Molly Tuttle Continues Her Ascent with ‘City of Gold’
Americana’s Molly Tuttle keeps the energy as high as always. Crooked Tree might have felt like a peak, but with City of Gold, Tuttle continues her ascent.
nonesuch records
Natalie Merchant Advises to ‘Keep Your Courage’ During Hard Times
Natalie Merchant’s title says it all, Keep Your Courage. The beauty of the songs offers solace more than anguish, and changes can be hopeful.
Brad Mehldau Draws Inspiration from the Beatles
Jazz pianist Brad Mehldau is at the peak of his powers, paying tribute to the music of the Beatles on Your Mother Should Know.
Expanded ‘Yankee Hotel’ Reconstructs Wilco’s Most Dramatic Creative Shift
Compared to earlier Wilco back-catalog reissues this beefed-up Yankee Hotel Foxtrot suffers somewhat from a case of “more isn’t always more”.
The Black Keys Get Into a ‘Dropout Boogie’
Primarily fashioned in Southern rock and soul jams, the Black Keys’ Dropout Boogie will make you do what the name suggests: boogie.
Tigran Hamasyan Playfully Reinterprets American Jazz Standards on ‘StandArt’
If jazz is America’s only original art form, Tigran Hamasyan shows that these excavations are still as relevant today as they were when they first appeared.
Taj Mahal and Ry Cooder Reunite After 50 Years for ‘Get on Board’
More than 50 years since they last recorded together, Taj Mahal and Ry Cooder reunite for a tribute to blues heroes Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee.
Molly Tuttle’s ‘Crooked Tree’ Is Guest-Laden But She’s the Star
Molly Tuttle brings in high-powered guests for Crooked Tree, a wide-ranging collection of excellent bluegrass and folk songs, but she’s the star of the show.
Hurray for the Riff Raff Discovers ‘Life on Earth’ Means More Than Just Other People
Hurray for the Riff Raff’s new songs explore different survival strategies one can take to endure and thrive during our short Life on Earth.
Punch Brothers Return with a Cover of a Covers Album
Punch Brothers interpret bluegrass guitarist Tony Rice’s 1983 brilliant album, Church Street Blues. It’s a fascinating project and a rewarding listen.
Brad Mehldau Pushes Forward on ‘Variations on a Melancholy Theme’
The truly great thing about Brad Mehldau’s Variations on a Melancholy Theme is that it rewards casual as well as careful listening.
kd lang Resurrects ’90s Club Culture on ‘Makeover’
On Makeover, kd lang revisits some of her most-loved tracks in their classic club remix form and sets the tone for a pride-filled summer.