Wussy Are the “Aliens in Our Midst” on ‘What Heaven Is Like’
Ethereal, otherworldly, and darn near perfect, Wussy continue to justify their critical praise on What Heaven Is Like.
Ed Whitelock
Ed Whitelock is a professor of English at Gordon State College in Barnesville, GA, just 106 miles southwest of Philomath. He is co-author, with David Janssen, of Apocalypse Jukebox: The End of the World in American Popular Music (2009) from the PopMatters imprint of Soft Skull Press.
The Feelies’ Side-Project Yung Wu Now Has a CD Release for ‘Shore Leave’
A gift for Feelies fans, this 1987 side project from Yung Wu, Shore Leave, is finally available on CD.
Damien Jurado Remains a Songwriter to Follow Wherever He Leads
Damien Jurado's 13th album, The Horizon Just Laughed, finds him as restless as the stray souls he sings about, though content in the journey.
Okkervil River’s ‘In the Rainbow Rain’ Feels Like a Musical Renewal for Will Sheff
Back with a revamped lineup, Okkervil River are primed for another long run of surprise and distinction with In the Rainbow Rain.
Burning Britain: A Story of Independent UK Punk 1980-1983
This four-CD sequel to 2016's Action Time Vision box set shows that UK punk burned brighter and hotter when it moved underground.
Sarah Shook and the Disarmers Have Made a New Country Classic with ‘Years’
No sign of sophomore slump here, Sarah Shook and her band's second album builds on the fresh surprises of their debut to announce a creative unit that is built for the long haul.
The Soft Moon’s ‘Criminal’ Reminds That Beauty Can Be Found in Aggression and Catharsis
Luis Vasquez (a.k.a. the Soft Moon) turns personal pain into an aggressive, cathartic beauty on new album, Criminal.
Indie Folk Band Darlingside Confronts the Apocalypse on ‘Extralife’
With this surprising and beautiful songwriting turn into apocalyptic metaphor, Darlingside fashion an early record-of-the-year contender.
Marlon Williams Points to Where Country Music Can Evolve on ‘Make Way for Love’
Playing through heartbreak, the young New Zealander makes bold new sounds in modern country music on his second release.
Folk Legend John McCutcheon’s ‘Ghost Light’ Addresses Our Troubled Times with Compassion and Rage
Our best songwriters rise to the occasion in difficult times like now. John McCutcheon is among our best and Ghost Light addresses these times with compassion and rage.
Two New Compilations Show How Bert Jansch’s Solo Work Transcended Pentangle
British folk guitar master Bert Jansch was a central figure of the British folk revival best remembered by contemporary audiences for his work with Pentangle. These two anthologies reveal how the singular beauty of his solo work transcends, even, that legendary band.
H.C. McEntire’s ‘Lionheart’ Challenges Country Music Standards
Lionheart is an album by an empowered young artist with a seeker's heart made for a time of growing female empowerment.