Eric Gabriel – “Toledo”
-The best word I can use to describe this wonderful song is “unhurried.” It’s not just slow… it’s painstakingly slow… and that absolutely works for the mood of this track. It’s a bit of a love song, a bit of a lament. It drips with authenticity and emotion. Everything from the tone of the vocal to the lonesome crooning of the steel guitar comes together for a perfect balance. The tonal balance of this track is exceptionally well crafted. This is a hidden gem, I’m telling you. For fans of folk and alt country in the vein of the Milk Carton Kids.
Admiral Radio – “Down Home Southern Lovin'”
-I liked this song from the first time I clicked play, but I almost didn’t accept is just because it was so good it almost made me blush. It’s about… uh… down home southern lovin’. It’s gritty and fun, but it also has this desperation to it that feels visceral. In other words, this is about a craving, not just a desire. There’s sure a difference and you can hear it here. The string work is bouncy and the vocals are great. The line “came for the honey but I stayed for the stinger” is all sorts of wonderful and… well, this is a family show so I won’t comment any further. 🙂 Give this one a spin and share it with that special someone. It’s guaranteed to get a smile.
Ryan Rickenbach – “Hallelujah Here We Go”
-There’s a brightness to this recording that caught my attention right away. I think the most evident comps for Rickenbach are guys like Rayland Baxter or Dylan LeBlanc. The spirited composition style moves along in a rootsy Americana sort of way. The phrasing is really good, rolling from concept to concept in the lyrics all fitting well with the melodic structure. The main chorus pops really well on this track, making it feel like it could honestly crossover. I’d love to hear a track like this one mainstream country radio. Tell me that this wouldn’t be more interesting, captivating, and meaningful than about 90% of what gets played. But… I digress. As a fan of indie alt country, it honestly doesn’t get much better than this.
Image courtesy: Admiral Radio IG
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