The Seldom Scene
Different Roads
Rebel Records
5 stars (out of 5)
At first glance, Different Roads might seem a bit of a disappointment. The Seldom Scene recorded seven albums for Rebel Records, but this compilation pulls tracks from only three. Slip the CD into the player, though, and the disappointment vanishes in a cascade of guitar and mandolin.
The [...]
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John Hiatt
Same Old Man
New West Records
2 stars (out of 5)
If there’s any truth to the lyrics on his latest album, then John Hiatt is one conflicted guy. First, he’s celebrating a time when “I had nothing to live up to/Everywhere to be” (“Same Old Man”) and dismissing a loyal companion, saying “I woulda took her [...]
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Various Artists
10 Years of European World of Bluegrass
Strictly Country Records
4.5 stars (out of 5)
So, the high cost of gas is putting the brakes on your festival-going plans for the summer? Never fear: Producer Liz Meyer and the fine folks at the European World of Bluegrass have put together the festival to end all festivals on [...]
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Boulder Acoustic Society
Now
Self-released
1 star (out of 5)
In many ways, the Boulder Acoustic Society offers up typical new acoustic music. There’s the bouncy, clean-cut jive, the Chet Baker vocal stylings, the “It’s a Small World” approach to material, where Latin blends into gospel blends into jazz, and the resulting juggernaut deracinates everything in its path.
But the [...]
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Last Train Home
Last Good Kiss
Red Beet Records
4 stars (out of 5)
If you’ve overdosed on teen celebs (well-behaved and otherwise), D.C. band Last Train Home has the cure: music by and for grown-ups. Their latest release is packed with intelligent, emotionally truthful lyrics, tuneful vocals, and a scintillating mix of influences from 80s power pop and [...]
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Claire Lynch
Crowd Favorites
Rounder Records
3.5 stars (out of 5)
Crowd Favorites collects Claire Lynch’s most requested numbers, ranging from four re-recorded Front Porch String Band tunes to ten subsequent Rounder releases. With able backing from Jim Hurst and Missy Raines, among others, Lynch skillfully traverses a wide range of musical styles.
Her blue-tinged vocals are the highlight of [...]
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Tim Carter
Bang Bang
Self-released
2.5 stars (out of 5)
On “Bang Bang,” Tim Carter (The Carter Brothers) explores new acoustic music and Americana, making his debut solo effort one of considerable stylistic range.
Long-time fans will be pleased with two new-acoustic instrumentals: the third recording of “Cracks In the Floor,” and the audience favorite, “Chronicle.” On “Dogpatch,” co-writer Alison [...]
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Monroe Crossing
Live at Silver Dollar City
Self-released
4 stars (out of 5)
In the spring of 2007, Monroe Crossing recorded four days of all-request shows at Branson’s Silver Dollar City. This album collects the cream of the crop, interspersing them with MC and mandolinist Mark Thompson’s slick stage patter to recreate the feeling of the live show. The [...]
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Jimmy Gaudreau & Moondi Klein
2:10 Train
Rebel Records
4 stars (out of 5)
Two voices, one mandolin, one guitar, and no place to hide. That’s the challenge that Chesapeake alumni Jimmy Gaudreau and Moondi Klein have set for themselves on their debut release. They win the day with an inspired mix of songs, and a style that fuses [...]
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Ron Block
DoorWay
Rounder Records
2.5 stars (out of 5)
Ron Block is the sort of Christian artist who opens minds simply because his presentation is so atypical. But on DoorWay, his second solo outing, that freshness is only partially evident.
“The Kind of Love” gets the album off to a passionate — perhaps even challenging — start. “I want [...]
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