Editorial Review

Few artists in recent memory have been able to wring more from less than Lucinda Williams. The hauntingly beautiful, wistful, and often breathtaking Read more

Reviews (174)

Absolutely sublime
This is quite possibly Lucinda Williams finest recorded work to date. I have no option but to award five well deserved stars. The songs and production are certainly not as immediately impressive as Car Wheels or World Without Tears. However, what we have is a superbly crafted and subtly understated work that rewards repeated listening through masterful and poetic use of lyrics, heatbreaking vocal expression, and near-perfect arrangements. It is wonderfully successful on all levels. There are no weak tracks, and I invariably listen to all 11 without skipping. The title track is a favourite; one of the sexiest things I've ever heard.

"For Girls Under Heavy Blankets with Heat Rising."
This mournful, erotic album is my favorite of Lucinda Willams work.I'm not usually a fan of female singers who play guitar, but this lady is a real musician, a poet and an emotional magician. She writes her own music and lyrics -plays on her heartstrings, sings from her soul.Her rough but vulnerable, husky, cowgirl voice tells you all you need to know about late nights in bars, too much booze, cigarettes, and a long time looking - and longing - for that one guy.
Angst, Beautiful Angst
Lucinda once again cuts an album that defies categorization - rock, folk, blues? I don't know what to call it, so I'll just stick with ''excellent'' and ''superb''. Essence is 100% pure Lucinda angst. And I love it. It doesn't have the range that Car Wheels does, but than again she spent 6 years on that album. She wrote all the songs on Essence in only 6 weeks. In Lucinda time, that's nothing! So it's no wonder all the songs sound like they're from the same place inside this great song-writer. That same angst-ridden place. Don't get me wrong though, this album is fantastic. And I'm very happy I didn't have to wait 6 years before she put it out :) ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Acoustic Blues    2. Alternative Country-Rock    3. Alternative Folk    4. Americana    5. Contemporary Folk    6. Folk-Rock    7. Pop    8. Rock    9. Rock/Pop    10. Singer/Songwriter   

Features

• Original recording remastered
• Import

Reviews (13)

Classic
This album is filled with Classic Texas songs.From Rita Ballou, to LA Freeway, to Like a Coat From the Cold, you will not want to stop listening to this CD and will find yourself singing along every chance you get.Sung in a voice that is uniquely Guy Clark, his throaty version of each song makes it his own.A must for any fan of Texas Country or Guy Clark.

Seventies country-rock
Better known as a songwriter, Guy's always-brilliant albums never sold in big quantities. Maybe Guy's voice didn't appeal to mainstream country radio, or maybe his lake of stage presence when performing live counted against him. Although he never became a major star, Guy built up a significant fan base in Britain and America. More significantly, other singers appreciated the quality of his songs and have recorded many of them as well as lending their support on Guy's own recordings. Thus, even if you've never heard any of Guy's own music, you may well have heard some of his songs. This twofer contains Guy's two albums for RCA - the first two albums of his career.
Where It All Started
Guy Clark is still going strong as a song-writer and performer, but neither he nor anybody else has ever been any better than he is here, with searing, heart-rending songs of loneliness and hurt and exuberantly happy songs about the good times.Read more

Subjects:  1. Country    2. Country/Bluegrass    3. Outlaw Country    4. Pop   

Editorial Review

"Lord, honey, you're a ghost," Minnie Pearl allegedly told Hank Williams III after their first meeting. It's a natural reaction to the skinny singer with the sunken cheekbones and, especially, the pinched nasal vocal--so reminiscent of his famous grandfather's catch-and-moan delivery. Hank III's debut, Read more

Reviews (60)

GOOD CW
I used to say I don't like country. Then I said well except for Hank and Patsy. Now I am saying, I LOVE HANK III ! He does sound a lot like his Grandpa and not so much like his daddy whom I have never much liked. I was really expecting him to be more rockabilly which I love but he seems pretty classic. I will not be surprised when he kicks out the jams on some future disk. I recommend this disk.

Not My Style of Country
I'm a big fan of Outlaw and Texas Country, however, still album was not for me.Hank III is too raw, too basic, and too lacking for me.However, he does have a very unique sound and style and I can't think of anyone else out there that he sounds like.Still I'd be cautious about buy this CD and listen to the song samples that Amazon provides.

What "new" country music should be
Hank 3 represents what "new" country music should be. He stays true to the blues roots of country music in terms of his lyrics AND his music. If you are a fan of Hank Sr., Haggard, Cash, Willie and Waylon, etc. then I highly suggest checking out this disc. Its one of my all time country favorites. Can't wait for Straight to Hell! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Americana    2. Contemporary Country    3. Country    4. Country & Western    5. New Traditionalist    6. Pop    7. Rock   

Editorial Review

With his soulful drawl and knack for writing material suitable for some of the biggest artists in mainstream country (George Strait, Patty Loveless, and the Dixie Chicks among them), it's hard to understand why Jim Lauderdale remains on the alternative fringe as a recording artist. Yet his indie status gives him the freedom to make the music he wants, such as this album of new originals steeped in the sound of classic country (released simultaneously with Read more

Reviews (2)

This is the Lauderdale I love!
There are two "sides" to Jim Lauderdale: his honky tonk country side (where he first made his name writing some great hits for others - as well as himself) and his "bluegrass" side, which was highlighted by a joint album with Bluegrass legend Ralph Stanley in 2002. Personally I like the honky tonk side with the great "hooks" that Lauderdale puts in his songs. This CD contains 13 of them and the title is "tongue in cheek" since these are newly written and the title is a "vision" that they will be "Country Super Hits". Heck most Country radio stations play only the big "hat" acts and the young new singers. So, in order to hear Lauderdale do his thing, you'll have to get the CD. But you won't be disappointed. If you liked his previous non-bluegrass albums, this one will not disappoint you.
Lauderdale's CD full of"Country Super Hits"
Prime Cuts:Honky Tonk Mood Again, I Met Jesus at a Bar, She's Got Some Magic Going On
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Subjects:  1. Americana    2. Contemporary Country    3. Country    4. Neo-Traditionalist Country    5. Pop    6. Singer/Songwriter    7. United States of America   

Editorial Review

Though Jim Lauderdale has built something of a reputation as a live-wire, honky-tonk throwback (as well as writer of mainstream country hits for the likes of George Strait), his acoustic bluegrass releases represent some of his freshest music. His latest is a sequel of sorts to his 2002 Grammy-winning collaboration with Ralph Stanley, Read more

Reviews (1)

The more you listen...the more you love!
Perhaps I'm biased, because I know Jim (he's awesome) and because my husband played a lot of the banjo tracks...but any album he creates is worth owning.The more you listen to it, the more you end up loving it and craving to hear it again...and again...and again...You get the point.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Americana    2. Country    3. Pop    4. Traditional Country    5. United States of America   

Editorial Review

Trace is obsessed with time. "Can you deny there's nothing greater ... than the traveling hands of time?" asks frontman Jay Farrar early on, and song to song, he deliberates time's tyranny. Farrar's voice always sounds beaten but never quite broken here, and when on the impossibly catchy "Windfall" he wishes "may the wind take your troubles away," it feels like nothing short of a blessing. Trace is alternative country's most perfect moment: the Uncle Tupelo-ish electric crunch rocks for something better, even as its twangy steel and fiddle never forget the very country fact that time will beat us all. Read more

Reviews (73)

High Point for Farrar
This amazing album keeps going.Every song conjurs up late night highway driving and decaying urban fabric.Soulful music throughout without a bad song on the entire ablum.Farrar rocks out and can keep it mello too.This is a staple for any Alt-Country fan.
Awesome Cd
This is an awesome cd. It has everything you could hope for in a good country-ish album. "Windfall" by Son Volt is one of my absolute favorite songs. It combines so many different elements, but it comes out sounding collective. If you are looking for a cd that you can play all the way through this is a great choice.

Searching for a Truer Sound?
This is it!Of all the alt country I own (Wilco, Golden Smog, Jayhawks, Ryan Admas, etc...) this is tops.It's the perect blend of country & rock.Windfall, the album's best track, is a beautiful song and the rest of the album is both sad and uplifting at the same time.
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Subjects:  1. Alternative Country-Rock    2. Americana    3. Pop    4. Rock    5. Rock/Pop   

Editorial Review

With a title track inspired by the death of friend Elliot Smith, Read more

Reviews (30)

Rhetts got it
Rhett Miller is one of the best pop singers going. He seems more vaunerable solo then he is with the Old 97's. We get more of what rattles around in his noggin with this album. I was a huge fan of the last solo disc and this is more then what I expected for a follow up. Nice job Rhett!

Buy this Album!!
The entire CD is really great and, most of all, alot of fun.I especially like My Valentine (the most rockin' song on the CD), The Believer, and Fireflies. Rhett Miller is a wonderfully talented songwriter with a voice that can inspire you to get up dance or, within the space of a few songs, pierce your heart.

Don't bother
I listened to the first 5 tracks - skimmed through tracks 6, 7, 8 and 9.At track 10 I threw it out the car window.Nuff said. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Adult Alternative Pop/Rock    2. Alternative Country-Rock    3. Contemporary Singer/Songwriter    4. Jangle Pop    5. Pop    6. Pop/Rock    7. Rock    8. Rock/Pop    9. Singer/Songwriter   

Editorial Review

The infectious twang and pop hooks of Wilco's former efforts may be fading fast, but Read more

Features

• Enhanced

Reviews (178)

Awesome, but not Wilco's best
Although I don't consider this to be the best Wilco CD, it still holds a special place in my heart because this CD introduced me to Wilco.If I hadn't liked it, then I wouldn't have gone out of my way to discover the rest of Wilco's music.Those people saying that this CD is terrible are most likely judging it against the awe inspiring music in Wilco's other CD's.This inhibits them from seeing that despite that this CD may not match up as well as other Wilco CDs, it's still an excellent CD.

Just as Pleasing as all other Wilco cds!
I have owned this cd for almost 2 years now, and I have to say it gets more play in my stereo when I'm driving than all my other cds combined. If you're looking for a cd to turn up and rock out to this is it. "Hummingbird" "I'm a Wheel" "Handshake Drugs" "Wishful Thinking" and "Company in My Back" are all members of my favorite songs ever. I guess I got lucky having so many favorites on one album. This cd is truly fantastic. I am always amazed at how different and wonderful each Wilco cd turns out. Just when I think they can't come out with anything better they surprise me. This cd should go down in the history as one of the best in the world, in my oppinion. It is a necessary classic to add to your collection. Whether you're a Wilco fan or not, take a chance and buy this cd. It's worth it.

My favorite Wilco
I've listened to all their records and A Ghost is Born is the most emotional and intense of the lot.It takes some adjusting to (anyone who says that this is a cop out is lying to themselves), but after that phase you begin to love this album in a different way than other albums of theirs.This one is darker and has a much stronger sense of emotion due to Tweedy's vocals and guitar work.A lot of these songs do individually sound better on Kicking Television, but if they sounded like that on the record it would have felt less cohesive.There is a mood to Ghost and it's absolutely perfect for late night drives, depressing times (the music can really click at those moments), and whenever your listening just needs to be mellow and genuine.This is and probably will always be Tweedy's most personal and artful Wilco record.Ghost is something to respect, and it can be extremely enjoyable with an open mind. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Adult Alternative Pop/Rock    2. Alternative Pop/Rock    3. Experimental Rock    4. Indie Rock    5. Pop    6. Rock    7. Rock/Pop    8. United States of America   

Editorial Review

They earned wide acclaim with the double-disc Read more

Reviews (37)

The best band out there...Meet the DBTs
There are all sorts of reasons why I shouldn't think the DBTs are the best band out there.For instance, I don't listen to rock anymore except for the odd excursion down memory lane listening to early Little Feat or Don Van Vliet or whatever....
One Of Their Best...
Decoration Day is an awesome rekkid from start to finish, not a dud track to be found just killer songwriting/storytelling & playing until the end...
The Masterpiece****1/2
Most breakthrough albums are a surprise to most bands, if it isn't their debut.And while the Drive By Truckers and the world at large were certainly stunned at the success of "Southern Rock Opera," it was still a calculated move.So, who would have expected "Decoration Day" to take them a step further despite the odds?Unlike "SRO," "D Day" isn't soaked in preperation - the band had only a year to turn out these 15 songs, and many of them were written on the road.In short, if "Southern Rock Opera" put people in the seats, "Decoration Day" kept them there.
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Subjects:  1. Alternative Country-Rock    2. Hard Rock    3. Indie Rock    4. Pop    5. Rock    6. Rock/Pop    7. Southern Rock    8. United States of America   

Editorial Review

Jolie Holland's first album recorded in an actual studio is a sumptuous affair that extends her indie country and folk sound further into the realms of old-school jazz and country blues. But this is no quaint revivalism; ye olde sounds are made modern by smart lyrics that reference feminist writer/adventurer Isabelle Eberhardt on the whimsical "Old Fashion Morphine," or that speak of "a couple of food stamps and a caffeine buzz" on "Poor Girl." The arrangements are subtle and sophisticated, showing more breadth than those on her debut, Read more

Reviews (32)

A voice from another time / place / world?
I can't stop listening to that voice of hers - it is like a cross between Victoria Williams, Billie Holiday, and Ben Webster.It is more like a saxophone than a voice, a saxophone coming from someSunday afternoon show at a smoky little club down the street, that makes you say, "Hey, who is that?"You can't miss the soulfulness of her sound.
Maybe she's a poor girl but it doesn't bother me at all
I love this album but I can see from some reviews that some people hate her. I'm not sure what is pretentious about her delivery. I think Jolie is amazing. I've never heard anyone like her. She sings like a trumpet player from some dark holler. She blurs time in a way that would make the old pre-war blues masters proud. I love her timing. Does she have a unique vocal style? Yes she does but then again so did Tommy Johnson and Skip James but I don't hear anyone calling those guys frauds. Thank goodness.
not quite on target
ok. i thought from other reviews that i would really like this cd, but I dont really. the delivery seems completely pretentious as another reviewer said. i cant get past that fact. though damn shame is excellent. its the only one that i added to my playlist. in fact i promptly trashed the rest. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Alternative Country    2. Contemporary Folk    3. Contemporary Singer/Songwriter    4. Country-Folk    5. Folk-Blues    6. Folk-Jazz    7. Lo-Fi    8. Minstrel    9. Neo-Traditional Folk    10. Pop    11. Rock    12. Rock/Pop    13. Songster   

Editorial Review

On previous outings, Sparklehorse mastermind Mark Linkous was weird, but his recent near-death experience has rendered him weird Read more

Features

• Enhanced

Reviews (56)

Hey Joe
If you saw the movie "the devil & Daniel Johnston", its nice get a listen to the original "Hey Joe" by Johnston (not on the movie though), well done here by SparkleHorse...

Chaos of the Galaxy / Happy Man
This is not a full review. I was reading these reviews and many of you wondered why the terrific song Happy Man was buried in static. I read somewhere that it's been rumored that Mark Linkous purposely "sabotaged" that track after learning that their record company wanted to make the song their next single. He did this because he didn't want to be too commercialized. The "clean" version (called the Memphis Version) of this song can be found on the EP "Distorted Ghosts".

A Must Have
While Good Morning Spider isn't quite up there with It's A Wonderful Life, it is still a brilliant album and adds dimension to Sparklehorse.If you are a Sparklehorse fan, then you should definatley have this CD.Give it more than a few listens, it takes a while to get used to the different sounds.It's beautiful soothing melodies mixed with it's raw appeal make this album timeless.Overall it is magnificent. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Alternative Country-Rock    2. Alternative Pop/Rock    3. Dream Pop    4. Indie Rock    5. Noise Pop    6. Pop    7. Rock    8. Rock/Pop   

Editorial Review

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Reviews (6)

Disappointed
I really wanted to like this album, but it's simply not one of Alejandro's better efforts.For me, it's much too similar to his old Buick MacKane days, and lacks the simplicity, richness, and emotion that make Alejandro so unique.
Why Don't I Love This CD?
There is something about this CD that keeps me from raving about it. On the surface it is great. I listened to it regularly for about a week, and it still gets heavy rotation in my player. All the parts are in place...the lyrics, the passion, the emotion, the chamber music-like quality of the music. So what's the problem?
Great
Escovedo has been a musician and songwriter who has been very prolific. I thought he died a few years ago, but I guess not. He has hooked up with John Cale on this record. Most of his music is mellow rock with county and folk references. Escovedo has written most of the songs here, with a little help. The band is very large. Even Cale helps out on a few tunes. "Notes On Air" is a brilliant song. It's good to see this class act back in business. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Adult Alternative Pop/Rock    2. Americana    3. Pop    4. Pop/Rock    5. Rock    6. Rock & Roll    7. Rock/Pop    8. Roots Rock    9. Singer/Songwriter   

Reviews (7)

Thank you, Pandora
I realized after listening to one of my stations on Pandora that I kept loving songs and finding they were the Greencards on this album.I loved it so much, I bought it.Pandora is a great tool becaus it led me to this fabulously simple yet rich album.Love it, and I highly recommend it.

best album of '05
i saw this band open for dylan/nelson in june(2 weeks before this was released) and thought they were great.in fact my sister and mother (and me if i am honest but i have to say mr.D was best just because he is great)actually thought they were the best act of the night.anyways needless to say when we got a play copy of this at the record store i work at i listened to it and what i heard was the best release of 2005.after having this for only a week i went out and bought their debut which is also really good.there is not one bad track on this album it is phenomenal.you can pop this in and listen to every track without being bored, it is great.my favorite tracks are "don't want forever," "the ballad of kitty brown," "boardered on a breakdown," "the ghost of who we were," and "weather & water."if you like this kind of music buy this album you won't be disappointed.

Simply Beautiful Music
The Greencards have earned their success the hard way.Individually they learned the business playing for other artists such as Rodney Crowell .They actually met and came together as a result of working on a project for another artist.They have build a fan base using the time honored tradition of opening for bands they respected musically.In short, they are a flashback to a time when musicians became successful by making, of all things, music.On their second album they remind new fans and old exactly what kind of music can be wrung of this kind of work.Haunting and memorable, The Greencards may just be the best contemporary straight bluegrass band on the scene today.
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Subjects:  1. Americana    2. Bluegrass    3. Contemporary Bluegrass    4. Country    5. Pop   

Editorial Review

This shimmering sleeper of a solo debut should surprise even diehard fans of the Jayhawks, the band in which Tim O'Reagan played a comparatively low-profile role as the drummer. Here, his homespun pop with psychedelic glimmers features lush harmonies, buoyant melodies, offbeat arrangements (including his dad as guest whistler on the opening "These Days"), and multi-instrumental overdubbing by O'Reagan (supported by Jayhawks alums and kindred spirits). The results suggest an unlikely blend of a rootsier Left Banke, a cheerier Elliott Smith, and a heartland George Harrison. The yearning "River Bends," with its steel guitar, would have been a highlight on any Jayhawks album. Read more

Reviews (9)

Beatiful Music from Tim O'Reagan
As another review mentions, one of my favorite Jaywalks songs is "Bottomless Cup," one of the few written and sung by Tim while he was part of the Jayhawks.I always wished he would be given more space on each album.This album is bitter-sweet, both in content and context. Tim has produced a great album, but its existence results from the dissolution of one of the great bands of the last twenty years.

Jayhawks Fans Rejoice
One of the saddest days, for me, was whwen the Jayhawks announced that after many years of putting out some of the best "alt-country' discs (hell, why label them, some of the best discs period) were splitting up. Their songs were beautifully constructed, harmonically pleasing and and real.
Bottomless Cup
I've often thought that the best Jayhawks song from the post-Mark Olson line-up was Bottomless Cup from Sound Of Lies.On that song, Tim O'Reagan stepped out from behind the drums and sang lead vocals for the first time.Tim got to sing a song or two on subsequent Jayhawks releases, but I always wished he'd had more of an opportunity to shine in the band setting.Well, that wasn't meant to be, but now he has his own self-titled, full-length record.It doesn't disappoint.It builds on the potential only hinted at from Tim's songs with the Jayhawks.I highly recommend it. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Adult Alternative Pop/Rock    2. Alternative Country-Rock    3. Chamber Pop    4. Country    5. Pop    6. Rock/Pop   

Editorial Review

Sometimes the worst thing you can do is be very consistently great with your art. Calexico's failure to rise beyond cult status can perhaps be attributed to the fact that their albums are such subtle Whitman Samplers of Tex-Mex-and-kitchen-sink tastefulness. Read more

Reviews (17)

I thought I invented the "strum and mumble"
I like Calexico, but the other albums are better than this.It sounds great, but doesn't stick with you very long.Regarding Jeff S, I assumed I invented the term strum and mumble.Weird.Glad to know someone else understands this. There are entirely too many of these kinds of groups these days, ones that aren't that interested in writing "songs", but just people who want to make music with words.

It grew on me
Interesting mix of music. I like most of the songs on this album, a bit on the roots side, kind of folky and kind of bluesy. They are not a commercial band but this is a very easy album to listen to. My favorite songs are "Yours and Mine", "Lucky Dime", "All Systems Red". I have been listening to this CD a lot and it has really grown on me.

Return to roots?
Joey Burns grew up on the beach of Los Angeles California, so it's not surprising that some of the music he writes does not harken to the dusty desert border towns.That came later.
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Subjects:  1. Alternative Pop/Rock    2. Americana    3. Indie Rock    4. Pop    5. Post-Rock/Experimental    6. Rock    7. Rock/Pop   

Editorial Review

The album that named a movement (and a magazine), Read more

Features

• Extra tracks
• Original recording reissued
• Original recording remastered

Reviews (10)

Alternative country comes alive...
A friend of mine actually gave me a copy of No Depression on tape shortly after this release came out and told me I had to check this new band out. For some reason it sat at the bottom of my tape collection for well over a year. I finally rediscovered the tape one day and realized it was time to check out the band with the unique name. Man, had I missed out on some seriously good music! There is a nice mix of punk and country on many of the songs on this cd. Songs such as "Graveyard Shift" and "Factory Belt" are quick paced, high-flying country/punk tunes but the song that blew me away (and still does to this day) is the old school country drinking song "Whiskey Bottle". Everytime I hear this song it just sends shivers up my spine as you can feel the pain and heartache in Jay Farrar's voice. Some great bonus tracks on the remastered version including a great version of Gram Parson's "Sin City" and an informative booklet just add to the original beauty of this release. Tupelo move forward into a more traditional country sound after this cd but "No Depression" is a groundbreaking effort.
Oh My, yes indeed!
Now this, THIS is my kind of music. Punk meets Country, with Rock sprinkled all over for good measure! From the opening note of "Graveyard Shift" to the close of "Blues Die Hard, there's 19 tracks of pure great music to be had here.
Seminal!!!
This is THE album by THE band that created a whole new genre in American Underground music.It would take five years for bands like Uncle Tupelo to appear in every major city in the US, but they eventually did.It is a classic.An essential album for any music lover.
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Subjects:  1. Alternative Country-Rock    2. Alternative Pop/Rock    3. Pop    4. Rock    5. Rock/Pop    6. Roots Rock   

Editorial Review

Todd Snider really knows how to work a room. As a storytelling troubadour for the slacker set, he takes inspiration from the likes of Jerry Jeff Walker (as he explains in one of this solo concert album's deadpan introductions) and Robert Earl Keen and applies it to a selection of shaggy-dog stories, talking blues, and slices-of-life gone askew.One of his earliest signature tunes, "Talking Seattle Grunge Rock Blues," has now outlived grunge by too long, but the more recent "Waco Moon," inspired by the death of guitartist Eddy Shaver, shows that Snider's songwriting is good for a whole lot more than laughs. Some of his most engaging songs such as "Beer Run" seem to have practically written themselves, while others such as "Tension" and "Statistician's Blues" sound like songs that were just waiting to be written. It's an integral part of Snider's engaging appeal that he makes it all seem so effortless. As with Keen, the challenge for Snider is balancing the easy laughs with his more serious progression as a songwriter. Read more

Features

• Live

Reviews (18)

see him live.
do yourself a favor, keep a watch out for when todd snider comes to your town. he is about as entertaining a performer as i've seen. great songs. great between song banter. this is an excellent souvenier from his live shows. i hope more live recordings will be available soon.

Todd Snider "LIVE" cd
Good music - love Todd!Check out his latest "East Nashville Skyline".Really good!!!!!!!!

Near Truths and hotel rooms live
This is classic Todd Snider. The stories alone are worth buying the CD. The songs are very good and tell some moving stories. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Alternative Country-Rock    2. Folk-Rock    3. Pop    4. Rock    5. Rock/Pop    6. Roots Rock    7. Singer/Songwriter   

Editorial Review

The organic musical progression of this young, rural Iowan continues to impress.Though he has yet to reach 30, his gravelly voice; themes of mortality, loss, and redemption; and spare accompaniment on banjo and guitar evoke an era before electricity and indoor plumbing. Yet there's a melodic warmth and spirit of renewal here that was nowhere to be heard on Whitmore's two previous albums. As the song cycle proceeds from drought to flood, the musical narrator even proclaims himself a "happy feller" at one point, though happiness remains barely a glimmer throughout much of his music. Both the stunning "The Chariot" (which puts a darker spin on "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot" and "Will the Circle Be Unbroken") and "Red Buds" benefit from the backing of keyboardist Dave Zollo and drummer John Crawford, while the thematically pivotal instrumental, "And Then the Rains Came," adds electronic atmospherics and sound effects over a repetitive guitar drone.From the elegy for a dying breed of "Rest His Soul" to the closing meditation on loss and memory in "Everyday," Whitmore continues to craft a remarkable body of work. Read more

Reviews (2)

Buy his record and watch him live!
This guy has a wonderful voice. If you ever get the chance, I highly recommend watching him live!

Best Release Yet
On his third release, William Elliott Whitmore continues to earn his reputation as one of the best voices in American music.This album expands his sound, adding more instrumentation, and at the same time sticks to its roots.Even "And Then The Rains Came", on which Will decides to rest his voice, evokes a feeling that makes it clear the song belongs on the record.The optimism seen in small doses on previous records shines through in songs like "Dry", "Take It On The Chin", and "Lee County Flood"; while Will's bluesy roots are evident in "One Man's Shame".