Reviewed by Jonathan DeWoskin

Lee Bains has a unique, unchained and unmistakable rock and roll sound. They may be billed as country, but this album is replete with a social commentary that’s almost punk. Youth Detention doesn’t sound like any other album I’ve heard, but after a quick scan around the web I found references to Lee Bains being compared to the Drive-By Truckers. I’ll let you decide if that’s fair. This Yankee had to Google “Drive-By Truckers top ten hits” to find a few DBT songs and I don’t think it’s an apt comparison.  Yeah, you read that right. Until today, I wouldn’t know a DBT song if you played one. Problem? Get off my lawn. (more…)

Reviewed by Harry Kaplan

Holy water! Holy smokes! Damn, this is good! Gethen is a singer and songwriter from Huntington, West Virginia. Gethen had quite an indoctrination to bluegrass and honkytonk from a very young age. Clearly, it stuck with him! (more…)

Reviewed by Harry Kaplan

After the 2016 blockbuster release Midwest Farmer’s Daughter, the questions naturally come up: “Was it just the case of a one-time wonder?” “Will there be a sophomore jinx?” “Can Margo Price build on something that already seems like a skyscraper?” Let me be the first (maybe second) person to say: “Margo Price delivers!!!” It is a four song EP, I know. But the quality of the songs are so daggum good, that all trends are pointing up.  (more…)

Reviewed by Harry Kaplan

Act Like You Know is New Orleans personified. Elements of blues, jazz, and old time rock and roll create something that is incredibly creative and fresh. How about this for a fun fact: this music is full of horns and the front man is named Jimmy Horn. Jimmy Horn is King James. He is worthy of a title of royalty based on this regal music. It is music worthy of kings, queens, and dukes. Also, the music of every man, woman, and child worldwide. Sometimes you have to take a step back to take two steps forward and that is what Jimmy did. He reached into the well of yesteryear to forge a new genre of music. (more…)

Reviewed by Harry Kaplan

It’s Just Craig is the self applied moniker of Craig Helmreich. Pay attention to this story, because it is a good one! Craig was at a bit of a crossroads at his life when he turned 40. Helmreich is a partner in a law firm in Indianapolis but that just wasn’t totally fulfilling Craig. He made a decision to go back and try to fulfill his dream of becoming a recording artist and performer.  (more…)

Reviewed by Harry Kaplan

One of the more unique outfits I have heard in a fortnight. This is a heavenly combination of jazz, rock, alternative, blues, and country. Let’s not forget country. Twisted Pine is deeply rooted (pun intended) in country.  (more…)

Reviewed by Harry Kaplan

This album goes from rockabilly to honky tonk and everywhere in between. Right out of the gate is the title track, Run Skeleton Run. This song is rockabilly royalty. It is more than just rockabilly. Childers uses a fiddle on this track so it is not exclusive rockabilly. But, it is an amazing song. Just because it starts off as rockabilly doesn’t mean it’s gonna stay there. In fact, it does not. David Childers covers some serious musical ground on this album. All disciplines that Childers touches on Run Skeleton Run turn to gold.  (more…)

Reviewed by Harry Kaplan

What a fantastic writer! These songs are as good as any of the “so called” hits out in the atmosphere. These songs are so well written that listening to the songs makes me shake my head in partial disbelief. Disbelief no longer. I had the opportunity to meet Mark in May at The Typical Johnsons record release party and I can say that Mark’s live performances are even more energetic than than the recordings. Mark leaves everything up on stage when he is done. One of the best performers I have seen in ages.  (more…)

Reviewed by Harry Kaplan

Minimalist Gothic outlaw country. That is how I describe Epilepsy Blues by Chris Fullerton.  Fullerton has epilepsy so this is not meant to be offensive in any way. I guess the environment is so sterile that people have to put qualifiers on everything. Even a song title. It may take a few listens to really understand the full magnitude of this album. But patience is a virtue.  (more…)

Reviewed by Harry Kaplan

I have been listening to this for a little while, but hadn’t had the time yet to write about it. I have noticed that in spite of that, I keep gravitating back to this album during my free time. That says a lot since my “leisure listening” has decreased drastically.  (more…)