Posts by Maeri Ferguson

[rating=9.00] If you take Pink Floyd, stick them down south and add just the right amount of grit and dirt, you’ll have the killer Austin band the Bright Light Social Hour. A Southern psych rock aesthetic runs through the veins of their new record Space is Still the Place. It’s trippy, but not meandering, and […]

[rating=9.00] When Stone Jack Jones came on the scene ever so quietly in 2014 with his dark, brooding debut Ancestor, it was impactful. Those who paid attention were blown away by his steely, sepia-tinged growl and haunting lullabies. And those who caught him on tour were even more affected, and perhaps a bit perplexed that […]

[rating=8.00] Elliott Smith was known to most as a kind of tortured genius. His demons overcame him far too young, but the music he made has always lived on, even garnering new life after his death. His songs are quiet and contained, but full of silent rage and gut-wrenching sadness. But they are beautiful and […]

[rating=8.00] Disassociating Will Butler with Arcade Fire is the first step to setting expectations for his solo record Policy, a killer, energetic retro rock and roll treat. Policy sets Butler apart from that crowd in the best way, showing off his crystal clear voice and dark songwriting chops. An alternative mix of instrumentals that set […]

[rating=8.00] Gill Landry is on a roll, making music with Old Crow Medicine Show and now releasing his third full-length solo record. The self-titled release finds the multi-talented singer, songwriter and instrumentalist in a state of calm, creating stripped down Americana roots music. Landry’s voice is deep and steady, and makes for truly clean and […]

[rating=9.00] Andrew Combs is a dynamite artist who just keeps getting better and better. On his second full-length record All These Dreams, a follow up to 2012’s Worried Man, he’s still evolving, this time taking on a more pop-country identity. Have no fear, though, if that isn’t your thing. Combs still sounds like he could […]

[rating=9.00 Labeling Diamond Rugs a “supergroup” is almost too small a concept to hold the explosiveness of what they create together. Though each part of the whole came from an established outfit, as a band they are so cohesive you can easily separate them from anything that came before or co-exists. On their second record […]

[rating=9.00] The bombastic new record from The King Khan and BBQ Show is a thrilling blast, and will definitely make you realize how much you missed this whacky, dynamic duo. Canadian punk rockers with a deep appreciation for vintage soul, garage rock and doo-wop, King Khan and BBQ (Mark Sultan) have been making music together […]

[rating=9.00] If you’re familiar with Water Liars, than you know the sheer power of their gorgeous vocal harmonies. And one of those voices is the supremely talented songwriter and musician Andrew Bryant. Bryant’s planted his roots in Mississippi, where the landscape and lifestyle clearly influence his sound. As the drummer for Water Liars, he is […]

[rating=8.00] Thanks to the new record from Phosphorescent, you can experience his live show from the comfort of your own home. Live at the Music Hall was recorded over four sold out nights at the Music Hall of Williamsburg in Brooklyn, NY in December 2013, following the release of his last record, Muchacho. 19 tracks […]

[rating=8.00] 2015 is shaping up to be a pretty big year for Steve Earle, with both a forthcoming memoir and his new record Terraplane, recorded with frequent collaborators The Dukes. Terraplane is an almost full-on foray into the blues, an area in which we know Earle is comfortable, but which we haven’t seen him delve […]

[rating=10.00] To those who have not yet jumped on the high-speed train that JD McPherson is driving, don’t waste one more minute. We were pretty certain he was a force to be reckoned with after 2012’s Signs and Signifiers, but with his new record Let the Good Times Roll, there’s no question. A modern soul […]

[rating=7.00] The Packway Handle Band got much more than they bargained for when they asked beloved blues singer-songwriter Jim White to produce their new record. What began as a simple request turned into more than just your average collaboration, with White joining the band and adding his own songs, too, for Take it Like a […]

[rating=9.00] Indiana-bred band Murder By Death is the epitome of alternative rock, in the sense that they never stop evolving and playing with alternative sounds. Their new record Big Dark Love is both big and dark, and finds the band exploring everything from country rock to folk rock, pop rock, punk rock, classic rock, Southern […]

[rating=7.00] Polished and clean vocals and instrumentals are what you’ll find on the new record from folksy darlings Run Boy Run. Something to Someone is light and sweet, but that doesn’t mean it’s lacking in depth or certainty. Made up of brother and sister Matt and Grace Rolland, sisters Bekah Sandoval Rolland and Jen Sandoval, […]

Israel Nash’s 2014 record Rain Plans was one of the best releases of 2014. It’s a kind of electric mash up of Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, and Neil Young, with gritty, Southern roots. Nash himself, all in black with a tangle of blonde hair and weathered cowboy boots, is a convincing Texas rock star. He […]

The first time I saw Clear Plastic Masks live, I remember thinking, “It’s only a matter of a time before these guys hit it big.” They’ve got the soulful swagger of Alabama Shakes and the cool-kid attitude of the Black Lips. And their stage presence is so naturally electric. They can put on a hell […]

[rating=4.00] Imagine, for a second, being an artist overflowing with things to say. As a creator, it sounds like a dream, but as a listener, it can muddy things up a bit. This is the case with Justin Townes Earle’s new record Absent Fathers, the quick follow up and counterpart to September’s Single Mothers. Earle’s […]

[rating=9.00] To put it simply, if you’re fan of classic outlaw country, you’ll really dig Whitey Morgan and the 78’s. Their new record Born, Raised and Live from Flint is pure honkytonk goodness, with lap steel that’ll run circles around you and harmonica that sounds like it’s leaving flames in its wake. Recorded live in […]

[rating=3.00] When Zooey Deschanel paired up with beloved indie musician M. Ward to create She & Him nearly six years ago, it was easy to get on board. Their sound was sweet with a throwback simplicity, and songs like “Sweet Darlin’” and “Ridin’ in My Car” were deliciously fun. But things have changed with their […]