First some new notable and exciting releases in music...
The Drive-by Truckers have been at it for almost a decade now, with their 2001 magnum opus masterpiece Southern Rock Opera setting the new standard for the state of southern rock music. With that, they were christened as a new Skynerd or Molly Hatchet. Luckily, they didn't didn't go down from there. Instead, they have extended out in so many different directions, on 2003's Decoration Day and 2004's The Dirty South. With their new A Blessing and a Curse, out this Tuesday, they continue their exploration of not just the underbelly of southern life, but of any life that has had it's share of more hard luck than good fortune. And the southern rock tag has been pushed to the side more than ever. Opener "Feb. 14" sounds like a lost Replacements track while "Aftermath USA " shows their Stonesy side. The three guitar and singer-songwriting assault of Patterson Hood, Mike Cooley & Jason Isbell (whose "Daylight" is my personal fave) share duties perfectly, balancing straightforward balls out rock with heartwrenching slow burners. They are one of, if not the most consistent and hard working American rock bands out there so do yourself a favor, go out and get this album, but if you don't trust me, you can stream it here first...
www.blessingandacurse.com/mediaplayer/
www.drivebytruckers.com
In my eyes, Josh Ritter can do no wrong. His first two discs, The Golden Age of Radio and the masterpiece Hello Starling established him as an heir apparent to the Leonard Cohen/Jeff Buckley/James Taylor school of singer songwriting. But he has truly bucked any comparisons to anyone who has come before him and carved out his own place very definitively with the new album The Animal Years. He wears his heart and his politics on his sleeve and it shows right away. Opener "Girl in the War" literally brought tears to my eyes the first time I heard it, while the 10 minute closer "Thin Blue Flame" will make you think about everything in the world and in your own life that is right and wrong. There's something to be said about a singer songwriter who stirs that much emotion with his words and music. I've seen him live and he is one of those performers that knows how to wrap the audience around his finger...catch him at World Cafe Live in Philly on April 27th...check it out.You can also stream his album here...but trust me, you'll want it before you're done.
www.flashenhanced.com/joshritter
www.joshritter.com
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