Authors: James Orme
Review: Darius Koski – Sisu
Darius Koski = Neil Young + Nick Cave + John Doe … read more
Review: Corespondents – Land of the Low People
Now I don’t want to come across as turning my nose up at this record, but Land of the Low People just goes too far. It seems to be experimental for experiment’s sake—make this Utah boy just don’t get it, but each of these 15 instrumentals has very little to latch on to. Jazz and country elements sound great when they’re played, but then they are bent into something unrecognizable (or, in most cases, enjoyable). The strange fact is that I can tell it took a lot of talent create this record, I just can’t imagine anybody electing to let this thing play for longer than 10 minutes or so. … read more
Review: Cory Branan – The No-Hit Wonder
Cory Branan = Justin Townes Earle + Lucero + Todd Snider … read more
Review: Connie Converse – How Sad, How Lovely
Connie Converse = Sara Carter + Harry McClintock + Susan Reed … read more
Review: Chris Wollard and the Ship Thieves – Canyons
Rollicking blues-thumping rock n’ roll bleeds out of these guys. Chris Wollard and the Ship Thieves are a full-throttle rock band with a full, rich sound that is as colorful and as it is raw. Wollard, who’s also in Hot Water Music, takes several steps closer to a more roots-influenced rock sound than he’s done in the past. His song writing, always at a high level, seems to have gone even higher, probably due to the fact that he’s the clearly at the helm of these Ship Thieves, and Canyons is very much his vision. … read more
Review: Chuck Ragan – Till Midnight
It’s amazing to me that Chuck Ragan has become as good as he is. A punk guy playing folk rock seems like it might just be interesting, in the sort-term, because of the juxtaposition of it, but here we are with a fourth full-length and he’s only gotten better.
… read more
Review: C.W. Stoneking – Gon’ Boogaloo
C.W. Stoneking = The Pinehill Haints + Screamin’ Jay Hawkins + T-Model Ford … read more
Review: Brent Amaker and the Rodeo – Year of the...
When it comes to strange and different bands, Brent Amaker and the Rodeo is at the top of my list. I feel like there’s something I just don’t get. … read more
Review: Bad Religion – Christmas Songs
Although I can’t say exactly what I was expecting from this record, I have to say, other than its oddball appeal, the jovial seasonal tunes didn’t really scratch the itch I got when I first heard about this project. … read more
The Honky Tonk Journeyman: An interview with J.P. Harris
J.P. sees himself as a tradesman and approaches his music career the same way he approached working as a carpenter. He works hard and gives his work all that he has. … read more