Posts by Jason Gonulsen

Before Willie Nelson, Neil Young, John Mellencamp, and Dave Matthews took the stage for the 24th Farm Aid in St. Louis, they were in the mood to talk about why they were really in Missouri—to help educate the nation about the family farmer. “I like good food,” said Neil Young. “(And) people need to check out where the food’s from when they go to the market—if you go to Safeway, if you go to Whole Foods, or wherever you go—take a look and try to find food that’s grown locally, and try to find food that’s sustainable—the methods. And also, if you want the best, try to find organic food. You can’t go wrong supporting family farmers who grow organic food. Really, we’ve been saying this for years, and we’re still saying it. And we’re too big to fail”

Once in a while, a singer will come along who will make you want to listen a little bit closer. Brandi Shearer is that kind of singer, and her new album, Love Don’t Make You Juliet, is just as stunning as her voice. Shearer possesses the sexiest voice I’ve heard in years, and her infectious songs have staying power that ease on at a smooth pace.

“Once I thought, without a doubt, I had it all figured out,” Jeff Tweedy of Wilco sings on “Solitaire,” a standout track off Wilco (the album). Yeah, I could have picked a hundred or so other lines by Tweedy to highlight here—that’s what makes writing about his words so difficult. But, that’s the one that speaks loud and clear to me today. Because about eight years ago, Jeff Tweedy taught me that, when it comes to music, you never have it all figured out.

Turning fast beneath the mightiest of guns,” A.A. Bondy sings on “Mightiest of Guns,” the opening track off his newest offering, When the Devil’s Loose. It’s a song that exemplifies what Bondy does best—he takes his time with his talents, slowly taking you in with his dreamy voice, smart lyrics, and soulful punch.

Singer-songwriter Sara Wasserman knows a little something about patience. Her debut album, Solid Ground, took seven years to finish, and the carefully crafted project is as promising as it is polished. 

Even in today’s era of downloading individual songs, I still somehow obsess over the fine art of album sequencing. A recent example of its effectiveness can be found on Wilco’s latest, where the Chicago band pairs the insane ending of “Bull Black Nova” with the immediate acoustic relief of “You and I.” It’s like the two Excedrin that you down after the quick onset of a headache has taken over your body and thoughts—there is still rage, but you know the end is near. Singer-songwriter Jason Karaban’s newest project, a three-song EP titled Mayfly, is a lot like those two Excedrin—it comforts and kills the pain of the past with a perfect and promising dose of simplicity.

While his band, Minibar, is on hiatus, Simon Petty has resurfaced, recording under the alias Solomon’s Seal. His solo offering, The Sea, The Sea, is a collection of mostly delicate acoustic tunes that tug at the soul and bring a sense of wonder.

Sometimes all it takes is a pure voice, a few instruments, and a scattering of bells and whistles for a talent to stand out in a crowd. Canada’s Andy Shauf has all of those things, and he delivers them on Darker Days, his solo debut. The songs are brief, the songwriting seems personal and mature, and the melodies have staying power that suggest Shauf, 21, is a lot older than he really is.

Whether or not you’re put off by the opening “Wilco (the song)” and its “Wilco will love you, baby!” chorus, at least the alt-rockers from Chicago are being honest—this album is undeniably a full band effort.

Hombre Lobo songs shake with a weird sort of tension. “Lilac Breeze,” with its unyielding craziness, should eventually become an anthem for a future Quinten Tarantino film, while “The Longing” finds Everett searching for “her smile, her touch, her smell, her laugh, her tears, her sorrow, her faults, her doubts.” And that’s the thing about Everett—he’s tasted every flavor, tried every approach until he’s howling with delight. There’s not much here to dislike.

“There’s something about life that’s worth living,” sings Sarah Siskind on “Worth Fighting For,” one of many standout tracks on her newest album, Say it Louder. Over 13 tracks, Siskind delivers messages on love, regret, and ultimately, hope for the future through vocals that possess seemingly endless range.

With poppy hooks and an alluring voice, Lisa Donnelly has created a charming solo debut, We Had a Thing. Donnelly, who admits she’s a “writer who sings,” often shows a hint of sass in her lyrics, delivering lines like “Open your heart and close your legs/ They only want what makes ’em beg” on the opener, “Laugh.” There’s a slick attitude that encompasses all 10 tracks, and while there is nothing groundbreaking, there are certainly enough funky surprises here to keep you interested and smiling; a solid start for Donnelly.

If you know anything about Tim Easton, it’s that the man can write a song. 2006’s Ammunition displayed all of the Ohio native’s songwriting talents; among the highlights were the delicate tunes,  “Oh People” and “Next to You,” the political tunes, “News Blackout” and “Before the Revolution”, and the fun tunes, “Dear Old Song & Dance” and “C-Dub.” Easton’s newest album, Porcupine, is a different animal, but it bites just as fierce—mainly by rocking the night away.

Who is Mandy Moore the musician? Is she the teen who sang silly and sweet pop tunes 10 years ago?  Is she a secret fan of Werewolph and death metal? Or, is she the artist who is credited as a co-writer for all of the songs on Amanda Leigh, an album she recorded with Mike Viola and Ducky Carlisle using vintage equipment?  Glide recently had a chance to talk with Moore about the making of Amanda Leigh, her influences, and expectations.

It’s no secret that Steve Earle has always loved Townes Van Zandt as a writer and musician—it just took him until now to record a whole album’s worth of his songs. There are 15 gems here, making Townes well worth the wait, and then some. The opener, “Poncho and Lefty,” is probably Van Zandt’s most beloved song, and hearing Earle sing it feels as natural as listening to him belt out some of his best songs like “Goodbye” or “Someday.” It’s just that good.  

“Whenever I am not touring, I’m back in Oklahoma,” says 22-year-old singer-songwriter Samantha Crain, who, along with her band, The Midnight Shivers, just released her first full-length, Songs in the Night. When you hear Crain’s voice for the first time, it’s easy to imagine her sitting on a front porch in Shawnee, Oklahoma—not New York or L.A. —just living the good life. Because that’s what Crain’s music does—it takes you to a special place where you just want to let everything slide.

There’s a moment in the song “Ashes of American Flags” where Jeff Tweedy sings, “All my lies are always wishes/ I know I would die if I could come back new.” And “come back new” is exactly what Wilco has done the last few years. After many line-up changes, there is finally a sense of comfortable continuity within the band, and on their new concert DVD, which is also titled Ashes of American Flags, they’ve never sounded better as a unit. 

I’ve never had the opportunity to formally interview Neko Case, but that doesn’t mean I don’t have a story that involves her. About six years ago, before one of her shows in St. Louis, I sat next to and talked with Ms. Case for a good two hours.

The John Paul Jones-produced album, Watkins’ first as a solo artist, doesn’t lack in any area; instead, it soars with the star power that surrounds every note. Besides the aforementioned Jones, Watkins has help from Gillian Welch, David Rawlings, and Elvis Costello drummer Pete Thomas, to name just a few. After a couple listens, it will be evident that, although you might still wish for Nickel Creek to reform someday, you’ll also realize you have something sparkling and special in Sara Watkins all by herself.

If you’re a fan of Maria Taylor’s first two albums, 11:11 and Lynn Teeter Flower, then her newest release, LadyLuck, will seem like an old friend. If you’re new to Taylor’s hushed vocals and overall somber reflections on relationships and life, then these ten new tunes might take some time getting used to.