Rodney Crowell Is Inspired on ‘Airline Highway’
Airline Highway provides evidence of Rodney Crowell’s literate craftsmanship as a songwriter. The songs are his master and mistress here.
new west records
James McMurtry Tells Tales of Freedom and Its Discontents
These new songs show James McMurtry’s talent at addressing current issues and fanciful concerns with a sharp wit, a critical eye, and a heavy-hitting pulse.
The Devil Makes Three Offer a Spell-binding LP of Loss and Resilience
The Devil Makes Three let listeners lose themselves in song, but not without missing sight of the deeper truths. It’s a compelling and cathartic musical experience.
Sunny War Refutes Complacency and Embraces Defiance
Sunny War’s music and lyrics stand in resistance and vulnerability, evoking a reminder of music’s powerful ability to inspire change.
Sunny War Creatively Challenges Conventional Musical Norms
Sunny War is a punk rocker who now lives in the country music capital and writes personal folk-based protest songs about our mutual situation.
Lilly Hiatt Puts Love in Motion on ‘Forever’
Listening to Lilly Hiatt’s Forever, her first album in four years, one can’t help but get swept along in her romantic bliss and the music’s hypnotic pulse.
Tribute LP Shines Light on the Under-appreciated David Olney
Can’t Steal My Fire: The Songs of David Olney introduces one of America’s great but overlooked songwriters to a broader audience.
JD McPherson Adds New Wave Glam to His Rock ‘n’ Roll
Nite Owls is JD McPherson’s most fully realized front-to-back example of his talent yet, and it points the way to an even more exciting follow-up.
Nada Surf Have a Good Time on ‘Moon Mirror’
Moon Mirror finds long-running power poppers Nada Surf relaxed and having fun with the same strong, catchy songs they’ve written for nearly 30 years.
Emily Nenni Sings with a Twang on ‘Drive & Cry’
Emily Nenni’s Drive & Cry is an excellent example of how country music has evolved without necessarily changing. It all depends on who is singing.
Pokey LaFarge Invites Us to Dance for Our Lives on ‘Rhumba Country’
There’s a joyful element to Pokey LaFarge’s Rhumba Country that may be found in the Lord’s spirit, the pleasure of bouncy rhythms, or the magic of making music.
Corb Lund Pays Tribute to Ian Tyson on ‘El Viejo’
Corb Lund’s El Viejo is an entirely acoustic album with guitar, banjo, mandolin, string bass, and stripped-down bass, but it never feels like one.