The Passion of Garth Brooks
Stephen Deusner’s entry in the 33 1/3 series about the wreckage of Garth Brooks’ ‘The Life of Chris Gains project makes for a mightily entertaining read.
country rock
Brother Elsey Capture the Scary Present in Their Debut LP
Brother Elsey rock out to ease their pain and share their feelings with the rest of us. It’s recommended that this album be played at a loud volume.
The Allman Betts Band Keep Winter Solstice Flame Burning
The Allman Betts Band’s tribute tour provides a noble service to the blues rock community in helping fresh faces reach new audiences.
Better to Burn Out: Neil Young’s ‘Archives Vol. III (1976-1987)’
Neil Young’s Archives Vol. III (1976-1987) is the most substantial of his three archival releases, providing an ecstatic vision of what it means to “burn out”.
Kris Kristofferson and the Myth of American Freedom
If, as Kris Kristofferson wrote, “freedom’s just another word”, questioning dominant ideas of American freedom is a potently important endeavor.
JD McPherson Adds New Wave Glam to His Rock ‘n’ Roll
Nite Owls is JD McPherson’s most fully realized front-to-back example of his talent yet, and it points the way to an even more exciting follow-up.
Neil Young at World’s End: ‘On the Beach’ at 50
Neil Young’s On the Beach lodges not in the heart or brain but in the spleen. Perfect for depressed, alienated teenagers in the soft-rock days before punk.
Kevin Gordon Finds That We Live in ‘The In Between’
Alt-country/Americana artist Kevin Gordon’s The In Between provides evidence for the grandeur of keeping on even when everything seems wrong.
MJ Lenderman Finds the ‘Fireworks’ in Everyday Life
MJ Lenderman creates sounds that somehow cut into his listeners’ heads and hearts, even when the songs’ sonics resemble that of the garage band next door.
The Complicated Life of Moby Grape’s Skip Spence
This bio about Moby Grape’s Skip Spence dissects and casts a glowing light on his work as a composer of some of the most influential music of San Francisco’s psychedelic scene.
MJ Lenderman Continues Upward Trajectory with ‘Manning Fireworks’
On Manning Fireworks, MJ Lenderman describes down-and-out characters with his usual witty charm, all while showcasing his exceptional musical abilities.
Charlie Overbey Finds Himself ‘In Good Company’
It isn’t easy to get a bead on Charlie Overbey. He’s a rock and roll singer who veers from punk to country and claims they all merge at the root.