Category: Reviews

Album Review: Caroline Spence – Mint Condition

When I started this blog in 2017 my aim was just to share music I loved with anyone that cared to listen but another, equally important purpose was to discover new artists for myself too. One such gem is Caroline Spence, who came to my attention through a recommendation from one of my Twitter followers. I listened to her album ‘Spades and Roses’ and loved it immediately, especially ‘Softball’ which is fast becoming something of a feminist Americana anthem. So please allow me to pay the recommendation forward by telling you that Caroline’s new album ‘Mint Condition’, is one of the best releases of the year so far.

Continue reading “Album Review: Caroline Spence – Mint Condition” →

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EP Review: Maddie & Tae – One Heart To Another

Everyone from die hard fans to causal observers can plainly see that there is a serious problem in the mainstream country music genre. Women are not getting air play or streaming spots on major playlists and this has a knock on effect on chart placing, touring and festival bills. A few years back Maddie and Tae managed the impossible by breaking into the charts with Girl In a Country Song, which hilariously sent up the sexism of the industry and the bro country tropes. They followed that up with a well received debut album and yet here we are four years later, still waiting on a second album, while endless faceless male nobodies hit the charts with ease. The fact that this new release, One Heart to Another, is only an EP is a little disappointing but it is a relief to finally hear new material from the duo, plus the bonus news is that they have been invited to go on tour with Carrie Underwood. Continue reading “EP Review: Maddie & Tae – One Heart To Another” →

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Album Review: Shovels & Rope – By Blood

Shovels & Rope launched their new album By Blood during the week of their triumphant High Water Festival homecoming. The band have recently had a second child so it’s no surprise really that at times on this album they sound run ragged, desperate and depressed, other times as exhilarated and euphoric as they ever have. The musical chemistry between Cary Ann Hearst and Michael Trent appears closer than ever – bonded by their family and the blood of these songs that pulsate through their veins. Continue reading “Album Review: Shovels & Rope – By Blood” →

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Album Review: Molly Tuttle – When You’re Ready

Talented guitarist Molly Tuttle wowed audiences at the Transatlantic Sessions earlier this year and has already won many awards for her inventive playing style and talent, including International Bluegrass Music Association’s Guitar Player of the Year twice. Her debut album When You’re Ready showcases her excellent songwriting and vocals skills too, conveying an airy breeziness that is perfect for Spring. Continue reading “Album Review: Molly Tuttle – When You’re Ready” →

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Album Review: Reba McEntire – Stronger Than The Truth

Credit must go to Reba McEntire for making a concerted choice to record a classic country album, working with a range of songwriters to make music that appeals to her already established audience. She makes no play for younger fans or the radio or even rootsy Americana fans either. Stronger Than The Truth sticks close to the slick, polished brand of country that made her name and the result is something listenable, credible and really damn enjoyable. Continue reading “Album Review: Reba McEntire – Stronger Than The Truth” →

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Live Review: High Water Festival 2019, Charleston, SC

If I could design my own festival then it would look much like High Water Festival in Charleston, South Carolina. Compact and curated by local legends Shovels and Rope it appeals to grown ups who want a blissful weekend of diverse music. The joy of this well-organised festival is that staggered stage times allow you to see every artist on the bill – meaning there’s not a lull in proceedings the whole weekend. The site lay out is simple, easily navigated and offering space for everyone. Even the VIP section, which I am naturally opposed to, was set up in such a way as not to affect the rest of the crowd. Continue reading “Live Review: High Water Festival 2019, Charleston, SC” →

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Album Review: Lucy Rose – No Words Left

In a recent revelatory interview Lucy Rose painfully recounted her experience of touring as an opening act. Her quiet and sad songs were routinely talked over every night, she was even booed when she introduced one as ‘feminist’. Feeling utterly miserable she decided to quit after a week. Life as a support act wasn’t worth the money if it destroyed your soul. She concluded she would rather play to 20 people who cared than 1000 who didn’t.

There’s such bravery in that decision which you can only applaud. I mean it would be great if talented people like Lucy were the headliners of big tours where everyone shut up and listened to the songs but that is unfortunately just dreamland. Artists have to work hard to seek out their audiences and for women in folk/indie music these are usually small, niche crowds.

Lucy’s last album ‘Something’s Changing’ was the first she had released away from a major label and it was the start of her real blossoming as an artist. It was a good album but there were moments where it felt like she was searching for her true self and sound. On her new album No Words Left she has turned inwards and the results are the strongest, and starkest, songs of her career. Continue reading “Album Review: Lucy Rose – No Words Left” →

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Album Review: Jenny Lewis – On The Line

A few weeks back I listened to Zane Lowe interview Jenny Lewis about her new album On The Line – an interview in which he spent most of the time discussing the men featured on this record, rather than Jenny herself. Even after everything Jenny Lewis had achieved she was still being considered in terms of who she was working with, rather than on her own merits. So it is pretty wonderful to report that most of the reviews and features written about On The Line have focused on Jenny’s music, life and legacy (unsurprisingly most of these have been written by women).

The fact that Jenny’s music has been so universally celebrated is important. Not every women artist gets that recognition and attention. What then can the humble blogger really contribute to this discussion you might wonder, when there are so many incisive and illuminating discussions of this album already out there? To be honest I have spent the last week wondering the same thing myself. I recently reviewed the new album by The Wild Reeds (whose music owes a debt to Jenny for sure) and I felt confident that it was important I wrote about an album that had received few other online reviews. In contrast there doesn’t seem much more I can add to the already determined facts about On The Line: this is indeed a brilliant album and some of the best work of Jenny’s career. But then I heard Jenny’s voice singing to me ‘do something, while your heart is thumping’ so I decided just to write anyway. Continue reading “Album Review: Jenny Lewis – On The Line” →

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