The Peace and Purpose of Mike Farris’ Captivating Music
Rock ‘n’ roller and soul man Mike Farris returns with a new album recorded in Muscle Shoals and blends all of his musical influences into a delicious stew.
roots rock
Texan Joe Ely Knows Everyone Matters on ‘Love and Freedom’
Joe Ely puts emotional content front and center, whether offering a tale of addiction or a mirthful story of his encounters with a local cop.
Samantha Fish Fires Up the Fillmore on a Magical Night
Samantha Fish and her quartet pour gasoline on the sonic campfire with an electrifying sound that mixes more rock into the blues power stew.
Kenny Wayne Shepherd Pays Tribute to Rock
Blues artist Kenny Wayne Shepherd’s Dirt on My Diamonds -Vol. 2 is a tribute to rock music, an epistle from a proud disciple to his beatified masters.
Billy Strings Takes Over Berkeley’s Greek Theater
Guitar virtuoso Billy Strings has been on quite a roll over the past few years, winning widespread acclaim for his energetic live performances.
Joe Ely Is Still ‘Driven to Drive’ After 50 Years
Joe Ely’s new songs are full of colorful one-liners that contain the wisdom of the road as found in tall tales, folk wisdom, and poetic inspiration.
The Felice Brothers Seek Company in the ‘Valley of Abandoned Songs’
The Felice Brothers present us with a world where we can sing along with our imaginations and know we are all brothers and sisters on life’s journey.
Songs: Ohia’s ‘Magnolia Electric Co.’ Remains a Dark Triumph
Songs: Ohia’s Magnolia Electric Co. remains a dark triumph in the face of adversity. It was the turning point and apex of Jason Molina’s brief life and career.
The Avett Brothers Are in Long-Term Career Mode
The Avett Brothers’ new self-titled album is solid but not spectacular, which can happen after a group have settled into a long-term career mode.
Alejandro Escovedo Reinvents, Reinterprets, and Rediscovers
On Echo Dancing, Alejandro Escovedo’s musical personality shines, from romantic balladeer to nefarious punk, from heartland messiah to experimental maven.
The Black Keys Hit the Bowling Alley with ‘Ohio Players’
You can sum up the overall aesthetic concept of the Black Keys’ Ohio Players with two main points: It rocks and sounds great in a bowling alley.
Kentuckian Abby Hamilton Aspires to Be As Good As the ‘#1 Zookeeper’
Americana’s Abby Hamilton presents her characters’ experiences as valuable simply because of their quotidian relatability. Kentucky is everywhere and everyone.