CARDINOLOGY - Ryan Adams and the Cardinals
Nice and pleasant sounding CD, but not nearly as good as last year’s “Easy Tiger” on the song-writing side.
Ryan Adams and the Cardinals: Natural Ghost
Video: “Fix It” on David Letterman
MySpace | Website | Label: Lost Highway Records | BUY
Ryan Adams at Bridges Auditorium
ATTACK AND RELEASE - The Black Keys
Drum and Guitar duo teams up with producer Danger Mouse (Gnarls Barkley) to come up with a very nice CD different from their past garage blues grunge sound. Radio friendly, even.
the Black Keys: Strange Times
Video: “I Got Mine” on David Letterman
MySpace | Website | BUY
RECOVERY - Loudon Wainwright III
Really nice CD of Loudon redoing old songs from his 40-year career catalogue backed by a band and produced by Joe Henry. This folk renegade has always been sharp as a tack with his biting and humorous take on the human condition. Lately his popularity has experienced an upswing, partly due to the success of his offspring Rufus and Martha [and a small acting part in the movie Knocked Up].
Loudon Wainwright III: Motel Blues (free download at Amazon.com)
MySpace | Website | BUY
@#%&*! SMILERS - Aimee Mann
Aimee’s back in step on this one, with more of the patented great pop songs. Much better than her last CD.
Video: “Freeway”
Another chocolate Easter bunny
hollowed out by your own tongue
MySpace | Website | Label: Superego Records | Lyrics | BUY
Album Review | Aimee Mann’s 3rd Annual Christmas Show
COULD WE SURVIVE (EP) - Joseph Arthur
Very nice 6-song EP of folk-flavored songs with help from Lonely Astronaut’s Jen Turner. This was the first and possibly the best of the four EPs he released this year.
Joseph Arthur with Jen Turner: Rages of Babylon
Video: “Morning Cup” from Could We Survive
(live rehearsal for SXSW 2008)
MySpace | Website | Label: Lonely Astronaut Records | BUY
JA: the 2008 EPs | Album Review: Temporary People | Uncle T’s Top 10 of 2008
SATURNALIA - The Gutter Twins
Mark Lanegan (Screaming Trees) and Greg Dulli (Afghan Wigs) team up with friends for a pretty cool CD.
the Gutter Twins: Idle Hands
Video: “Idle Hands” on David Letterman
MySpace | Website | BUY
- alt-gramma (371)
- indie.mom (395)
- Uncle T (7)
what do you think of Neko Case? She has a new record coming out in ‘09 called “Middle Cyclone”.
It’s going to be good. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nbjnS_RTj_o
December 18th, 2008 at 1:42 pm
I am not that big on Neko Case, but Uncle T is. “Fox Confessor Brings the Flood” was in his Top 10 of 2006.
Thanks for the video link!
December 18th, 2008 at 5:43 pm
I think Neko Case is one of the best singers around today, and will check out her 2009 release. Love her singing in the New Pornographers and on her solo CDs. I intended to see her at this year’s Austin City Limits festival, but she played on one of the big stages (right before The Ractonteurs) before a sea of people and I opted to see the Heartless Bastards (who I also love) instead. I was able to view and enjoy the HBs set right next to the stage, and for Neko’s set I’m sure it would’ve been Hell to get a good view even though I did manage to weasil up to the front via the far left-and side to see The Ractonteurs incredible set that immediately followed the HBs. Someday I’ll see Neko live; perhaps in 2009. Cheers.
December 20th, 2008 at 11:16 am