There’s an edge in Terry Klein’s voice that hovers somewhere between world-weariness and laconic all-knowingness, edging now and then into a studied nod-and-a-wink about human foibles. The title of Klein’s new album — Good Luck, Take Care — pokes a […]
Still-life paintings portray stasis, but, in Dallas Frazier’s words: “beneath still waters, there’s a strong undertow.” These paintings owe their entrancing beauty to the ambivalent tensions that crack and bubble just below their staid surface. The title track of Carson […]
They keep saying the age of the full album is nearing its end. But despite releasing two singles a month over the past year, Amanda Anne Platt knew her latest batch of songs belonged together in one place, as one […]
The last thing Swamp Dogg needs is Auto-Tune. The Dogg has enough power and bombast on his own to get him out of any vocal situation that should arise. And who really gives a damn if he’s in tune or […]
If you’re looking for a batch of solid tunes to check out this week, look no further than the debut LP from alt-country outfit Sophie and the Broken Things. Titled Delusions of Grandeur, the 10 songs offered up by singer-songwriter […]
Lost Love Songs, the new album from Olympia, Washington-based folk trio The Pine Hearts, feels intentionally unmoored from the present moment. Composed of guitarist Joey Capoccia, mandolinist Derek McSwain, and bassist Dean Shakked, the group elicited help from banjoist Lob […]
A master of full disclosure, Steve Poltz outs himself as an unrepentant entertainer on Stardust and Satellites, stuffing “Wrong Town,” the peppy leadoff track, full of memorable one-liners. Cocky and self-deprecating at once, this witty folk vet with the engaging […]
Nightroamer, the new release from Sarah Shook & The Disarmers, builds on the classic country sounds and outlaw themes of the North Carolina-based quintet’s first two albums. While Shook, who uses they/them pronouns, remains a charismatic presence, their delivery throughout […]
As Hurray for the Riff Raff, Alynda Segarra used her 2016 LP The Navigator to reclaim her Puerto Rican heritage. That was a remarkable album, seamlessly pulling together folk, punk, and Latin music to take listeners through that personal journey. […]
With their new album, Manticore, husband-and-wife duo Cary Ann Hearst and Michael Trent, aka Shovels & Rope, continue to hone their integrations of bar-room Americana, heartland rock, and a DIY sensibility. Their signature vocals, as with previous releases, remain an […]
