DRIVE-BY TRUCKERS WELCOME 2 CLUB XIII ATO RECORDS After a run of albums that painted a perceptive picture of modern America and the ramifications of its recent political history, Drive-By Truckers switch the focus to their own formative years as young men seeking adventure and taking tentative steps towards rock ‘n’ roll dreams. Club XIII … Continue reading
Category Archives: Album Artwork
ALBUM REVIEW: Kurt Vile – (watch my moves)
KURT VILE (watch my moves) VERVE RECORDS / VIRGIN MUSIC AUSTRALIA Kurt Vile, the one man slacker psych jam band from Philly is back with a new collection of songs that wander, hypnotise, amuse and sometimes meander on album number nine. Vile has long figured out his optimal recipe and here he doesn’t stray from … Continue reading
1970 Creedence Clearwater Revival live concert set for release
For decades, rumors have circulated among Creedence Clearwater Revival’s fans about a long-lost recording of their legendary 1970 show at London’s Royal Albert Hall. Now, Craft Recordings have announced that the rumours are, indeed, true. Available for pre-order today in multiple formats, the long-awaited Creedence Clearwater Revival at the Royal Albert Hall presents the concert in its entirety and finds CCR … Continue reading
ALBUM REVIEW: Arlo McKinley – This Mess We’re In
ARLO MCKINLEY THIS MESS WE’RE IN OH BOY RECORDS This is Arlo McKinley’s third album but it was his last one, Die Midwestern that really elevated him into the pantheon of great contemporary country and folk songwriters. The good news is that he’s followed that superb album with another absolute gem. This Mess We’re In … Continue reading
ALBUM REVIEW: Ian Noe – River Fools & Mountain Saints
IAN NOE RIVER FOOLS & MOUNTAIN SAINTS THIRTY TIGERS / COOKING VINYL AUSTRALIA Ian Noe’s debut of 2019 was one of those albums hit the radar of music enthusiasts and spread organically like wildfire. Richly imbued with the spirit and craft of folk and country songwriting it marked the arrival of a new and exciting … Continue reading
ALBUM REVIEW: Tami Neilson – Kingmaker
TAMI NEILSON KINGMAKER MGM Tami Neilson’s career trajectory continues its impressive ascent as she emerges from the pandemic with an album that both celebrates women and challenges their treatment and role in society, particularly in the music industry. Neilson further explores her openminded approach to country music, whether it’s the Bobby Gentry-styled Southern noir and … Continue reading
ALBUM REVIEW: Calexico – El Mirador
CALEXICO EL MIRADOR SPUNK! RECORDS El Mirador is the name of a lost Mayan city but in the context of Calexico’s 10th studio album it stands both as a lookout point and a beacon in the dark. Core members Joey Burns and John Convertino have been finessing their rhythmic and melodic interplay for 30 years … Continue reading
ALBUM REVIEW: Orville Peck – Bronco
ORVILLE PECK BRONCO COLUMBIA / SONY MUSIC From the heralded release of his debut album Pony in 2019, through a pandemic, fashion shoots and onto a major label deal with Columbia, Orville Peck’s ascent has been a meteoric one. He’s skilfully navigated the worlds of Americana, country and pop to create a unique modern day … Continue reading
ALBUM REVIEW: Andy Golledge – Strength Of A Queen
ANDY GOLLEDGE STRENGTH OF A QUEEN I OH YOU If you’re looking for an early contender for Australian Americana album of the year then you’re reading the right review. Andy Golledge has been a mainstay of the local scene in Sydney for at least half a dozen years now. He’s a lynchpin of sorts with … Continue reading
A DELIGHT OF FINGERPICKED GUITAR AND GENTLE HORNS FROM AARON FISHER AND ROB STEPHENSON
From my internet travels I haven’t been able to find out much about this New York duo but this track, ‘Merino Ghost‘, from Aaron Fisher and Rob Stephenson’s 2022 album Sightseeing, absolutely caught my ear and pulled me in deep with its dreamy, evocative soundscape. They navigate a beautiful space between American Primitive guitar stylings … Continue reading
ALBUM REVIEW: Sin City – Welcome To Sin City
Check out the cover artwork for New Zealand duo Sin City’s debut album and you might be expecting a laidback Gram Parsons-styled cosmic country album, and there are elements of that, but at it’s core this is a rousing, loose-limbed blend of rock ’n’ roll, soul and country. From bar room brawls to late night … Continue reading
BILLY BRONSTED’S SPIRITED SOUL, BLUES AND COSMIC COUNTRY JAMS CUT TO THE HEART
Today we’re featuring two tracks from Billy Bronsted‘s new 2022 album Rhythm, Racket & Romance, recorded with his band The Loot. Bronsted hails from Wisconsin and the new album follows his 2017 release This Bed Of Mine. ‘Ain’t Lying’ (I Love You)‘ digs into the age old subject of love and realisation, as Bronsted explains, … Continue reading
LUCY ROLEFF & LEHMANN B. SMITH RELEASE EXQUISITE NEW FOLK COLLABORATION
There’s a pastoral elegance to ‘In The Doorway‘, the new single from Lucy Roleff & Lehmann B. Smith and the first taste of their collaborative full-length album Dark Green which will be released June 16th via the Youngbloods label. There’s a certain element of delicate yet self-assured, wistful poise that permeates the song as it’s carried … Continue reading
INTERVIEW: The Creative Flow of River Dreams
For River Dreams’ debut album Small Paintings, the pandemic served as the impetus, rather than a deterrent, for recording sessions to take place. Sydney musician and songwriter Carl Manwarring had been playing around the city’s Inner West bars, pubs and bowling clubs under his own name for a number of years, following an initial foray … Continue reading
INTERVIEW: YOU REAP WHAT YOU SOW – THE WEEPING WILLOWS ON THEIR NEW ALBUM
Over the last decade, across a trio of albums, an EP and countless shows around Australia and North America, The Weeping Willows have slowly but surely built a loyal audience and critical acclaim, From their formation as a side project to Lachlan Bryan & The Wildes, there was initially little ambition and certainly no long … Continue reading