xxxpost It's not like therapy, which he may have had, a 12-step program or something, can't provice a connection to effective music: Isbell's "It Gets Easier"("but never easier") is the only song I've ever heard about long-term sobriety, despite the millions of people who deal with it everyday. Lennon's "Mother" was supposedly the result of his experience with Arthur Janov's Scream Therapy (likewise, according to some writers, Tears For Fears' Songs From The Big Chair. Katie Crutchfield seems like she might have gotten some insights that way on St. Cloud---I can't quite follow some of it despite having a print-out lyrics and her track-by=track breakdown for Pitchfork, but she's got some amazing turns of phrase and the overall effect is excellent (even better with the 2021 edition's relevant bonus covers).
― dow, Wednesday, 6 September 2023 00:58 (nine months ago) link
"It gets easier, but never *easy*"! Fucking point of the whole thing, sorry.
― dow, Wednesday, 6 September 2023 01:01 (nine months ago) link
Mary Gauthier and other country lifers have had this long-term songwriting workshop with Afghanistan-Iraq Wars veterans: I saw a concert documentary in which the vets straight-up said the process had proved crucial to any peace of mind.
― dow, Wednesday, 6 September 2023 01:18 (nine months ago) link
But all these people care enough about writing well, which---yeah, xxpost "thin" is a good way to put the way American Heartbreak stretches at such length, seeking sympathy (successfully; no doubt many of his fans, especially the younger ones, are saying, "Yeah, I been there." Me too but jeez)
― dow, Wednesday, 6 September 2023 01:26 (nine months ago) link
Confession is good for the soul, let's hope.
― dow, Wednesday, 6 September 2023 01:27 (nine months ago) link
first time listening to zach bryan with the new album and i'm impressed. songs like "east side of sorrow" are closer to manchester orchestra than the stuff i hear on country radio so the emo stuff checks out
― butch wig (diamonddave85), Wednesday, 6 September 2023 23:05 (nine months ago) link
A Hot 100, country and rock first: “I Remember Everything” concurrently opens at No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs and Hot Rock & Alternative Songs charts (as well as Hot Rock Songs), which use the same methodology as the Hot 100. It’s the first song to top the Hot 100, Hot Country Songs and Hot Rock & Alternative Songs (dating to 2009, when the lattermost list began).
― curmudgeon, Monday, 11 September 2023 18:33 (nine months ago) link
That’s the Zach Bryan & Kacey Musgraves song
― curmudgeon, Monday, 11 September 2023 18:36 (nine months ago) link
No discussion on the excellent Ashley McBryde album? It makes up for last year's blah concept album even if the rawk guitars cause the strong tunes to shudder slight, as if confronted by halitosis.
― the dreaded dependent claus (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Wednesday, 13 September 2023 13:25 (nine months ago) link
I should give it a listen. This positive review on the saving country music website is a bit annoying, but he is a fan of Mcbryde
https://www.savingcountrymusic.com/album-review-ashley-mcbrydes-the-devil-i-know/
― curmudgeon, Wednesday, 13 September 2023 15:08 (nine months ago) link
and I see xgau just awarded an A.
― the dreaded dependent claus (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Wednesday, 13 September 2023 15:12 (nine months ago) link
xp they always are
― Indexed, Wednesday, 13 September 2023 15:32 (nine months ago) link
Not going to defend this dude or everything here but I also have to admit I kind of agree with a lot of it? Morris's "exit" seems like a bit of a marketing play, and the songs are still awfully country to my ears.
https://www.savingcountrymusic.com/on-the-maren-morris-exit-from-country-music/
― Indexed, Monday, 18 September 2023 21:27 (nine months ago) link
Every time he comes up on here, I can't believe it's not in the worst music writing ever thread.
Both of the Morris songs are fantastic: Her sharpest writing and best vocals on record to date.
― jon_oh, Monday, 18 September 2023 23:03 (nine months ago) link
Lol @ the savingcountrymusic writer trying to do some high-minded writerly thing about how MM has "personal issues" that she's projecting onto a perfectly healthy country music industry, when his comments section is just 100 people calling her ugly.
― The king of the demo (bernard snowy), Tuesday, 19 September 2023 10:58 (nine months ago) link
Setting SCM aside -- I am no fan of his or his writing but do check it ~1x a month to see if I've missed anything important and appreciate the light he shines on under-covered artists...
"The Tree" is a major retread. Sounds identical to many of her other songs, the allusion is heavy-handed, and the multi-tracked vocals are unnecessary for a singer of her caliber. Agree the vocals are good -- she's an extraordinarily talented vocalist. Best to date? I don't hear it.
"Get the Hell Out of Here" is much better and a promising direction for her. The song itself reminds me a lot of Kasey Musgraves (in a good way), and I'm excited to see what Antonoff and her do together -- the strings and arrangement are really lovely and a more organic sound than I have heard from her. I'm intrigued to hear what the "jam band" and "prog" moments sound like.
The bigger issue I have is how this is being rolled out. She says in the LA Times interview, "I think I needed to purposely focus on just making good music and not so much on how we’ll market it," yet that seems to be the focus of the interview! If she wants to pivot to pop, that's fine -- make great music and let it speak for itself. I don't remember Taylor's Red-era interview with the LA Times announcing she was "walking away" from country.
― Indexed, Tuesday, 19 September 2023 16:03 (nine months ago) link
Speaking of under-covered artists promoted by SCM, this new Margo Cilker record is superb.
― Indexed, Tuesday, 19 September 2023 16:04 (nine months ago) link
Boy, I shouldn't have read a few of those SCM comments before lunch.
― hat trick of trashiness (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Tuesday, 19 September 2023 16:11 (nine months ago) link
Solid profile: https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/margo-cilker-new-album-interview-1234820795/
― hat trick of trashiness (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Tuesday, 19 September 2023 16:13 (nine months ago) link
Can't read it (paywall) but really like Bernstein's writing, and he has never steered me wrong.
― Indexed, Tuesday, 19 September 2023 16:43 (nine months ago) link
lol another Margo, another M.
― Josh in Chicago, Tuesday, 19 September 2023 17:01 (nine months ago) link
From that profile detailing Margo Cilker history:
She traveled back and forth from northern Spain for a period of several years, at one point forming a Lucinda Williams tribute band called Drunken Angels in the Basque country city of Bilbao.
― curmudgeon, Tuesday, 19 September 2023 20:29 (nine months ago) link
Really enjoying the Margo Cilker album too.
Anyone heard the new Lillie Mae? I liked her first two albums a lot.
― sctttnnnt (pgwp), Wednesday, 20 September 2023 05:26 (nine months ago) link
Me too. Margo Cilker is the best musician name I've heard lately, will check her out---not that I'm prejudiced against names like Casadee Pope, or even the self-named Honey Harper,who is now more than ever a dyad, as ATO Records heralds:
with Honey Harper co-founder and keyboardist Alana Pagnutti taking on a far greater role in the songwriting process alongside frontman William Fussell, adding a palpable new depth to their lyrical output.
The 12 song collection (Honey Harper and The Infinite Sky) also marks their first time recording with their stacked band, The Infinite Sky, featuring their longtime bassist and contributing writer Mick Mayer, pianist John Carroll Kirby (Solange, Steve Lacy), Spoon keyboardist Alex Fischel, guitarist Jackson MacIntosh (Drugdealer, Jessica Pratt), pedal-steel player Connor Gallaher (Black Lips, Calexico), and TOPS drummer Riley Fleck. The album was mixed at Wowcat Studios in Los Angeles by Joel Ford (yes/and, Ford & Lopatin).
― dow, Friday, 22 September 2023 22:27 (nine months ago) link
How is the Buddy and Julie Miller record?
― Josh in Chicago, Friday, 22 September 2023 22:32 (nine months ago) link
Oh wow, you're remynding me of my old CD store regular who heard Julie as the late 20th Century Emily Dickinson---
― dow, Friday, 22 September 2023 22:51 (nine months ago) link
Maybe she *is* the latter-day Emily Dickinson! Now's the time to listen more than I ever have, though that isn't saying much in itself.
― dow, Friday, 22 September 2023 23:04 (nine months ago) link
Margo Cilker album sounds great
how do you pronounce the name?
― corrs unplugged, Monday, 25 September 2023 11:19 (nine months ago) link
Adjacent news from New West Records: the NMAS albums that I've heard tend to be weak in the vocals, when they don't feature just the right guests---looks like it might not be a problem here, at least not all the way through:
Luther Dickinson of North Mississippi Allstars will release his new solo album, Magic Music For Family Folk on November 17. An all-star list of support showed up for the new record, including Yola, Allison Russell, Lillie Mae, Sharde Thomas, Sharisse Norman, as well as Dickinson’s Mother and Children. The album features Dickinson’s rendition of favorite songs from his childhood by The Meters, Staple Singers, John Lee Hooker, Mississippi John Hurt, Doc Watson and more. Dickinson delivers an album of songs from his community that run four generations deep. The 10-time GRAMMY Award-nominated producer, solo artist, and North Mississippi Allstars co-founder creates a record worthy of its own traditions.
The album features Dickinson’s rendition of favorite songs from his childhood by The Meters, Staple Singers, John Lee Hooker, Mississippi John Hurt, Doc Watson and more.
Dickinson delivers an album of songs from his community that run four generations deep. The 10-time GRAMMY Award-nominated producer, solo artist, and North Mississippi Allstars co-founder creates a record worthy of its own traditions.
― dow, Wednesday, 27 September 2023 02:24 (nine months ago) link
A couple albums I've gone back to throughout the year that I haven't yet repped for -- neither will light your hair on fire but are rather lovely and worth a listen:
Amanda Fields - What, When and Without. Slow burning, patient country waltz that has a quiet beauty to it. Her singing is serviceable and familiar.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=13QOo3hpxJ4
Rachel Baiman - Common Nation of Sorrow. Rootsy Americana in the vein of Gillian Welch, impressively self-produced albeit with a strong supporting cast (Erin Rae, Miles Miller, Sean Sullivan). Chttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S7vOHRHvY4U
― Indexed, Wednesday, 27 September 2023 14:52 (nine months ago) link
I don't know anything about country music but this guy is cool & he has a new live album out
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dU_qVO-aTTA
― StanM, Saturday, 30 September 2023 18:18 (nine months ago) link
he's bigger than ya think if you haven't seen him live, and getting bigger fast.
his shows are a blast.
― alpine static, Sunday, 1 October 2023 04:36 (nine months ago) link
I have friends who are only into Real Country who are into that guy so I've kinda held it against him and ignored him but I probably shouldn't huh
― Murgatroid, Sunday, 1 October 2023 06:44 (nine months ago) link
Never listened to this dude before but this a good record
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S58avwJXG5M
― Indexed, Tuesday, 3 October 2023 15:01 (eight months ago) link
late to the Morgan Wade party but goddamn i am all the way on board! she brings a real Joan Jett vibe w her raspy voice & attitude, such good songwriting too. we just watched her set on ACL Fest & she killed it. great band too.
― werewolves of laudanum (VegemiteGrrl), Sunday, 8 October 2023 22:17 (eight months ago) link
circling back to our Zach Bryan Is Popular discussion:
"See all new tour dates below, which include second stadium shows added in Atlanta, Denver, & Foxborough."
― alpine static, Monday, 9 October 2023 19:16 (eight months ago) link
Morgan'sReckless Deluxe is a raspy rehab-to-romance-to-rolling country way of life, candles and tattoos and all: "Ah spoke mah truth, and yew got so upset," but so be it, it's a start.
― dow, Tuesday, 10 October 2023 00:19 (eight months ago) link
apparently she’s embroiled in some irl Real Housewives tabloid drama now so uh good luck girl
― werewolves of laudanum (VegemiteGrrl), Tuesday, 10 October 2023 01:52 (eight months ago) link
I had no idea Wade had a new album out! Also, she's apparently getting a double mastectomy after learning she has that genetic mutation, so probably no live dates for a while.
― Josh in Chicago, Tuesday, 10 October 2023 02:47 (eight months ago) link
O shit!Be sure to get the Deluxe: bonus tracks are totally justified, and she may need the extra bucks more than ever.
― dow, Tuesday, 10 October 2023 03:04 (eight months ago) link
oh man yeah, buying up the Deluxe for sure
― werewolves of laudanum (VegemiteGrrl), Tuesday, 10 October 2023 03:05 (eight months ago) link
(I didn't know about the new one either, still talking about Reckless Deluxe, from Jan. '22.)
― dow, Tuesday, 10 October 2023 03:06 (eight months ago) link
Great to know there's a new one too.
Psychopath:Meet Somebody3:2027 Club3:44Alanis4:27Want3:33Psychopath3:29Phantom Feelings3:53Outrun Me3:47Guns and Roses
― dow, Tuesday, 10 October 2023 03:12 (eight months ago) link
Hopefully there are more tracks but computer's going out and can't shake this coughing fit
― dow, Tuesday, 10 October 2023 03:14 (eight months ago) link
Maybe your computer has covid.
Psychopath tracklist:
1. “Domino”2. “80’s Movie”3. “Losers Look Like Me”4. “Roman Candle”5. “Guns and Roses”6. “Alanis”7. “Phantom Feelings”8. “Psychopath”9. “Outrun Me”10. “Want”11. “Fall In Love With Me”12. “Meet Somebody”13. “27 Club”
― Josh in Chicago, Tuesday, 10 October 2023 13:14 (eight months ago) link
Had not heard about the new Laura Cantrell album
https://lauracantrell.bandcamp.com/album/just-like-a-rose-the-anniversary-sessions
After a 9-year hiatus, Laura Cantrell is back with a new studio album. Featuring her guests, Steve Earle, Buddy Miller, and Paul Burch. It was produced by Don Fleming (Sonic Youth, Teenage Fanclub), David Mansfield (Bob Dylan, T-Bone Burnett), Rosie Flores & Ed Stasium (Talking Heads, Ramones).
― Indexed, Tuesday, 17 October 2023 20:42 (eight months ago) link
From New West---his originals are purty traditional, in that smokey Canadian Cowboy way, & can be appealing, though haven't heard this one yet:
Corb LundOur favorite Canadian songwriter is back with a full album of new original tracks. El Viejo will be released February 23 of next year. Check out the first video single, "Old Familiar Drunken Feeling" via Holler. The 11 tracks on the album were produced by Corb, and recorded entirely in his living room in Lethbridge, AB with his band The Hurtin’ Albertans. Lund & Co. tapped into his most cherished musical influences of acoustic tone and lyrical aptitude — Marty Robbins, Kris Kristofferson, Bobbie Gentry, Jerry Reed. There is a common theme — possibly even a character thread — of the gambler, the outlaw who roams from place-to-place with no direction home.El Viejo is Lund’s first album of original material since 2020’s critically acclaimed Agricultural Tragic, which was named an album of the year by the readers of No Depression.
The 11 tracks on the album were produced by Corb, and recorded entirely in his living room in Lethbridge, AB with his band The Hurtin’ Albertans. Lund & Co. tapped into his most cherished musical influences of acoustic tone and lyrical aptitude — Marty Robbins, Kris Kristofferson, Bobbie Gentry, Jerry Reed. There is a common theme — possibly even a character thread — of the gambler, the outlaw who roams from place-to-place with no direction home.
El Viejo is Lund’s first album of original material since 2020’s critically acclaimed Agricultural Tragic, which was named an album of the year by the readers of No Depression.
― dow, Wednesday, 18 October 2023 23:55 (eight months ago) link
xxpost had not heard about the new Cantrell either, thanks. I favored this one for Scene ballot re 2014 (when she ended a previous 9-year hiatus):
Laura Cantrell, No Way There From Here:Pretty and spooky without being Southern Gothic, the current Cantrell vibe is "that's just how it is," cos love & music will only take you so far, no matter through what and for what (while incl. "Turn Down For What," cos this music's into pleasure too). Sounds like she knows she's on a roll, so why stop now, pick up some more sorrow and happiness on the way. Also sounds like she might be mildly surprised that I'm surprised at her unpretentious mastery and ambition (no dis on Brandy Clark, but those who think she's the best should hear the way Cantrell does less-is-more, vocally: "I'm gonna get these ol' clothes clean, do you know what I mean?")Also, despite the shifting songwriting credits (which I haven't checked), it's seamless, without being too smooth. A touch of the old Hoboken denim lilt in there too, so one for us bravely ageing & still appealing Amy Rigby fans (first track even has a dBs feel).
― dow, Thursday, 19 October 2023 00:34 (eight months ago) link
i saw Corb live over the summer and he was amazing
― alpine static, Thursday, 19 October 2023 01:40 (eight months ago) link