Eric Congdon "Acoustic Wanderer"
Own label; 2014
This is yet another appropriately named album. Eric Congdon wanders about on his acoustic instruments such as guitar, dobro, mandocello, and bouzouki across various forms of music from folk to blues, hitting worldly scales across many continents. The drones and percussion aid in this variety and there is just one guest violin on one cut. Otherwise this showcases the talents and more importantly the versatility of Congdon. It is a fine record that has a lot to offer, even to those of us that listen to this kind of music frequently. Congdon hails from Ashville, NC, so I hope to catch him on stage some day.
© David Hintz
Carrie Clark "Lonesome Lovers"
Own label; 2011
This is solid roots rock and roll music here. The songs all sing out with voice, guitar, strong rhythm section, and accompanying instruments. There is nothing terribly profound here, but the lead vocal work of Carrie Clark is pretty outstanding, even reminding me of Diana Ross at times. Perhaps, I am mad, but I could not escape that thought. But for your peace of mind, just think gutsy bar stomping bluesy rock and you’ll have a better picture.
© David Hintz
Merrymouth "Wenlock Hill"
Navigator, 2014
This is a folk rock project from a couple of members of the popular British band Ocean Colour Scene. There is a lot of British style pop rock in here as well, so you may here as much latter day Kinks as you do the Humblebums. The vocals are excellent and the arrangements and production are both top drawer. While the original songs show skill and variety, they toss in some interesting covers such as the Stone Roses’ ‘I am the Resurrection’ and the Stranglers ‘Duchess’, along with a reworked ‘He Was a Friend of Mine’, taking Roger McGuinn’s song about the assassination of John F. Kennedy and adapting it to John Lennon. This is a fine record that I will head back to.
© David Hintz
Steve Mednick "Never Mind the Rain"
Cottage Sound; 2014
I enjoyed this Steve Mednick record a bit more than his previous one.[50] He usually features some fiery folk and Americana tinged numbers that will resonate, but there are some even more interesting songs on this album. I thought “The Voice in the Wilderness” was quite brilliant and had me thinking it was something I knew from long ago. There are 16 songs here and enough of them should make you want to hear them again and maybe for a long time. There are passages where his voice gets a little predictable, but the arrangements and backing vocals spice things up enough to make this a pleasant listen.
© David Hintz
The Cousin John Band "Broken Heart Tattoo"
Own label; 2014
There are four guys here who cook up some hearty fare of Americana roots rock music, with a bit more country than blues, though both are present. The vocal work is fine and the band is steady. They have a ringer with some fine slide guitar work by George Marinelli of Bonnie Raitt’s band. I am sure the band’s regular guitarists have plenty of good licks of their own in here as there seem to be enough to go around. This is definitely a band to haunt your favorite bar or BBQ joint, but you might just like this record, too.
© David Hintz
Hickoids "Hairy Chafin’ Ape Suit"
Saustex; 2013
Imagine the unruly brood of Jeffrey Lee Pierce and Texacala Jones and you have an idea of the Hickoids. They are a bit more on the country side than that of Gun Club or perhaps the Reverend Horton Heat, but they share some of that ultra-twisted roots music that explodes out of the ground with diarrheic fury. This is one spicy Tex-Mex meal, but they slow the pace at times to aid the digestion. Try it at least one time.
© David Hintz
Bonefish "Bonefish"
Own label; 2013
This is well-produced rock music. There is a little bit of soul here, a little bit of blues there, but it all has a solid rock foundation. The vocals are fine, but don’t really stand out much for me. In fact, this is all a little too safe and middle of the road for me. There is quality throughout and even the occasional song that I like, but I hoped for something a little more special from this Swedish band.
© David Hintz
Mishaped Pearls "Thamesis"
Own label; 2014
The Unthanks may have perfected a modern folk style that sounds well connected to a more classic UK folk sound, but it is nice to see many more bands capable of this as well. Mishaped Pearls is the latest one on my list on the evidence of these ten songs. There are many instruments weaving their way in and around these sumptuous melodies, but there remains plenty of space as well—all the better to allow the vocal work of Manuela Schuette to soar magnificently. There is nothing misshaped about this gem. This is carved to near perfection with nary a discoloration in sight under full magnification. Listen for yourself and drift away into great folk music.
© David Hintz
Jonathan Segel "Shine Out"
Own label; 2014
This music made in a cabin in Sweden does have a well-produced homemade quality to it like Perry Leopald or Marcus. Segel is no outsider though, as he has been a pivotal member of Camper van Beethoven for nearly their entire run.. There are intriguing folk songs and extended electric guitar forays into exploratory rock that has many layers of psychedelia to it. This is how you should make a record at home—explore the world in a comfortable setting with full imagination. Jonathan Segel adds some fine guitar work with that attitude and has come up with a great album.
© David Hintz
Reto Burrell "Lucky Charm"
Echo Park; 2014
Reto Burrell has a rootsy approach to folk that heads toward the blues on occasion, and pulls back into more gentle singer songwriting other times. There is percussion and many other accompanying instruments to brighten up the arrangements along with some fine backing vocals. It works best on the folkier cuts when he cuts a fine melodic line to work off of. So depending on the song, there is something worth listening to for all folk fans on this album.
© David Hintz
Eddie Seville "Ragged Hearts"
Own label; 2014
Eddie Seville and his band cook up some country music on these eleven songs. There is enough tempo to make it a bit more interesting to rock fans, but the signature Country and Western storytelling is at the heart of these songs. It’s not too bad in spots, but it has too many of the expected moves for me. As I often say, I would rather do this live in a club… if I’m in the mood.
© David Hintz
Tia McGraff "Break These Chains"
Bandana Records; 2013
Tia McGraff has both the voice and the way with a song to pull you into her world. All eleven songs are her originals, most co-written with her producer and arranger (and husband), Tommy Parkham. The music sets the stage, but does not overpower the proceedings keeping everything focused on the vocals and songs, but providing a rich setting. This is a fine release that should excite singer songwriter fans and people that enjoy rootsy folk outings that don’t rock too hard.
© David Hintz
Mark Ripp "Quiet Again"
Own label; 2013
I had the pleasure of interviewing Ian Anderson recently[55] and he was curious as to why there was not more musical and lyrical discussion of some of the more recent horrors of war as there had been in the past. He had hoped for some first hand accounts even and I am still on the search for that. But Canadian guitarist Mark Ripp has offered up some strong folk songs meeting some of Anderson’s issues in a few of these 14 songs. And even better news is that Ripp has a great style throughout this album making this a very fine folk record. He purposefully recorded this simply and directly, yet he has created a full sound and there is some hefty electric guitar moves that are highly effective. His voice will pull you in and the strength of both song and sound will keep you there throughout. You may have to look for this record, but it is not hard these days, so I suggest you visit his website and go from there.
© David Hintz
Trent Miller "Burnt Offerings"
Bucketful of Brains; 2014
Italian born and London based Trent Miller on the basis of these songs sounds more like he is from the American or Australian west. In fact, his fine vocals are reminiscent of the Saints Chris Bailey (one of my favorite singers). The songs are in an alt-country/folk-rock vein, not unlike that of an updated Beau Brummels during their ‘Bradley’s Barn’ phase. This is a pleasant album full of stylish playing, great singing, meaningful songs, most FolkWorld readers would be sure to enjoy it.
© David Hintz
Scott Krokoff "Realizations & Declarations"
Own label; 2014
This is an EP of seven songs written over the last 20 years, which is ultimately to form an album according to the notes. It is all likable enough and fits warmly in the Americana folk-rock canon. There are two versions of ‘What the Hell’ and while the acoustic one is fine, I prefer the searing rocker as the band really cooks up a racket without losing the soul of the song. Decent, but I will need to hear more.
© David Hintz
Markus Berjlund + Caroline af Ugglas "Time for Football" [EP]
VoV; 2014
It takes me longer to type the title than listen to the one song on this CD. Well, there are two versions, one in English and one in Swedish. It is a nice rock song, but has me thinking more of the carbon footprint on issuing one song CDs—even vinyl 7” records seem a bit passé these days. I would happily listen to more of this duet, when they get around to releasing it.
© David Hintz
Auburn "Nashville"
Scarlet Records; 2013
This is a fine lounge blues record. The female singer has a voice somewhere in the vicinity of Karen Dalton crossed with Susan Tyrell. This is a great starting point and is interesting all by itself. Yet the band also varies the sound from song to song moving into lighter jazz and folky moments as well. There are interesting songs and the overall sound is good. But the voice is well worth a listen many more than one time. And there is even a pedal steel led country tearjerker at the end. Intriguing.
© David Hintz
100 Mile House "Wait with Me"
Chronograph; 2014
This is a husband and wife duo that share lead vocal duties as well as work together often. He plays guitar and their songs are rich with a slightly rural folk roots base along with the street smarts of the city. Scott Zubot completes the trio with a couple of songs and excellent violin and mandolin fills which elevates this to another level. There is a bass and some percussion, too, as they vary the sound nicely throughout the thirteen songs. I enjoyed this record from start to finish.
© David Hintz
Keiffer McLean "Drama in the Attic"
Own label; 2014
This Canadian singer songwriter reminded me a bit of Devandra Banhart with his quivering voice and style, although he is a lot smoother on the ears than Banhart (not necessarily a compliment or a complaint). But as the album moved on with the basslines, brass work and other nice arrangement moves, he reminded me much more of Donovan. He has that easy-going thoughtful hippie voice who likes his beat jazz as much as his folk. Amazingly enough, Keiffer McLean is only twenty years old and co-produced this with his father. This is an accomplished album and should bring a smile to your face as you dig into these fine songs.
© David Hintz
Jim Suhler "Panther Burn"
Underworld Indie; 2014
If you like straight up, full band Texas blues, you may want to check out Jim Suhler if you have not done so already. You may know him without knowing him as he’s played with George Thorogood for the last fifteen years or so in addition to working with his own band. So he’s got all the electric blues guitar chops down and adds slide and acoustic playing in various spots to really lift this album up. His vocals are on the smooth side and there is a thick all encompassing sound that he and his rhythm section cook up. I rather like this style as he creates a more worldly atmosphere that stretches the genre just enough. Not that blues fans will have any problem whatsoever with these songs, as they rock with that bluesy snarl in the guitar. I am tough sell on newer blues records, but this one has me wanting more.
© David Hintz
Ryan Taylor Band "Where the Rust Meets the Rise"
Own label; 2014
First off, I enjoy the full time acoustic guitar, banjo, and violin sound this band cooks up. It is classic American based folk with slight rock touches. There are male and female vocals, which alternate leads and harmonize well to give a lot of breadth to these songs. Some may call it nugrass, which works as long as you keep your imagination open. They are a fairly young band, but the individual experience shows with the quality present here. There is a lot to enjoy.
© David Hintz
Wishbone Ash "Quadruple Suite"
Talking Elephant, 2014
This is a deluxe set of reissues of four more recent Wishbone Ash albums, each containing the original album plus a second disc of live material and an interview with founding member Andy Powell who discusses each album. These are fine packages with lots of great music from a powerful progressive rock band that real prog-heads know about, but still warrants a bit more coverage with some of the excellent material they have released in their over 40 year history. The bonus material here is a nice touch, although I wished the live material had been more diverse instead of opting for including 100% or nearly 100% of the same material from the album. The interviews were thorough and enlightening (compare to Mart Turner’s book for a fuller story), so any Wishbone Ash will enjoy these re-releases.
David Michael Miller "Poisons Sipped"
Own label; 2014
This record stars off with a blistering blues rocker, but veers more into soulful territory thereafter. There are forays into blues and some gospel as well, but it ends up a bluesy soul record as much as anything. The variety is good, the playing and singing are just fine, but it still does not quite resonate with me. It is a slick record and should find success in the right places, that I am certain.
© David Hintz
Nathan Bell "Blood Like a River"
Stone Barn; 2014
This is that stark folk record that many of us folk fans long for. This is mostly just one voice and one acoustic guitar delivering personal songs that are as lonely as the space between the notes in these arrangements. The emotions are deep as the guitar playing has a quality, even in its simplicity with enough flourish to carry it a bit further than most. Bell’s voice sounds like a worn bluesman that still has enough fire within to tell his stories with relish. There is plenty of strength here with a deft touch to bring in all types of folk lovers. Nathan Bell has a record that is well worth a thorough exploration.
© David Hintz
We Used to be Tourists "Make it Home Alive" [EP]
Ao; 2013
Although known as a German folk outfit, there is a strong rock element in this five-song EP. The roots show throughout as they have that hearty Walkabouts-Decemberists vibe throughout. The male and female vocals soar over this warm inviting music. It is quite easy to be pulled into this record, as this band knows how to work a good hook, while skillfully creating a comfortable, yet strong instrumental backing. This is a fine band and I look forward to the next long player.
© David Hintz
Barrelhouse "Feels Like Home"
Own label; 2014
This is a good blues guitar workout with vocals. I prefer this style with a pacy folk style in the playing opposed to the string bending wailing blues style. Long Island, New York’s Kevin Burke can play up a storm and keeps you on full alert during this album, even when he slows it down a bit. Barrelhouse is an appropriate name and is well worth a visit.
© David Hintz
Sir Oliver Mally & Martin Gasselsberger "This is the Season"
Own label; 2014
This tasty record reminds me of the style of Bill Callahan or Richard Buckner. It is even more subdued than those two, but the steady spoken-sung lyrics are in a similarly quiet and highly personal vein. The instrumentation is stark with a piano carrying the melody and an acoustic guitar adding a bit of mystery to it all. There are some thicker arrangements, which vary the proceedings, but the overall tone is steady and intriguing throughout. This deep little album will pull you in to its world.
© David Hintz
Amy Allen "Someday is Today"
Wormwood; 2013
Zesty roots rock is at the core of this nice singer songwriter album. Although this was recorded in Nashville, there is not a whole lot of straight country music here. Just a smidgen in the sound, but mostly this is straight up rock music with a rootsy and bluesy voice singing the lyrics with full conviction. It is all solid enough, although ‘Abbey Lane’ stood out as a very clever song with a few nice surprises in the lyrics and music.
© David Hintz
The Weekenders "Don’t Plan On"
Own label; 2014
If you like dirty blues rock, circa 1971, you may want to check out the Weekenders. This is the blues, amped up and rocked out in a slow deliberate manner. It is not quite up to Steamhammer complexity, but does remind me of the Leafhound or the less psychedelic Groundhogs material. There is even a Black Sabbath-lite feeling in some of these riffs. I enjoyed this extra rock edge they add to the blues on these songs. They could even step it up a notch more next time around.
© David Hintz
