Category: Reviews

Album Review: Phoebe Bridgers – Stranger in the Alps

I first saw Phoebe Bridgers supporting Conor Oberst earlier this year, and her introspective songs immediately impressed me. She even sang on a duet of Lua with the man himself – at one point during the song Conor leaned on her for support as though she was the sober friend responsible for keeping him upright. The duet proved Phoebe Bridgers to be a singer with an understated power, demonstrated beautifully on her debut album Stranger in the Alps.  Continue reading “Album Review: Phoebe Bridgers – Stranger in the Alps” →

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When Motown Went Country: The Supremes Sing Country, Western & Pop

The Supremes Sing Country, Western & Pop, released in 1965, is a fascinating glimpse into the musical history of America and the business ambition of Motown records itself. This album mixes country covers with original songs and shows that no matter the genre the harmonies of Diana Ross, Mary Wilson and Florence Ballard reigned supreme (sorry I had to) over all the other girl groups of the era.  Continue reading “When Motown Went Country: The Supremes Sing Country, Western & Pop” →

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Album Review: Erin Enderlin – Whiskeytown Crier

I had a good feeling about this album before I even listened to it – the title and track listing alone was enough to intrigue me since Whiskeytown are one of my all time favourite bands and this album also includes covers of two great country classics. In my head I imagined this would be the soundtrack to some alcohol drenched evening in a honky tonk and that’s what I got. Erin Enderlin’s voice is world weary but wise, and Whiskeytown Crier is the work of a sharp-eyed storyteller.  Continue reading “Album Review: Erin Enderlin – Whiskeytown Crier” →

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Album Review: Susanne Sundfør – Music For People in Trouble

Before recording her new album Norwegian singer Susanne Sundfør travelled to distant corners of the world, taking photographs, meeting people and trying to make sense of life. When returning to the studio to record she decided to reject the technology that had been central to her previous album and go back to a more organic sound. The result, Music For People in Trouble, is an album of sublime songwriting and scope, which offers the listener a serene shelter from the storm.  Continue reading “Album Review: Susanne Sundfør – Music For People in Trouble” →

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Album Review: Wild Ponies – Galax

Telisha and Doug Williams of Wild Ponies are now based in Nashville but have a deep connection to Galax in South West Virginia, famous for hosting the Old Fiddlers Bluegrass Festival. The married duo decided to record this album in a shed behind Doug’s grandfather’s farm in Galax, combining talented local musicians with professionals from Music City. One listen to Galax and you are there, talking a walk through those fields, heading towards the sound of some of the sweetest music you’ve ever heard.  Continue reading “Album Review: Wild Ponies – Galax” →

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Album Review: The Sweetback Sisters – King of Killing Time

I’m a huge fan of the TV show Fringe, in which a mad scientist discovers a parallel universe where there’s significant differences in the way the world has unravelled across time. That’s fiction, of course,  but when I look at the charts or hear the radio I can’t help but think there’s a real musical parallel universe running in tandem with ours. Two alternate timelines: one where music is a beautiful life-affirming thing in which talent and tradition are valued and respected and the other side is the MANstream hell of popular chart music. The Sweetback Sisters exist on the good side of the musical divide and the album King of Killing Time is a joyous celebration of classic country and vintage va va voom Continue reading “Album Review: The Sweetback Sisters – King of Killing Time” →

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Album Review: Karen & the Sorrows – The Narrow Place 

Karen Pittelman grew up listening to her parents’ country record collection and despite starting out in a punk band she eventually found herself wanting to sing songs about heartbreak. Only by using the pedal steel did she find the musical ‘essence of sorrow’ she was looking for, played here by Elana Redfield (drummer Tammi Johnson completes the trio). The Narrow Place is an album connected to the musical roots of country music but thematically and lyrically unique.  Continue reading “Album Review: Karen & the Sorrows – The Narrow Place “ →

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