fathers (* * *)

Sleep Station front-man David Debiak has always been driven by politics, wars, and social change, and never more so than on his new album Blood Of Our Fathers. The record is being offered for free on Air and Sea Battle with the original intention of compelling people to vote in the recent election. Though Sleep Station has previously recorded as a more complete band, Blood Of Our Fathers has the feel of a solo album for Debiak, with his acoustic guitar and slightly rusty voice as his primary weapons.

It's readily apparent on his new album (right from the cover art, actually) that Debiak has a fascination with war's effect on society. Blood Of Our Fathers doesn't so much decry all conflict as it explains and explores the struggles of those who fight and give more than anyone else can appreciate or understand. "America" contains some of the record's most pointed lyrics, like "you won't realize you were blind, and gave away everything you owned" and "you'll send your boy to die, for your freedom way of life, to become a man so he can do his part, but America will leave him in the dark." Elsewhere, soldiers fight, pray, and struggle to make sense of their life after returning home. At times, he gets too heavy-handed, but the lyrics of Blood Of Our Fathers are often stirring and occasionally memorable .

Musically, Debiak covers no new territory here, shifting from Rocky Votolato-esque folk tunes (Blood Of Our Fathers) to country-rock (America, Leads Back Home). He's sounds comfortable and proficient throughout the album and creates a few shining moments, like the melancholy, broken-hearted prayer "Oh Mary" or the simple, affecting leaving song "Can't Shake This Town." Sometimes, however, the music lacks any real melodic or emotional hook and the album starts to feel a bit mundane.

As a whole, Blood Of Our Fathers is straightforward folk-rock that is consistently enjoyable throughout. I honestly can't think of any reason why you wouldn't go and download this to check it out for yourself.

Review: Backyard Tire Fire - The Places We Lived (* * * 1/2)

If there wasn't an existing genre called southern-rock-indie-pop before now, Backyard Tire Fire has created it. Like Wilco or Spoon with a southern twist, BTF has a love for catchy choruses and off-beat lyrics, throwing in a little twang and some fuzzy guitar solos (a la Lynyrd Skynyrd) for good measure.



"The Places We Lived" starts things of well with a couple pop tunes, especially "Shoulda Shut It," which might be my favorite track on the album. After that though, the results are a little spotty. "Everybody's Down," and "Time With You" are decent songs but they aren't especially interesting, and "How In the Hell Did You Get Back Here?" sounds like a Drive-by Truckers b-side. Things pick up again with the boogie-woogie stomp of "One Wrong Turn," and stay solid throughout the rest of the album, closing with the strings-laced "Home Today."



Though at times uneven, "The Places We Lived" is an indie album that combines some great ideas and makes for a fun listen. It's offbeat and odd, but always purposefully so, and at a brief 34 minutes, it doesn't try your patience. Backyard Tire Fire seem like they haven't settled on exactly what kind of music they want to make or what kind of band they want to be, and that's not a bad thing for now.