I can’t seem to stop listening to The Riverbreaks, “Get You Right,” a strange hybrid of Americana and experimental indie pop that emphasizes tight songwriting over musical showmanship. There’s no real blazing guitarwork or overpowering vocals–there’s just a team, a band playing together, straight outta D.C.
I can’t believe these guys played The Iota, right in my backyard, and I missed ‘em! Check out a couple songs below, and I bet you’ll dig ‘em, too……
Get it cheap at Amazon.
Sometimes, it’s nice to hear some good old fashioned real music. The kind where some guys who are very good at what they do get together and play instruments and sing. Remember that stuff?
Will Currie and the Country French do. Real good stuff.
And here they are playing “City,” also off their new album.
Perhaps more than just about any other indie labels, Sub Pop has always had a surprisingly versatile roster, ranging from punk to prog to Americana. And then there’s Blitzen Trapper.
The Portland band has never, ever let me down, and American Goldwing continues their winning streak. Between their five prior albums and a few powerful EPs, the band has developed a unique voice in the world of indie Americana. Their music hits the peaks of the genre, with backporch harmonica and acoustic cuts, while at the same time jolting the listener into the world of garage band rock (“Your Crying Eyes”) or 1970s AM rock (“Love the Way You Walk Away”) and never, ever slacking in the lyric department.
It’s practically impossible to get sick of this band, because every time they grow and pop just a little bit more.
You can order it here. Support the artist!
THE DEAD EXS-Resurrection
Like the Black Keys? Like The White Stripes?
Check out the name-your-own-price (yes, zero bucks is included) album by The Dead Exs. This NYC band is getting a rep quickly, so listen now—before it comes trendy.
Get it free here.
CABIN DOGS-Midnight Trail
Rich and Rob Kwait, twin brothers, have produced an album of country-sounding indie tunes, including a terrific Bob Dylan cover.
For fans of Drive By Truckers, Whiskeytown, Jason Isbel, Wilco.
MITTENFIELDS-The Fresh Sum (EP)
Screaming, atmospheric punk with vocals that sound like David Byrne. Can’t go wrong with a combo like that, can you?
Tags: Americana, Extended Player (EP), Free Album!, Indie, Punk
Best band name/album name combination of the year.
Crooks are an Austin, Texas indie/country band who make cool music. I’m diggin’ it.
Tags: Americana, Extended Player (EP)
Orange County’s Live Oak Revue have already caught the attention of Jack’s Mannequin and Steel Train, performing recently on stage with them, and there’s a good reason why: They’re good.
Here’s an MPfree:
And here they are performing “Wagon Wheel.”
Tags: Americana, Extended Player (EP)
Overman are four dudes from Illinois.
Overman say that they “understand [Berkeley Place's] contributions to the collective music scene and thus the emotional state of the world.” And I can’t tell if they’re being sarcastic or honest.
Overman sound like southern rock with an acoustic, soft-ish side–like music you’d hear in a Dead show parking lot or a college dorm.
Overman’s music, however, is unmistakably honest.
Overman should appeal to you if you like Dave Bromberg, Drive-By Truckers, John Prine, Ryan Adams, old fashioned rock and roll, or well-crafted barburners.
Overman have a lighters-up, sing-a-long anthem called “You’ll Feel Better If You Sing” that made me sway while cooking pancakes for my two little boys.
Overman’s album is nine bucks at Amazon.
You’ll Feel Better if You Sing
Tags: Americana, Indie rock
Okay, this is kinda kick ass.
The Von Ehrics are pumpin’ country rock/indie pop–by which I mean hooks with heft, pop with meat, filling indie pop. Music that could be part of a soundtrack or even on the charts, but at the same time isn’t stupid, dull, or simple. You won’t get shocked or (too) surprised by their latest album, Two Foot Stomp, but if you’re not careful, you’ll probably have a lot of fun. And there’s a lot to be said for that: Not all music has to be deep, not all of it has to explore–sometimes, you just want to kick back and listen to some guys who know how to play guitar and drums. Oh, and sing. Robert Jason Vanygriff’s vocals are terrific.
The words “punk” and “thrillbilly” are thrown around in discussions of The Von Ehrics, and I have to say: I see that a little, but not much. Their stuff is a little too accessible and traditional for those kinds of adjectives, but maybe that’s a move they’ve made on this, their latest album. If there’s any punkabilly here, it’s pretty cleaned up. The band is technically skilled, and unashamed of it–I don’t get any kind of sloppy, DIY feel from this album. It’s good, clean, well-written rock and roll.
These guys have been around for quite some time, and I’m surprised I haven’t heard from them before. We travel in the same musical spheres, and this is some damn good stuff.
For fans of: Steve Earle, the Vaughn Brothers,Texas rock, Old 97s . . .
09 Down the Road Tonight by GorgeousMusic
Tags: Americana, Indie rock
With all the experimental indie rock, hardcore and tons and tons of hip hop out there, sometimes it’s nice to hear an album that’s full of songs. You know songs: Verse-chorus-verse? Structure? Harmony on the chorus or at the end of a line? That’s what we got here with Grayson Capps.
A little East Coast blues, a little New Orleans horn-bop, lots of Americana in the guitar and vocal, and tons of authentic Southern poetry grace this Alabama singer/songwriter’s fifth album, coming June 7 on Royal Potato Family records. Song for song, the album feels well-thought-out and stuffed good without filler. It’s the kind of record I can see myself continuing to listen to years from now.
For fans of: Dr. John, Steve Earle, Waylon Jennings, and Bobby’s “country” Grateful Dead songs.
Tags: Americana
The second album from this Americana powerhouse. If Ryan Adams used to excite you but now seems tired, this is a “go to” album for you.
Tags: Americana, Indie rock
