Paul Reed Smith and Eightlock Roar Like Lions Stuck in Quicksand
The flow of Paul Reed Smith’s LP resembles its namesake felines. The music starts loud, maybe not as noisily as a lion’s roar, but a savage joy is expressed.
Steve Horowitz
Steven Horowitz has a Ph.D. in American Studies from the University of Iowa, where he continues to teach a three-credit online course on "Rock and Roll in America". He has written for many different popular and academic publications including American Music, Paste and the Icon. Horowitz is a firm believer in Paul Goodman's neofunctional perspective on culture and that Sam Cooke was right, a change is gonna come.
John Vincent III Sings Love Songs for the Canyon
Indie folk artist John Vincent III proclaims that love is central to his life on Songs for the Canyon and offers these songs as proof.
Kentuckian Abby Hamilton Aspires to Be As Good As the ‘#1 Zookeeper’
Americana’s Abby Hamilton presents her characters’ experiences as valuable simply because of their quotidian relatability. Kentucky is everywhere and everyone.
Dori Freeman Says ‘Do You Recall’ Instead of Asking
Dori Freeman’s music celebrates how one of life’s simple pleasures can raise us above our problems and give us the strength to continue.
American 1970s Power Poppers Go ‘Looking For the Magic’
Power pop has to have some punch. This can be manifested in different ways but is frequently through a hook-laden electric guitar line.
Folk Legend Sylvia Tyson Ponders Life ‘At the End of the Day’
Sylvia Tyson’s At the End of the Day reveals a thoughtful romantic with a heart full of spit and fire. The album is theatrical in the highest sense.
Vincent Neil Emerson Tells Tales of Rambling in ‘Golden Crystal Kingdom’
Country’s Vincent Neil Emerson writes songs about hard times without being bitter. Life experiences have shown his protagonists that things can be tough.
Jon Dee Graham Darkly Reminds That We Aren’t Dead Yet
Jon Dee Graham’s first album in seven years, Only Dead For a Little While, showcases the Lone Star musician’s humor, creative talent, and generous spirit.
Laura Veirs Releases Her Unpolished ‘Phone Orphans’
Laura Veirs’ Phone Orphans works because of its roughness. She’s not gilding the lily, and she offers her direct sensibility as a way to address her ignorance.
Joni Mitchell’s Archival ‘Volume 3’ Documents Her Most Fertile Period
Joni Mitchell’s Archives Vol. 3: The Asylum Years (1972-1975) is a towering achievement and the live concert performances are a special treat.
Margo Cilker Finds Her Inner ‘Valley of Heart’s Delight’
Margo Cilker serves as a stand-in for all of us, which is why she can get her audiences to sing with her in concert and enjoy Valley of Heart’s Delight‘s details.
Dylan LeBlanc’s ‘Coyote’ Has No Regrets
Dylan LeBlanc’s Coyote is suspenseful because the listener can sympathize with its main character and still wonder if he is a monster of his own making.