Stephen Kellogg: South West North East
True to the sprawling designs implied in its title, it comes across like an epic effort, thanks to the memorable melodies etched in every one of its 20 songs.
Lee Zimmerman
Lee Zimmerman is thrilled to be writing for PopMatters, one of the best in the biz. In addition, he also writes Blurt, Relix, M Music and Musicians, New Times, Bluegrass Situation, Country Standard Time, Goldmine, and maybe more that don't immediately come to mind. He's fond of editors (most of the time), publicists (esp. when they agree to send him music in physical form) and the brave souls that make the music and struggle to express their creativity and still make a living at it at the same time. Lee is obsessed with music - new, old, pop, rock, Americana, country, folk... all he desires is a great melody and an indelible refrain. Did he mention that he loves music? Did we say anything about obsession... Stop us if we've said it all already. By the way, Lee's also a fool for affirmation. Please keep that in mind whenever engaging in conversation...
Shawn Mullins: My Stupid Heart
With his new album, Mullins draws ever closer to a breakthrough, thanks to some of the strongest songs he’s ever written.
Alison Brown: The Song of the Banjo
The Song of the Banjo may be Alison Brown's most mainstream effort yet.
Martin Courtney: Many Moons
While Many Moons doesn’t veer from the band’s template, its lush arrangements and baroque influences make every track a joy to listen to.
Au Pair: One Armed Candy Bear
Gary Louris and Django Haskins have produced an album that fully integrates the sounds that each have forged on their own.
Pugwash: Play This Intimately (As If Among Friends)
Play This Intimately (As If Among Friends) is often as unobtrusive as its banner implies, but still cheery enough to beg repeated hearings.
Wreckless Eric: amERICa
amERICa is a reminder of everything that was both exhilarating and unhinged during those heady days when punk and pop found common ground.
Tom Jones: Long, Lost Suitcase
Tom Jones' latest once again finds Ethan Johns behind the boards with a new stash of standards ripe for interpretation.
A Fragile Tomorrow: Make Me Over
A Fragile Tomorrow continue to weave the signature sound that’s marked their motif since their founding in 2003, one that’s at once complex and yet also easy on the ears, sensual and yet sophisticated all at the same time.
Mark Lanegan: One Way Street
These early recordings offer a telling glimpse of Lanegan’s initial efforts as an emerging solo artist with his own unique vision.
Ana Egge: Bright Shadow
Bright Shadow is so instantly engaging, it makes an immediate impression well before the final song fades away.
Shawn Colvin: Uncovered
Given that it’s been 21 years since the release of Cover Girl, Uncovered could be considered a sequel of sorts.