Country Mouse, City House draws on Josh Rouse's 70's vibe, and again, makes it work with Rouse’s signature vocals and steady rhythm. Melody has always king for the singer-songwriter from Nebraska, and this new effort doesn’t disappoint.
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.
Josh Ritter’s first three albums showed a talented young balladeer growing exponentially as an artist. During that time, the Moscow, Idaho native was producing stunning turns of phrase – “you look pretty good in that jonquil dress, but your smile is a wooden nickel’s pride,” for one – and viewing the modern world through an increasingly layered historical context. Then came The Animal Years.
Celebrating the 49th anniversary of Club Passim, John Prine performed a heart-felt performance at Sanders Theater, an age-old converted church that provided everyone in attendance with an environment that offered near-perfect acoustics, and cozy intimacy that set the mood just right.
He will not remain undiscovered for long. James Morrison’s debut album revamps the heyday of soul with a voice reminiscent of Stevie Wonder– but with a cleaner, crisper sound thanks to today’s technology. At a young age, this English soul singer turned to music as a way of channeling a painful upbringing – the result is a positive yet openly raw deliverance.
Eliot Morris’ debut album on Universal Records What’s Mine Is Yours, produced by Tony Berg, is one of the most underrated pop/rock albums of 2006. The Birmingham, Alabama native hit a major homerun with this album, but it is one which most people have missed out on through the year.
On Long Island Shores, Smith pervades her distinctly gentle voicing amidst soft modern country ballads and light gales of folk-pop textures.
"Here’s comes the razor of doubt, here comes the falling out,” Matthew Ryan sang on the opening track of his first album, May Day, released seven years ago. That particular song, “Guilty,” has summed up the majority of his feelings he has touched on since: living with the doubts that life deals you. Matthew Ryan isn’t a happy songwriter. He’s a human being.
On his fourth solo album, Put Your Ghost to Rest, former Miracle of 86 front man Kevin Devine has done a good job of creating an album that is listenable, somehow familiar, yet creative enough to avoid being boring.
With her latest album, Another Kind of Fire, Edie Carey has created another completely listenable, imminently catchy album. Released in September, this is the perfect album for autumn: reflective, a bit overcast (but not so much as to be depressing), and, like the gorgeous dying leaves, completely enjoyable.
