New Justin Townes Earl album coming in September

Just a quick little bit for you here...

One of my favorite artists, Justin Townes Earle, is releasing a new album on September 14th. Titled Harlem River Blues, it will be available on Bloodshot Records. I hope they make this available in vinyl. His records are like warm , satisfying cup of coffee on a cool night. You''d be hard up to find a better Americana singer-songwriter these days. I can't wait to get my hands on it and see him in concert again in Austin.

New Texas Tornados album & Waterloo In-Store

The legendary Texas Tornados are back with a new album, Esta Bueno!. Due out this Tuesday, March 2nd, the Texas music legends are celebrating it here in Austin with an in-store at Waterloo Records at 5:00pm also on Tuesday. Expect a big crowd so get there early.

Album Review: One Foot In The Ether by The Band of Heathens

After three albums and an Austin Music Award, The Band of Heathens are finally set to release their second studio release this week. Their new album, One Foot In The Ether, will not only win them more awards but also more fans. Even though you’ll probably find it in the “country” or “Americana” sections of most record stores, it also belongs in music collections of Black Crowes fans, John Mellencamp fans and even Eagles fans. Reason being, there is so many more musical elements in place on One Foot In The Ether; roots rock, gospel, soul, blues, and southern rock even. They are just too talented and musically diverse to be put in a box.

Speaking of diverse, part of that diversity comes from having three talented frontmen: Ed Juri, Gordy Quist and Colin Brooks. On the album’s opener, “L.A. County Blues”, a blues guitar riff and an organ introduce you to Ed Juri. With its country sensibilities and Juri’s vocals, “La County Blues” is one of the album’s many sure fire singles. I am going to go out on a limb early and call it a “beer drinkin’ classic. It also happens to be about journalist and author, Hunter S. Thompson. 

After a few beers and the blues country sounds of “L.A. County Blues”, take it to church with the gospel stylings of “Shine A Light”. If that’s not enough for you, then turn the volume up on “What’s This World”. A feel good but reality check on life, “What’s This World” is certainly a spiritual calling in its own right. Someone looking for a campaign song or a song for a campaign commercial needs to give it a listen.

My personal favorite on One Foot In The Ether is easily “Look At Miss Ohio”. This bluesy, country, folk-rock hybrid is about a girl wanting to do right… but just not right now. The soulful rasp of the vocals and blues guitar riffs blend really nicely with the piano. The musical composition outshines the song’s lyrics, as they are rather simple. Sometimes the “KISS” method can be the way to go. I’d love to ask Gilian Welch (the song writer) one day about the story behind “Look At Miss Ohio”.

Overall, One Foot In The Ether is a solid album from beginning to end. Its musical diversity is to be commended and the critical acclaim should be flooding in soon if hasn’t already. Add The Band of Heathens to the list of artists you used to be able to see for around ten bucks. After this album, those days will be long gone. (Review originally published on September 14th on www.doublestereo.com)

One Foot In The Ether is available today nationwide on BOH Records. 

For more on The Band of Heathens, visit their official website at www.bandofheathens.com.

Those Darlins Coming back to Austin in October

Those Darlins made quite a splash online when they were here in March for South By Southwest. I have read several reviews, interviews and blogs on them recently. One source quoted their sound as "Appalachian Indie" and I agree with that. Those Darlins hail from Murfreesboro, Tennessee. Their sound is very Carter Family meets Pitchfork. I am actually surprised that I like this group, as it outside of my usual repertoire of musical genres. Maybe it hits my Southern roots or maybe becase it is three bad ass chicks in boots. Who knows?

All I do know is that when I received their album a couple of months back, I had so many albums to listen to at that time that it ended up sitting in a pile for a bit longer than I wanted. Once I listened to it all the way through for shits and giggles one day, I regretted not opening it sooner. It isn't something I'd listen to everyday or regularly, but once in a while when I am grillin' or on a long road trip perhaps.

So as I was looking around online the other day at different venue schedules and check Myspace bulletins, I saw that Those Darlins will be coming back to Austin on October 30th. They'll be playing at one of my favorite local venues, The Continental Club on South Congress. There will be a lot stuff going on that weekend as it is Halloween weekend, but it is definitely something people should consider checking out. Mark your calendars now.

Before concluding, I just wanted to show you a great video I found online of Those Darlins performing my favorite song of theirs called "Whole Damn Thing". I can relate because I too have eaten a whole chicken after drinking heavily. Who doesn't love a good chicken?

Those Darlins "Whole Damn Thing" from Tugboat Productions on Vimeo.

For more on Those Darlins, visit their official website:

http://thosedarlins.com/index.htm

Album Review: Follow by Johnny Cooper

I can’t even begin to tell you about the countless country or Americana albums come through my mail box, digital or hard copy. Most of them sound like your run of the mill “new country” wannabes who would make the country forefathers turn over in their grave. Even as just a casual fan of the genre, I can hear the difference between what’s good and what isn’t. I grew up in the South almost all my life, so country is something you can’t avoid if you tried. Now it is not often I will write about or review anything country(ish), but today I found something worth talking about. Country singer, songwriter, and Texas native Johnny Cooper is worth a listen. His new album, Follow, made it to my iPod.



Click here to read the full review on Double Stereo