Just Because might catch you off guard if you aren’t ready for it. The Belle Brigade’s sophomore effort is strong, if different. They still have their amazing harmonies. They still have some songs with a hard, driving beat, and some that slow down …
Tag Archives: new music
Pharis and Jason Romero – Long Gone Out West Blues – Perfect traditional roots country music
With a female lead and high tenor harmonies, Pharis and Jason Romero are the embodiment of all that is wonderful about timeless country music. Although this album is a year old, it’s well worth covering on this site. This is the kind of …
Bonus–more thoughts on Simon and the Bande A Part.
Simon VanGend is a writer. He’s a musician too, but he’s a writer. He’s a poet who just happens to sing, and play, and collaborate very well. “Blinking and Breathing” is VanGend’s fourth full-length album. On top of that, he is doing …
Cape Canyon – Bluebonnet EP – Classic, beautiful sound with sophisticated folk, rock, and country songwriting elements
Cape Canyon are one of my favorite finds of 2014. They have absolutely stunning harmonies and a truly unique overall sound. There’s a certain raw authenticity in their writing. It’s not to say that they are inexperienced so much as to say that …
Robert Ellis – Lights from the Chemical Plant – Quintessential country music with authentic voice and lyrics
Robert Ellis has the quintessential country music voice. With a southern pedigree and a knack for writing clever lyrics over catchy melodies, Ellis is a sure fire country music star. His timeless sound is one that ought to be more prevalent in Nashville, …
The Emerald Armada – The Emerald Armada – The Irish music for St. Patrick’s Day you didn’t know you needed
This is really excellent music on the debut EP from the Emerald Armada. And yes, if you’re wondering, the “Emerald” part of their name refers to their Belfast, Northern Ireland origins. This album has gang vocals, exciting harmonies, and a fun vibe great …
Sixteen Sparrows – 16 Sparrows EP – Good, authentic modern folk music
Although this EP is nearly a year old, but it is really good modern folk music by a group that has a wonderful, authentic sound. Piano, guitar, and accessible vocals, 16 Sparrows are a classic American folk band. This introductory EP is a …
Artist Feature: Inside the Ledges Tour and Album with Abby and Noah Gundersen
From the first moments walking into the dark rooms of Akron, Ohio’s Musica venue, I knew a spectacular evening awaited. I was greeted by the familiar smiles of both Noah and Abby Gundersen. I was immediately struck by a seemingly off-hand comment that …
David Benedict – Into the True Country – Rich, endearing mandolin bluegrass album
There are probably really technical terms to define the kind of music that David Benedict makes, but to the lay music fan (and even some of us critical types), I can think of a few good words – relaxing, endearing, and rich. By …
The Tonk Honkys – Classic southern country with a little west-coast mellow
Deep south moved west. Four Alabama natives met at college, they all played instruments, seemed compatible, they moved across the country to Los Angeles to develop their sound and achieve their dreams. There, they played their first notes together and destinies ignited. Since …
