Album Reviews

Grayson Capps: Rott-N-Roll

Shawn Donohue November 4, 2008 No Comments

“I’m going back to the country/cause country’s what I am” Grayson Capps sure as shit is country, he is “eatin’ cornbread and raising hell” an singing about “Big Ole Woman”, but how many other good ole country boys pontificate on Oscar Wilde and Salsamaggiore, Italy? Grayson Capps has got more then a little poet in him, a whole lot of living to talk about and with the help of the Stumpknockers backing him up he explores his roots and then manages to fly above them on Rott-N-Roll.

AC/DC: Black Ice

Shane Handler November 3, 2008 No Comments

With a number one album, a Rock Band video game, and a cover of Rolling Stone magazine, 35 years later AC/DC have hit their popularity peak. Although their creativity might have peaked after 1980’s Black in Black, Black Ice, their 15th studio album proves you can rock almost as hard in your fifties as you did in your early twenties.

Backyard Tire Fire: The Places We Lived

Jeremy Lukens October 30, 2008 No Comments

On their Hyena Records debut, Backyard Tire Fire stray a bit from their roots, with more piano-based songs than rockers.

Mark Olson & Gary Louris: Ready For The Flood

Jeremy Lukens October 22, 2008 No Comments

Alt-country veterans and former Jayhawks leaders Mark Olson and Gary Louris know a thing or two about playing roots music, so it’s no surprise that their reunion is strong.

The Low Anthem: Oh My God, Charlie Darwin

Eli Scheer October 22, 2008 No Comments

This album, Oh My God, Charlie Darwin, is beautiful. The new long-play offering from Providence, RI based trio The Low Anthem explores changing times, places, love, and loss over the course of its 42 minutes.

Lucinda Williams: Little Honey

Jason Gonulsen October 21, 2008 No Comments

On Lucinda Williams’ last album, West, we were taken through misery after misery – a boatload of “what ifs” until you started to wonder if she would ever write another happy song. Of course, Williams is known for sad, angry songs, which I don’t have a problem with – it’s just so nice to hear her voice filled with joy on her latest offering, Little Honey.

Horse Feathers: House With No Home

Jeremy Lukens October 20, 2008 No Comments

With their second full-length album, Horse Feathers delivers a piece of subtle Americana that is as beautiful as it is unnerving and as soothing as it is depressing. Justin Ringle’s vocals are hushed, as if he is performing alone in his bedroom, trying not to disturb anyone.

Grateful Dead: Rocking the Cradle: Egypt 1978 (2 CD/1 DVD Set)

Doug Collette October 17, 2008 No Comments

If ever a Grateful Dead adventure deserved comprehensive documentation, it’s the 1978 trip to Egypt. Rocking the Cradle Egypt 1978 only manages to scratch the surface of the experience on some fronts, but that’s indicative of how expansive the experience actually was.