Grey DeLisle and Les Greene Join Forces for ‘Grey & Greene’
Grey DeLisle and Les Greene create one of her most immediately exciting works, and the genre-crossing keeps it entertaining throughout.
Justin Cober-Lake
Justin Cober-Lake lives in Charlottesville, Virginia, with his wife, kids, and dog. After getting his BA in English from Gettysburg College in 1999, he began writing steadily, except for a brief interlude to pick up a Master's in English with a concentration in American Studies from the University of Virginia. Besides his pieces at PopMatters, Justin publishes fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and lyrics in a variety of places, including Dusted, Spectrum Culture, The Daily Progress, and The Englewood Review of Books.
Widemouth Travel a Long Way on ‘No Gasoline’
With its brains and polish, folk rock band Widemouth’s No Gasoline doesn’t feel like a debut album, but it does suggest more and better to come.
Metric Look Back and Learn to ‘Romanticize the Dive’
Metric look at ups and downs, always seeking an accessible romanticism. Underground dives may be dingy or dirty, but they can lead somewhere transcendent.
Salim Nourallah Connects Manila to the Stars
“Making records isn’t for the faint of heart,” notes songwriter Salim Nourallah, who is in the middle of a year when five full-length albums are planned.
Indie Folk’s the Lowest Pair Embrace Challenges
The Lowest Pair’s new record is steady and confident. It sounds like both a journey and its end point, and in finding peace within turbulent seas.
Linda May Han Oh Leads Her Trio to ‘Strange Heavens’
Linda May Han Oh’s latest album builds its central premise around the concept that humans will typically choose a familiar hell over an unfamiliar heaven.
Bob Dylan Scholarship Comes in ‘Through the Open Window’
Through the Open Window does something ambitious in exploring Bob Dylan’s early development and capturing the essence of a scene.
Brandi Carlile Reaches Out in ‘Returning to Myself’
Brandi Carlile has returned to herself, but it doesn’t mean isolation; she is her own awareness, embracing community, knowing what to treasure, and making sure to speak it.
William Prince Moves ‘Further From the Country’
William Prince’s mix of character studies and thoughtful meditations combines for an album with staying power. Further From the Country looks at change and distance.
Rhett Miller Reflects on ‘A Lifetime of Riding By Night’
Rhett Miller’s A Lifetime of Riding by Night isn’t an instant attention-grabber; it likely suits its titular setting. It is a deep and rewarding meditation.
Kathleen Edwards Explores True Wealth on ‘Billionaire’
Kathleen Edwards sounds as confident as ever, with a clear vision of what matters. This latest record is marked by wisdom, heart, and varied Americana.
Patty Griffin Shares a Secret With ‘Crown Of Roses’
Patty Griffin’s Crown of Roses peers in deep, influenced by her evolving relationship with her mother, but also expands enough to engage any openhearted listener.