Authors: James Orme
Review: Nikki Hill – Here’s Nikki Hill
Nikki and Matt Hill are proof positive that when two talented people marry and come together creatively good things are going to happen. Nikki has all the swagger of ‘50s and ‘60s R&B soul artists, and every bit of the power and punch of the male blues shouters of the same era. … read more
Review: Night Birds – Maimed For The Masses
These New Jersey punks nailed the snotty sound of early ‘80s hardcore punk. … read more
Review: Night Birds – Born To Die In Suburbia
Night Birds, however, seem like the kind of band that could turn on you at any second—a snotty, fast-paced brand of punk that, yes, is reminiscent of ’80s-era bands, but they do so much more than just ape a certain period of hardcore punk. … read more
Review: NOFX – Stoke Extinguisher
I’m not going to try and convince you to like NOFX—if you’ve been around this music at all, then you know who they are and what they do, but this EP is them doing it at their best. … read more
Review: Memphis Dawls – Rooted in the Bone
Memphis Dawls = Emmylou Harris + The Everly Brothers + The Civil Wars … read more
Review: Michael Bloomfield – From His Head to His Heart...
This three-disc set is a lot to wade through, and it is so eclectic, treading into jazz and rock regions, I can’t imagine any blues fan, guitar enthusiast or fan of the artists Bloomfield worked with not finding the trip worth it. … read more
Review: Luke Bell – Self-Titled
Luke Bell = J.P. Harris + Don Gibson + Dale Watson
… read more
Review: Luke Winslow-King – The Coming Tide
When it comes to contemporary roots music, the easy route is to punk things up—play it faster or with an edge—but roots music transcends time and period. Luke Winslow-King walks that fine line between slavishly authentic and radical change just for the sake of change. … read more
Review: Loves It – All We Are
“Western Swing Murder” is a jaunty little tune about a murder that masterfully pays homage to the genre referenced in the song’s title. “Rocket ship” is a quick rocker that showcases Walters’ Springsteen-like charisma. … read more