Newbies may find Live at the Murat a difficult entrée to the band, but Umphrey’s fans should be satisfied with a well-produced if uneven collection.
The title of Josh Ritter’s new album (The Historical Conquests of Josh Ritter) is the first indication that the acclaimed folk-singer from Idaho might not be taking himself so seriously.
Mountain's latest release, Masters of War is a Bob Dylan tribute album with original mountaineers West and Laing, Ritchie Scarlett, Brian Mitchell, Kenny Aronson and Todd Wolfe. The CD arrives with uncanny timeliness – in the same way Dylan used his songmenship to protest against the Vietnam War,
Like a good book, Kill to Get Crimson needs some time to get comfortable with, but it’s worth the effort.
The sound on Faces in the Rocks seems to have sprouted effortlessly from a mountain spring or twisting root, nature is imbedded in every note and vocal flutter from Mariee Sioux on her first release.
Singer-songwriter Fionn Regan has a sweet, sincere style that isn’t overtly British folk but has just enough of that emotional feel on The End of History from the tender opener “Be Good Or Be Gone” to the playful finger-picking of “The Underwood Typewriter.”
Robert Pollard put Guided By Voices to pasture years ago, but the proficiency keeps on going with bands including Circus Devils.
Desperation and salvation often have a parallel existence as evidenced by the role of religion in in the worst of times. Perhaps it is the hope of a better life to come, that light at the end of the tunnel, that allows people to hold on in these dire times. More likely it seems, in this band's view, it is the resolve of faith more than any real optimism. Frontier Folk Nebraska mixes Dust Bowl desperation with Bible Belt religion for an album that chronicles the struggle of faith in trying times.
This Danish duo Junior Senior creates a pop nightmare on Hey Hey My My Yo Yo incorporating enough sugary disco revival to make Scissor Sisters sound like Christian rock. Hard to believe this effort was partly recorded at Muscle Shoals Studios, as the only soul on it is the soul searching you’ll do if you listen to it more than once.
Ticklah vs. Axelrod may not break any new ground, but it’s a solid addition to any dub collection and will certainly be of interest to Antibalas and reggae fans.
