Robyn Chalklen and Chris Parkinson are the core duo of The Yearlings and this, their fifth album, finds them at the top of their game. All The Wandering is the kind of album that fires melancholic shots straight to your heart. With weeping pedal steel courtesy of Lost Ragas’ Shane Reilly alongside a raft of … Continue reading
In the world of alt-country there are those artists who stick to traditional storytelling, instrumentation and playing, mixing that hybrid of country, rock and folk, often with stunning results from tried and tested ingredients. Others, like The Felice Brothers, are prepared to test out new musical waters, evolve and expand their sound. From their early … Continue reading
The last few years has seen Little Bastard gain a reputation as one hell of a live band, the septet causing raucous, drunken partying with their punk-spirited folk and bluegrass. Now they’ve finally stepped off the road to try and bottle some of that stage magic on their debut album. The good news is … Continue reading
Folk music comes in many styles and levels of intensity from brisk strumming and foot stomping to plaintiff torch song but it’s alway at its best when stripped back to its essence – words and accompanying raw instrumentation. On her debut album Lyttleton’s Aldous Harding (Hannah Harding) has a direct line to the heart and … Continue reading
Jenny Queen is an Ohio native, based in Sydney, who sits on the stylistic fence on her third album. Her sound is firmly in a pop country vein that wouldn’t be out of place on the soundtrack to the TV series Nashville yet there is a constant undercurrent of mild emotional turbulence and the sense … Continue reading
Jolie Holland has always operated outside the conventional restraints of folk, jazz and country music. She’s dabbled in and blended those styles and more but on Wine Dark Sea she throws them all in the air, managing to juggle and reconnect them (and others) in thrillingly madcap, visceral, primal and intellectual combinations. Instruments rattle, grate … Continue reading
Hollie Fullbrook’s debut album and other releases as Tiny Ruins have been critically lauded, as have her many live shows over the last few years. Brightly Painted One, her long overdue follow-up to Some Were Meant For Sea continues the exceptional journey of this New Zealand singer/songwriter whose reputation is now one that spans continents. … Continue reading
The Irish folk singer returns with a new album of songs that are noteworthy for both their skeletal, laid-bare arrangements and the instrumentation provided by The Phil Ware Trio – Phil on piano, Dave Redmond on double bass, Kevin Brady on drums. Comprised of a number of covers and a couple of Bloom originals this … Continue reading
Rodney Crowell must have decided to strike while the iron was hot by releasing Tarpaper Sky barely a year after his award-winning album with Emmylou Harris came out. That decision was a great one as the new album is a consummate collection of Americana songs, richly detailed, effortless and timeless. ‘God I’m Missing You’ is … Continue reading
Tami Neilson has long established herself as one of the finest local progenitors of Americana music since relocating from her native Canada to New Zealand. She’s scored numerous awards and critical praise and Dynamite! continues her magical run with her finest collection of songs to date, both in their spirited performance and superb songwriting. Clocking … Continue reading
There’s an interesting back story to Alynda Lee Segarra, the 26 year old songwriter behind the rather non-Americana nom de plume. She ditched home at 17, travelled the USA by thumb and jumping trains before settling in New Orleans, focusing on music and discovering her own style with quite breathtaking results. Her voice is the … Continue reading
Sydneysiders doing Mexicali folk music? On the surface that may sound like a genre exercise but Dusty Ravens prove themselves to be dealers in the authentic, mixing up styles and mood just enough to let a subtle Australiana sound filter through the mariachi flavours, as they do on the Richmond Fontaine meets Paul Kelly vibe … Continue reading
Simone Felice returns with a new solo album that includes contributions from his kin The Felice Brothers and Wesley Schultz and Jeremiah Fraites of The Lumineers. It finds him sounding more relaxed, mature and carefree than ever before and at under 40 minutes it’s a masterclass in economical, emotive and melodic songwriting. It harnesses the … Continue reading
Ex-The Delivery guitarist Dave Favours has stepped out on his lonesome with an assured and accomplished debut album that pays respect to some of his influences amid well-crafted originals. The Saints, Ramones and The Rolling Stones (Loving Cup) get the Favours treatment yet his own songs like the rowdy and rockabilly-leaning single Linda Marie and … Continue reading
Robert Ellis’ 2011 album Photographs caught many an ear with its efficient and emotive songwriting and guitar playing and gave him an international audience. The Lights From The Chemical Plant finds Ellis expanding his repertoire, stepping outside of the restraints of pure Americana to embrace pop elements, diverse country influences and lush production while still … Continue reading
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