Posts by Maeri Ferguson

[rating=9.00] Joe Fletcher’s come a long way since his last record, literally. He relocated from home state Rhode Island to Nashville, and he’s been on the road touring almost nonstop. His new record, You’ve Got the Wrong Man, is a kind of cataloguing of those experiences with its gritty Americana vibe. Blues guitar shows up […]

[rating=9.00] “You can call me a madman/But I’m spoken for”, sings Sean Rowe on the title track of his latest record Madman, and immediately we are pulled in by that deep, stirring voice that’s unlike anything else. Folk mastermind Rowe is an artist that continues to surprise and intrigue listeners with every new record, and […]

Justin Townes Earle has gone through some changes over the last couple of years, and when he played to a packed room at Stage 48 in NYC on September 9th, he didn’t seem totally in his element. He mentioned right off the bat that he was playing with a new band these days, and though […]

A band like Rubblebucket attracts an interesting crowd. At their record release party at Rough Trade in Brooklyn on August 27th, a massive crowd filled the room to help them celebrate. Their third full-length album Survival Sounds is a warm mix of bodacious horns, Annakalmia Traver’s emotional howl, and a softer sound than what came […]

[rating=9.00] M.C. Taylor, better known as Hiss Golden Messenger, is one to watch. On his follow up to last year’s incredibly sparse and haunting Bad Debt, he’s lightened his load a bit to radiant results. Lateness of Dancers finds Taylor embracing a more sun-drenched country sound than we’re used to from him. Inspired by the […]

[rating=6.00] The fourth studio album from Delta Spirit is a lush, epic foray into arena-ready rock, more so than anything they’ve done before. Into the Wide, as it’s so aptly titled, feels grand and big, like it’s ready to move mountains. They’ve always had a knack for creating pop rock head bangers, but on Wide […]

[rating=9.00] Ryan Adams is something of a deity to many fans who’ve been following him from the start. And even those fans that may have fallen by the wayside over the years probably still count his 2000 debut solo album Heartbreaker as one of their top ten favorite records of all time. He’s probably tired […]

[rating=7.00] Up until now, Justin Townes Earle has played the role of lothario lush so well, writing songs about his drinking and womanizing habits so poignantly. But his latest record Single Mothers seems to be ushering in a new phase in his life—a more grownup one, for sure. A little bluesier than anything he’s done […]

[rating=9.00] The young Caroline Rose has come a long way. Her independently produced and Kickstarter-funded record America Religious caught many ears upon its release last year, and now she’s out with her first studio album I Will Not Be Afraid, a tour de force of Americana roots and folk music that leaves a mark. Along […]

[rating=6.00] For many of us, Imogen Heap came into our lives a decade ago like a force when we heard Frou Frou’s “Let Go” at the end of Garden State. But now, after three solo albums, Heap returns with her fourth, Sparks. In a special deluxe release that includes both instrumental versions of all songs, […]

[rating=6.00] As the dog days of summer are upon us, it’s prime time for looking back at sundrenched afternoons, early evening bike rides and humid mornings. And there’s no better soundtrack to do just that than the debut LP Feel Not Bad from Arkansas band SW/MM/NG (pronounced “swimming”). It’s a dreamy pop soundscape to accompany […]

[rating=7.00] Shovels and Rope have quickly garnered attention for their classic country sound, and their latest record Swimmin’ Time will likely continue to build their quickly growing fan base. The Charleston, South Carolina-based husband and wife duo of Michael Trent and Cary Ann Hearst go together like salt and pepper when it comes to their […]

Though she isn’t physically there, Frankie Rose leaves her mark when Brooklyn band Beverly plays live. The ex-Vivian Girls and ex-Dum Dum Girls drummer along with singer and guitarist Drew Citron put out their debut record Careers in July as Beverly, a rock outfit that harkens back to nineties garage rock and girl group grunge. […]

[rating=9.00] There comes a time in life when you’re a ways into adulthood, and it finally sinks in that the carefree days of your twenties are behind you. Colorado-based band Ark Life has captured this so poignantly on their debut record The Dream of You and Me. Led by These United States’ Jesse Elliot, Ark […]

[rating=5.00] In theory, everything about Puss N Boots should be appealing. A trio of women made up of powerhouse songstress Norah Jones with Sasha Dobson and Catherine Popper singing twangy folk songs, both originals and covers from the likes of Rodney Crowell and Neil Young. But on their debut record No Fools, No Fun, more […]

[rating=5.00] Whenever an actor attempts to cross over and make music, it’s always smart to manage expectations accordingly, but approach with an open mind. Got a Girl is the project of indie actress Mary Elizabeth Winstead and talented producer and musician Dan Nakamura, and their debut together is cheekily titled I Love You But I […]

[rating=7.00] In the ever-expanding genre of dream folk, Duluth, Minnesota natives Trampled by Turtles are continuing to make a name for themselves. On their latest record Wild Animals, their sound is airier and more atmospheric than ever, and they also seem to have honed their instrumental skills, creating lush waves of strings that complement the […]

[rating=6.00] You can’t fake family, and Ohio brothers Zachary and Andrew Gabbard are proof. Their band Buffalo Killers’ latest record Heavy Reverie is a study in the nuances of familiarity and kin, with an authenticity that’s like flipping through an old photo album. Reverie plays like an old 70s record, with Americana themes and straight […]

On the final day of Newport Folk Festival, there seemed to be a fast forming nostalgia for the weekend, even as it was still happening. The crowds were still hungry for music, though, despite the constant threat of thunderstorms surrounding us on all sides of Fort Adams. With reminders to seek shelter if needed every […]

Newport Folk Festival day two saw seemingly larger crowds of people, drawn to Fort Adams’ perfect breeze coming off the bay and the allure of endless music. Amidst heaping lobster rolls (so good, Ryan Adams even improvised a song about them on Friday) and stuffed to the rim frozen lemonades, folk acts serenaded and rockers […]