July 23, 2008
The Avett Brothers show their softer side
The Avett Brothers
The Second Gleam
Released July 22 by Ramseur Records
The follow-up to "The Gleam" EP finds the Avett Brothers in an even more introspective mood. They're thinking about home and family, likely a reaction to their growing fame and widening scope of touring. The songs are gentle and quiet, and beautiful in that stark, simple way that the Avetts do so well. ...
July 20, 2008
Collectibles
July 18, 2008
New releases: July 22, 2008
The Avett Brothers -- Second Gleam [EP] (Ramseur)
Chuck Broadsky -- Two Sets (Waterbug)
David Bromberg -- Live in New York City 1982 (Red House)
Jonathan Byrd -- Law and the Lonesome (Waterbug)
Samantha Crain -- The Confiscation [EP] (Ramseur)
Elsiane -- Hybrid (Nettwerk)
Archie Fisher -- Windward Away (Red House)
Benji Hughes -- A Love Extreme [2 discs] (New West)
Albert Lee and Hogan's Heroes -- Like This (Heroic)
Maria Muldaur -- Yes We Can (Telarc)
And, on July 24, Janis Ian will release a retrospective album together with a written autobiography. The album is "Best of Janis Ian: The Autobiography Collection" on Rude Girl Records, and Tarcher/Penguin will publish her book, "Society's Child."
July 17, 2008
Mellencamp Reflects On Our Country
Life, Death, Love and Freedom
John Mellencamp
(Hear Music)
Just 18 months after his previous album, John Mellencamp is back. And there’s not a car commercial in sight. Not unless Chevrolet plans to roll out a Recession SUV or an Intolerance sub-compact for the 2009 model year, that is.
Mellencamp’s 2007 disc, “Freedom’s Road,” featured the catchy (and now ubiquitous, thanks to Chevy) “Our Country.” Mellencamp’s latest, “Life, Death, Love and Freedom,” doesn’t contain anything nearly as jingle-worthy, but that might well be to his benefit. He’s always had a lot to say, but sometimes Mellencamp’s message got lost in big choruses and hummable melodies. The end result: songs such as “Pink Houses” blaring from the PA at campaign stops by the type of politicians Mellencamp was criticizing in the first place.
“Life, Death, Love and Freedom” is unlikely to leave anyone confused. Mellencamp and producer T Bone Burnett have crafted a 14-song set of richly textured country blues and folk. The lyrics, which express feelings about aging, alienation, death and current affairs, don’t get lost in the mix. Mellencamp, who also has been known to work in oils, doesn’t always paint a pretty picture:
An all white jury hides the executioner’s face
See how we are me and you
Everyone here needs to know their place
Let’s keep this blackbird hidden in the flue
Oh oh oh Jena
Oh oh oh Jena
Oh oh oh Jena
Take your nooses down
Co-opt that, John McCain.
