Reviewed by Harry Kaplan

This LA outfit plays some loud, garage roots rook reminiscent of the early Black Keys. Take Me At My Word opens this EP off with a bang. Some very earthy, Thickfreakness, style dirty blues that makes you shake your head to and fro. Even if you don’t want to shake your head, it is mandatory. After about 20 seconds of filthy, bluesy guitar, bass, and drums, the gritty, smoky vocals commence. This song could be a classic, it has all the elements.

The Americans prove their versatility by moving from dirty blues to Americana on Gospel Roads. This song showcases The American’s ability to excel at their instruments and really gel as a cohesive unit. Gospel Roads also features some very fine picking. Prison Yard Walk goes back to dirty, gritty, and swampy blues. A very nice little ditty that is a little bit loud coupled with some heavy blues chords laid over top. These fellas know their way around the blues fo sho.

Foreign Land seems to be a little more on the country side and a little less bluesy, but still a strong contender. The song title has different meaning today, one day after Trump won the presidency. Jim is the closer on this EP which continues down the country road. This EP really demonstrates the band’s ability to move flawlessly through different styles of music and package them together nicely in one pretty box. Not a huge sample size as far as material, but so far, so good.

Listen to and buy First Recordings 

The Americans on KEXP 

Reviewed by Harry Kaplan

Honky tonk to the nines. Grelle (pronounced Grell-ee) hails from St. Louis, Mo. I never considered San Louie a bastion of country music. I may have to rethink that. Grelle is 100% country and I would have sworn he was from the swamps of Louisiana or the planes of West Texas, but no. It led me to an epiphany, it doesn’t matter where he is from cuz he got the feelin’. He can twang it up with the best of them. Pure unadulterated 70’s style country music.

This album touches all the country genres from classic, Tex-Mex, swamp rock, Cajun, and of course some honky tonk. Grelle can go from the slow crooning ballads such as Set On Me and Not Takin’ After Me to some nice up tempo numbers like Heart’s For Mine, Got Dressed Up To Be Let Down, and Hilltop Of Sand.

One of the most poignant songs on the album is Birthday Cards, which is about Grelle’s grandmother who passed away. “In all my birthday cards, grandma’s portraits were there”, sings Grelle as he happily sings about nice memories of his departed grandmother. The song evokes emotions of happiness and longing. A well written and well sung ballad.

These Walls is a fantastic pedal steel laden number about memories being haunted by a lost love. Certainly could imagine this song playing on the jukebox in some dive bar in a small Texas town as the locals belly up to drink away their sorrows. I wouldn’t say Grelle covers any new ground here, but this is turf I don’t mind visiting over and over. I give this one a strong buy recommendation.

Listen to Got Dressed Up To Be Let Down

Jack Grelle Biography

Buy Got Dressed Up To Be Let Down

Reviewed by William Tokash

The Cactus Blossoms (CBs), led by brothers Jack Torrey and Page Burkum from Minneapolis, have released their debut album titled, “You’re Dreaming” on Red House Records produced by Broken Arrow, OK roots rocker, JD McPherson. Red House is a St. Paul-based roots music label that recently had the foresight to partner with Dale Watson, one of the most inspiring cats in Twang today, to lead the Ameripolitan music genre effort.

 The Cactus Blossoms have crafted a timeless, retro sound that is flush with stunning harmonies (clearly) inspired by the likes of the Everly Brothers. But what I heard after a couple listens fits nicely, but maybe not explicitly, with Dale’s Ameripolitan style. The CBs’ sounds are heavily influenced by gospel, rockabilly, and straight-up old timey, early 50s era, Nashville harmonies without being derivative or formulaic.

Songs like Powder Blue, which sounds like it could have made the shortlist for the Blue Velvet movie soundtrack, and Stoplight Kisses, where they touched on a bit of a Ray Price vibe to me, really standout for me. And then they go full-on Don and Phil on a couple of perfect songs titled No More Cryin’ the Blues and Clown Collector

 I am now completely hooked on these boys. But I couldn’t help but think of a couple thoughts for the CBs now that I’ve dug in on their sounds. Like, uh, Minnesota is not exactly cactus country, y’all! Do y’all get along better that Don and Phil Everly did? Do y’all know to steer clear of Nashville so you don’t get fleeced like the Everly Brothers did? Do you two get super-drunk and belt out Louvin Bros covers all night when you’re not on the road (this is a Very Good Thing in my book)! Take a listen, and keep an eye out for the Cactus Blossoms in full bloom in a town near you soon.

Listen to You’re Dreaming 

Purchase You’re Dreaming

 Cactus Blossoms Bio 

 Stoplight Kisses Video 

Reviewed by Harry Kaplan

Good things come to those who wait says the English proverb. It must be true because it has been 11 years between albums for Freakwater. That is a long time by any standard, but even longer today in a world of instant gratification. Freakwater is comprised of Catherine Irwin, Janet Beveridge Bean, and Dave Gay. The music is country leaning chock full of pedal steel, banjo, mandolin, and fiddle. It is not your parent’s country. I would call it “quirky” and a little weird and incredibly beautiful. I tend to lean toward the weird in case you didn’t notice. This is the band’s 10th full length album and it very well may be their best.

Velveteen Matador (Track 7) caught my ear right away. It starts off with a nice twangy guitar groove that quickly develops into a beautiful vocal arrangement between Irwin and Bean. I was going to try to interpret the lyrics but I can’t even harbor a guess as to what this song is about. Then I realized that it doesn’t matter. The song is so good that everyone should interpret it for what it means to them. For me, it represents billowy clouds and puppies. It makes me feel that good. The Asp And The Albatross (Track 2) is another absolutely gorgeous number highlighted by world class vocals and harmonies. Again, I have no idea what his song is about. I am sure the words are profound as Freakwater are pretty smart folks. Don’t get too caught up on the words since the music and vocals are good enough that a lot of word concentration is not necessary. Ghost Song (Track 12) is a perfect ending to this 45 minute masterpiece. I predict I will be quite addicted to Scheherazade and listen to it incessantly for the next few months. Maybe by then I will have a better understanding of the song meanings. Stay tuned….

You can listen to Scheherazade here in the Wall Street Journal (yes, The Wall Street Journal!) 

Buy Scheherazade 

Reviewed by Harry Kaplan

65 year old Alejandro Escovedo has released his pièce de résistance with Burn Something Beautiful. It is rare that someone releases an absolute stunner on their 15th album, but that IS what happened. A true credit to Escovedo’s ability to keep learning and evolving as an artist. The son of Mexican immigrants, Escovedo is from a very well established musical family, including brothers Coke and Pete Escovedo, and niece Sheila E. Alejandro’s brother, Javier, was in the legendary punk band The Zeros. Alejandro cut his teeth in punk rock as well, performing with the San Francisco punk outfit The Nuns. Escovedo moved to Austin, Texas in the 80s where he developed a roots rock style that has served him well over the past 3 decades. He was named No Depression’s Artist of the Decade in 1998. Despite the family ties and accolades, Escovedo still remains virtually unknown outside of the Americana/roots rock/Austin realm. Hopefully, Burn Something Beautiful will change that. (more…)

Reviewed by Harry Kaplan

This is psychedelic garage band bliss and it is divine. Most songs seem to be inspired by vampires, horror movies, monsters and zombies. Scientific Maps are a Brooklyn, NY outfit that have been around since 2003. This has given them 13 years to hone their craft. And they have it down to “science” (pun intended). Some good lo fi noise with power chord driven guitar, bass, strong vocals, and wonderful harmonies. I would describe them as a mix between The Cramps, The Sonics, and The Troggs. Again, taking the best elements and sounds form those bands to create something that walks the tight rope between modern and nostalgic. They gracefully walk that line, as they belt out tunes about terror, nightmares, caskets, and biting monsters. Their songs are incredibly infectious and more importantly, fun. Even with the light hearted aspects to some of these songs, you shouldn’t get the wrong idea. These songs are well crafted and masterfully recorded and produced.

Sideways Incredible (Track 5) is definitely a tune that has real potential to be a lasting hit. Well written lyrics, great vocals, heavenly harmonies, ambient rhythm guitars, and feedback laden leads. If you think that isn’t a formula for success, you need a refresher course. The distorted guitars get the ball rolling and the vocals and harmonies roll that ball home. Another song that showcases the incredible harmonies is The Miser And His Cursed Gold (Track 2). The chorus states, “Give me everything I want, give me everything I want, and then give to me again. Great sentiments. I want everything I want at least twice so this is definitely a song I can relate to. The Right Kind Of Light (Track 1) is a fine opener again with absolutely breathtaking harmonies and vocals. This release is worth checking out. I am sure you are going to like it.

You can listen and buy Fangs Death Deep here. 

Reviewed by William Tokash

When Harry recently asked me if I’d like to pen some reviews for Twangri-La, his inspirational effort to document his Vision for (a real) Country Music Utopia, I happily accepted. And I knew I was gonna lead with a Bloodshot Records release. I am a Chicago guy, and a long-time Bloodshot Records fan. Bloodshot Records brings a quintessentially Chicago kind of attitude to their label, which has enabled a number of innovative artists to pursue their own unique, DIY paths for over 20 years now.

On another front, I hear someday scientists are going to finish mapping the human genome. And when they identify the genes for an affinity for music that blends punk, country, soul, bluegrass, gospel, blues, and rock n roll influences, all laced with a heavy dose of in-your face attitude, the size of my chromosomes are gonna be shown to be ‘off the chart’ YUGE. And Bloodshot has a current stable and long history of bands along these lines always putting out great music.

But where to start? How about with Al Scorch. Al Scorch is clawhammerin’ speed-freak on the banjer, born and bred on the great “Nort-west Side of Chicaga” who released his Bloodshot debut titled “Circle Round The Signs” earlier this year.

Al pairs his virtuosic banjo skills with fiddle player, a snare drummer, and a stand-up bass as the foundation with passionate lyrics and a working-class, socially-aware perspective. On several tracks, he brings what he calls his Country Soul Ensemble to the forefront. For example, he fits in some squeeze box in on Lost at Sea, a clarinet on a Squirrel Nut Zipper-inspired track called Everybody Out, and what I think was a French horn on a couple of beautiful ballads (City Lullaby and Poverty Draft).

But don’t fret; this record has some punk-inspired fire and brimstone too, with the opener Pennsylvania Turnpike, Want One, and Slipnot all bringing nice hooks and some serious speed. These songs made me think of other Bloodshot favs of mine like Split Lip Rayfield and the Meat Purveyors. There is a nice hint of Bad Livers in here too. I have to admit, despite the fact that I get to a fair number of local shows, I have not yet seen Al live. But he’s on my List. This record comes together really nicely and I highly recommend you check it out.

www.alscorch.com

bloodshotrecords.com/artist/al-scorch

Reviewed by Harry Kaplan

Kentucky is the home of some of the most legendary musicians of the last 75 years including The Everly Brothers, Loretta Lynn, Dwight Yoakam, Crystal Gayle, Sturgill Simpson, My Morning Jacket etc. I have a feeling Nick Dittmeier & The Sawdusters may be a member of that list very shortly. Midwest Heart/Southern Blues is their latest offering and it is a beauty from start to finish. Every song is strong as steel and I took to all of the songs on the first listen. They consider themselves as an Americana act, but they are real country. They are what country used to be and should be. They are damn good and rock the house to the foundation. Absolutely professional players backed by great lyrics, and vocals (both lead and backing). The harmonies on this album are legendary. Nick Dittmeier has the perfect country voice and is a pleasure to listen to.

I could literally go through all 10 tracks on this album because, as I stated, all of the songs are hit worthy. For brevity’s sake, I will just pick a few highlights, which is not easy to do. My True Love (Track 1) comes out of the gates strong with some serious picking, lead vocals, and absolutely legendary harmonies. The song is about “Waiting for my true love”. It is 100% country. It definitely has a Byrds/Flying Burrito Brothers feel to it. That is a lofty comparison but the lead and backing vocals are really that good. Stabbed To Death In Ohio (Track 8 ) is a bit of a tragic song about being down on your luck. And it has a good helping of pedal steel on this track and some good twangy guitar. Anyone who has read my reviews know that I fancy both. I really can’t stop listening to this track. Heavy On My Mind (Track 10) is a perfect closer. This song will touch your soul and make you emotional. If it doesn’t evoke those emotions for you, check your pulse. Another example of the stellar harmonies that paint this entire album. I don’t use this term very often, but classic is what comes to mind. Listen and I know you will agree.

Listen and buy Midwest Heart/Southern Blues on their Bandcamp page. 

Reviewed by Harry Kaplan

Wow! This is a very nice release. Sounds like a wonderful mix of Robert Earl Keene and Bob Dylan. It has a little country, folk, and rock and roll. This guy knows how to write and craft a beautiful song. He also went old school by recording live to 24 track tape and then the mixing was done on tape as well. It has that nostalgic feel with expert production and sound. Austin is a recurring theme on the album, being the title track and well as the album title. Austin I also where all of the recording and mixing took place.

Get Along (Track 10) grabbed my ear tightly and held it like a vice. It is a very catchy and infectious song that I have found myself playing over and over. The song is about making it somehow, through the good and the bad times. It is a well written chronicle about perseverance and the ability to adapt. It is something that everyone can relate to. There is also a very nice Mark Knopfler style guitar solo. Whiskey Creek (Track 11) is a toe tapping country number that harkens back to the old days of two stepping and log cabins with plenty of fiddle and hand clapping. This is a story about going back up whiskey creek to reclaim life. Sounds like a metaphor for regret and weighing good and bad. It is a great old time country song. Long Way To Go (Track 1) is a perfect upbeat and thought provoking number to open Austin Blues with. All in all, a great release from Sean Devine. Hopefully he will have something new for us soon.

You can listen to Austin Blues here. 

Buy Austin Blues here.