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Pacific Range – High Upon the Mountain
High crested mountain peaks giving way to arid, sweeping, open horizons; lush, ancient forests; hurtling through a canyon before the road breaks open to a vast and sparkling sunlit surf – Pacific Range’s debut full-length LP High Upon the Mountain is Curation Records’ first official release. The album takes listeners on a sonic tour of West Coast sound, the array of landscapes and sensations California offers mirrored by the band’s broad scope of sounds and influences. The four-piece, consisting of singer/guitarist Seamus Turner, bassist Cameron Wehrle, drummer Nate Ward, and keyboardist and guitarist Stewart Forgey, is the latest thread in…
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Bonny Light Horseman at Rough Trade and Levon Helm Studio
It may be 2020 but the spirit of the 1800s is alive and well. I heard Wild Mountain Thyme three nights in a row this week, performed by two different bands. There’s no chance of traditional music being forgotten any time soon, if Anais Mitchell, Josh Kaufman, and Eric D. Johnson have anything to say (sing) about it. It’s an education. Bonny Light Horseman continues the long tradition of reinventing and reinterpreting classic folk music of various origins, from Scottish airs to 1960s Greenwich Village revivalist tunes. Their self-titled record ties a gorgeous knot on the long tangled threads of…
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The Blank Tapes – Look Into the Light : Album Review
The Blank Tapes released their second album of the year, available today on Bandcamp. A seasonal companion to the Superbloom EP, Look Into the Light is a heady, heavy autumnal record. The title track has a funky, tropical sound, a slight departure from their more summery, laid-back stoner jams. The Tapes’ characteristic lushness and fascinating, complex guitar work is present as always; but rather than their usual kaleidoscopic rainbow sound, Look Into the Light is more shadows and flashes of light, particularly songs like “Death” and “Pure Evil.” Sonically, these songs are light-hearted and winking, even with Matt Adams’ crazy…
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GospelbeacH – Let It Burn
“So the music helps, it’s everything. That’s why the album is called Let it Burn because you let those feelings burn. You don’t let the good stuff burn, you let the bad stuff burn.” When I interviewed GospelbeacH’s Brent Rademaker in July, he described Let it Burn as less PCH and more Sunset Boulevard. Let it Burn is the darker side of Hollywood – a drive after leaving a show late at night, past shady figures walking down the boulevard, but then up to Mulholland to watch the light break over the Santa Monica mountains – a beacon shining in…
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Eric D. Johnson with JRAD : Show Review
If you read my review of Gold Past Life, the shimmering, gorgeous early summer album from Fruit Bats, you know that it’s probably going to end up at the top of my albums of the year list. I missed him in Brooklyn last month and I’m going to miss him again in New York in a recently announced November date. Oh, the pains of being bi-coastal. When I’m here, he’s there, etc. I have honestly been wondering if I should use my credit card points to book a one night trip to Milwaukee or Omaha or some such place to…
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Steve Gunn at Industry City in Brooklyn
Every time I’ve seen Steve Gunn has been so special and unique. I’ve seen him four times this year, the first two with fellow guitar virtuosos William Tyler and Ryley Walker, respectively, and once more solo. I didn’t think anything could top the latter – the audience was rapt. You could have only heard a pin drop aside from his silvery vocals and intricate fingerpicking. This show may have done it! Accompanied by a full band this go-round, including fellow guitar master and lap steel Jim Elkington, the music that came from these musicians with talent that quickly proved to be…
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CRB’s New York run – the last American shows
I’ve written about the Chris Robinson Brotherhood many times before. I feel they’re one of the most unique bands I’ve ever heard, playing music like no one has ever made before, drawing inspiration from the Dead, Rolling Stones, the Byrds, and a whole lot of Bluesy stuff I’m only now becoming familiar with. I can’t believe this is it. About a month prior, the CRB announced that their spring/summer tour would be pretty much final, before a “hiatus” that would last throughout the rest of this year. We’ll see. Fans “know” it’s over, but you shouldn’t believe everything you read.…
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Fruit Bats – Gold Past Life : Album Review
This review was initially published on a now-defunct review site, hence the odd formatting. Artist Name: Fruit Bats Album Name: Gold Past Life Standout Song: Mandy from Mohawk (Wherever You May Be) Deep Cut: Dream Would Breathe Five free-association words: summery, shimmering, nostalgic, enchanting, brilliant Feeling of album in one word: timeless What atmosphere suits this album best?: daytime drive to the beach, walking through the park pondering The ephemeral opening notes of the first single and track, “The Bottom of It,” promise Eric D. Johnson will continue delivering clever witticisms that are sardonic and wistful in his trademark cheery…
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The Blank Tapes – Superbloom
This review was initially published on a now-defunct review site, hence the odd formatting. Artist Name: The Blank Tapes Album Name: Super Bloom Standout Song: Exotica Deep Cut: Sweat Lodge Five free-association words: Psychedelic but make it sunny Feeling of album in one word: extraterrestrial What atmosphere suits this album best?: of course, a sun-filled romp through a field of flowers, obviously.. home alone in front of the window with sun pouring in also works well. Who does this album make you think of?: aliens landing on earth and exploring the desert. This album will be loved by fans of…:…
