Posts by Lee Zimmerman

[rating=8.00] As part of the Fiery Furnaces, Eleanor Friedberger was never shy about giving vent to her quirkier impulses. It served the duo well when it came to getting them on the radar, but it stifled their opportunities from there, keeping them from ever blossoming beyond any kind of rarified stature. Happily then, New View […]

[rating=8.00] You’d expect Lukas Nelson to be something of an insurgent, given that his dad, Willie Nelson, is something of an insurgent himself. But whereas his old man occasionally dips into more adult terrain — a tendency that by his latest effort, a tribute to George Gershwin — Lukas, his brother Micah and their fellow […]

If exceptional accomplishment alone were enough to inspire widespread recognition, then Derek Trucks would likely have several government buildings and national monuments bearing his name. Considering his lineage alone, it would seem he was destined for great achievement. His uncle, percussionist Butch Trucks, was an original member of the Allman Brothers Band, and the younger […]

[rating=8.00] The things Bonnie Raitt does best are the things she’s done best for the past 40 years, namely expressing a soulful sinewy sound that reflects her lifelong devotion and affection for blues and R&B. And indeed, why alter the formula if it’s served you so well for so long? Granted, there’s little here that distinguishes Dig […]

[rating=7.00] Like father like son. The dual tragedies that led to the premature passing of Tim Buckley and his son/musical successor Jeff serve as sad reminders of what transpires when a star burns bright and rapidly turns to an ember all too quickly. Rummaging through the remains of a recording catalog already thought to have […]

[rating=8.00] This isn’t your daddy’s bluegrass anymore. But in the hands of the oddly named Brothers Comatose, it is just as potent. After solidifying their reputation through constant touring and two stellar previous releases, the Brothers Comatose’s latest effort City Painted Gold offers a case study in tightly tailored musicianship and the kind of close-knit […]

For a band that’s always espoused the simple joys of growing up in idyllic innocence, surrounded by surf, sand, girls, hotrods, and any other means of getting on with fun, fun, fun, the Beach Boys have shown themselves to be a controversial cast of characters. Brian Wilson, the band’s songwriter, visionary and resident genius, suffered […]

[rating=8.00] In true singer/songwriter fashion, Pete Yorn made his public debut at the famed Cafe Largo, launching pad for many a budding musical novice. Given that apprenticeship, it was little wonder that Columbia Records thought well enough of him to offer him a recording contract, and that soon after, his music found its way into […]

The death of legendary keyboard player Keith Emerson adds to the sad tally of legendary icons who have been suddenly and unexpectedly taken from us in rapid succession so early on in this already fateful year. Each death confirms the fact that an exclusive club of musical greats, particularly those who took part in the […]

[rating=7.00] The success of Wild Feathers’ 2013 self titled debut has clearly had a resonating effect on its bold and confident follow-up, the somewhat tepidly dubbed Lonely Is A Lifetime. But while the title might seem like a misnomer, the reckless jubilation and abandonment that accompanies nearly ever track on the album clearly speaks for […]

[rating=8.00] Escondido’s first album, The Ghost of Escondido, made for an auspicious entrance when they self-released it in 2013, establishing a high bar that a less talented duo might have found hard to overcome. Jessica Maros’ soaring, seductive vocals, framed by the sturdy accompaniment of partner Tyler James, suggested some darker designs hinted at in […]

[rating=7.00] After a dozen albums or so, you’d think that the Waco Brothers would have earned more respect. On the other hand, being the essential insurgents that they are, respect isn’t necessarily their highest priority. Happily then, the ironically titled Going Down In History. In finds the band still doing what they’ve always done best, that is, […]

[rating=6.00] You wouldn’t expect to find a band like BUHU hailing from Austin Texas, a place where plaintive melodies and laid-back trappings are apparent as well as implied. So to find this trio offering up their rambunctious rhythms and quirky constructs on Relationshapes seems wholly out of sync with the place they currently call home. […]

M. Ward will never be mistaken for the most outgoing guy. By his own admission, he tends to be a bit of an introvert. However, that description isn’t necessarily needed. A listen to any of the eight solo albums he’s released since kicking off his career in 1999 reveals a persona that leans on introspection, almost […]

[rating=8.00] The lesser-known cousin to the far more famous Route 66, Interstate 20 spans the southern portion of the U.S., cutting a 1,500 mile swath from Texas to South Carolina. Like the more famous highway to the north, it inspires tales of towns and travelers who have been intersected due to its routing, bringing to […]

[rating=9.00] It would be hard to imagine an album more haunting and beguiling than this fifth opus by the Minnesota-based band who refer to themselves simply as The Pines. Co-produced by Bo Ramsey, the man frequently behind the boards for Greg Brown, Above the Prairie unfolds as a series of shimmering, seductive soundscapes that effectively […]

[rating=8.00] An astute observer of intimate endeavors, Aidan Knight maintains the introspective gaze that found him making a mark with his bewitching debut, Small Reveal, in 2012. Hushed and deliberative, his sophomore set Small Reveal places the emphasis on nuance, as manifest in the low cast gaze that shrouds the album overall. Subtlety is the […]

[rating=8.00] Singer/songwriter Basia Bulat hasn’t garnered near enough notice on this side of our northern border, but it’s not because she’s not deserving. In her native Canada she’s gained significant airplay and even had her debut album, Oh My Darling, shortlisted for the prestigious Polaris Music Prize. Tall Tall Shadow, her third effort — and […]

[rating=8.00] Lik last album, Fourth Corner, 2016’s Porta Bohemica reflects the strength and confidence of a performer that possesses an extended resume. Indeed, on initial encounter, several striking forebears come to mind – Annie Lennox, Betty Levert, Aretha Franklin, and any number of other revered divas. Whitley’s doesn’t attempt to imitate those icons, but she does […]

[rating=7.00] Dr. Dog have never been an easy band to put a ready handle on. Their aggressive posture and penchant for psychedelia finds them akin to a spontaneous jam band in some regards, and has given them a populist kind of precept as well and classified them as indie insurgents overall. It’s a baffling mix […]