Black Lillies: Hard to Please
When the band pulls out all the stops, there’s simply no containing the energy and enthusiasm therein.
Lee Zimmerman
Lee Zimmerman is thrilled to be writing for PopMatters, one of the best in the biz. In addition, he also writes Blurt, Relix, M Music and Musicians, New Times, Bluegrass Situation, Country Standard Time, Goldmine, and maybe more that don't immediately come to mind. He's fond of editors (most of the time), publicists (esp. when they agree to send him music in physical form) and the brave souls that make the music and struggle to express their creativity and still make a living at it at the same time. Lee is obsessed with music - new, old, pop, rock, Americana, country, folk... all he desires is a great melody and an indelible refrain. Did he mention that he loves music? Did we say anything about obsession... Stop us if we've said it all already. By the way, Lee's also a fool for affirmation. Please keep that in mind whenever engaging in conversation...
David Berkeley: Cardboard Boat
Quiet, contemplative, heartfelt and forlorn, David Berkeley's new effort is built around some of the barest designs imaginable.
Supersuckers: Holdin’ the Bag
Supersuckers' impenetrable wall of defiance and desperation remains as rock solid as ever.
Tarmac Adam: In Place
Tarmac Adam have clearly shown their ability to make music that’s seductive and sublime. Ought that not be enough?
Trader Horne: Morning Way
Morning Way remains a pleasant one-off curiosity, full of cheery tunes well worth a belated listen, its quaint optimism refreshing even now.
City and Colour: If I Should Go Before You
City and Colour’s latest showcases the conflicting elements that, ahem, color Dallas Green’s music.
Slocan Ramblers: Coffee Creek
Coffee Creek is one of those albums you might find yourself returning to when the tired trappings of modern music demand something more honest and unaffected.
Pugwash: Play This Intimately (As If Among Friends)
Play This Intimately (As if Among Friends) is as unobtrusive as its banner implies, but cheery enough to beg repeated hearings.
Various Artists: Buy This Fracking Album
As Buy This Fracking Album makes clear, a common cause can garner considerable attention if the right mix of artists are involved.
Fairground Saints: Fairground Saints
Fairground Saints not only create an instant impact, but also convey the impression they’ve been floating around the ether forever.
Martin Newell: Teatime Assortment
Teatime Assortment
's consistency is conveyed through the cheery disposition that’s maintained throughout, all the oddball and eccentric references tossed in for good measure.
Grace Potter: Midnight
Hopefully, Midnight is simply a test spin and not indicative of all Grace Potter intends to achieve.