More classy folk-rock from the Timmins clan
590253
It seems like the last previous Junkies disc came out just a short while ago, but I'm not complaining when the music continues to be as high quality as on One Soul Now.  It's always great to hear Margo singing and her supple, expressive tones.  The songs on the new CD are mostly acoustic oriented, although they do rock out (a little) on occasion (as on "Stars Of Our Stars," which has a hint of 10,000 Maniacs to it).  I like the winding blues of "Hunting Ground," one of those dramatic Junkies songs that gradually closes its grip on the listener and builds to an impressive climax.  This is some involving Americana music. (I guess technically it's "Canadiana.")  I do wonder, though - some tracks have an unnecessarily harsh or fuzzy sound, as if they were going for a spontaneous "jam session" feel.  The choruses on the opener (title track) are especially distorted, which I found kind of annoying.  It's a flaw that mars an otherwise excellent CD.
2498507
Mumford and Sons have a really unique sound; it's certainly English folk, but it has a little contemporary and maybe a Gospel flavor to it.  They really go back to the folk tradition in the expression of life's constant difficulty.  Sensitive listeners ought to take note they hold nothing back and there is swearing and use of the F word.  Also on a side note, the case is recyclable, but the plastic disk holding portion is rather hard, so it's hard to get the disk out.  You might want to keep it in a separate case if you aren't planning on immediately ripping it.
  All in all, this is some great stuff from a very promising indie band.  The CD is very comprehensive and has all their hit songs, which are very catchy I might add.  Oh, and great value too.
1720259
I would hate to think people interested in Dervish due to their reputation for traditional Irish Music would start with this album.  To avoid mistakes, I am saying there are great tracks on this album, and all of the musicians are top shelf Irish musicians.  I absolutely love this band.  However, I would consider their best albums to be "Decade" for people that think in that American way (direct, straight to the point, music only).  If you think in that lovely Irish way, Irish music is a part of pub culture to be enjoyed with friends, families, relatives, pets and few strangers soon to be friends.  In that case "Live in Palma" two CD set has all of the proper introductions, not to mention an invitation to sing Irish Gaelic Karoake.  Don't forget the stout when listening.  They followed these CDs with "Midsummer's Night."  The CDs previously mentioned can be played straight through without exception to excellencet tradional music.  They also have a VHS tape availabe at their website of a live performance at a neighborhood, Sligo-Ireland pub.  I need to emphasize these are the best of the best to be offered in the category of traditional Irish Music in the traditional Irish way (other musicians and bands need to mentioned here also in the best of best category).  There are no electrical instruments, but the band's team of guitar, mandolin, bazouki intricate chord arrangements with Cathy Jordan's golden voice are the trademarks for this group.  The band's manager passed, hence the title of this album.  I sense a loss.  It is also a loss of direction, similar to Solas after their lead singer left.  The  This is still a worthy contribution to any collection that includes Dervish.
1307314
With a head full of doubt I listened to this album thinking that it was another record company dump of product to capitalize on the band's growing success. But, these are heartfelt renditions of well written songs in a very approachable manner. I've been listening to popular music for over 50 years and this band is still surprising me with their talent and ability to grow creatively, while keeping in touch with the masses and their audience. They remain tied to their country and folk-rock roots while jumping across many supposed genres to tell there stories. It is refreshing to listen to and still holds an edge. This has quickly become one of my favorite Truckers releases.
3648131
I bought this album based on a couple of the samples on Amazon, and I am not disappointed!  They have a great alt-country sound: plenty of twang and fiddles mixed with good rock hooks.  I was singing along with the chorus of the songs on my first listen!  This album will stay in the CD player in my truck for a while.
3098281
If you are a fan of Smokie, this is the album to get, there is plenty of fine country-rock and that pop sound from Mike Chapman and Nicky Chinn.  If you are not too familiar with Smokie this is a great introduction.  I prefer their country-rock material.  Sometimes the lyrics are not too strong, but the melodies and harmonies are gorgeous.  If you like this kind of music then you may like the following albums:

1) Banjos And Sunshine by Sixty Acres

2) Stranger's Almanac by Whiskey Town

3) The Ultimate Collection by Poco

4) Good To Be Here by Ernest Goodlife Band
1300225
These guys really hit the right notes with me. This album is so folk oriented, yet so blues-rockful at the same time, it's perfect. I'm a huge fan of the unconventional blues (i.e. Black Sabbath and The Stooges). It was actually their song, 'Yellow Brick Road,' which I heard on a 60's net radio station that attracted me to them in the first place. Captian Beefheart speaks about the nitty-gritty* of love with compassion, in his *gritty-throat voice. The musicians in this band are so under-rated, and yet so talented... why hasn't anyone ever told us about these guys before? Overall, yes, I agree with the reviews, this should be one of the best rock albums ever, especially for being a blues/folk album coming out of the psychedelic ear. Admist many of the bands of the late 60s and early 70s experimenting with similar sounds, Captian Beefheart and his Magical Band craftily make 'Blues' and 'Rock' completely an American thing.
2548533
Sun Kil Moon (the band behind main writer/vocalist Mark Kozelek) has been at it since the early part of this decade, but I've only recently (as in: the last 6 months) discovered these guys, thanks to internet-only WOXY (Bam! The Future of Rock and Roll), which brings the best indie-rock music in the country, bar none. This is the band's 3rd album.

"April" (11 tracks, 74 min.) brings a lot of long and pensive tracks, which generally work very well. This is a mood piece, no doubt. The bar is set by the initial 2 tracks, the 10 min. acoustic "The Lights" and the 8 min. electric "The Light", the latter somehow reminding me of Neil Young, of all people. Several of the next several tracks offer Mark Kozalek just solo with his acoustic guitar, just beautiful. Another highlight towards the end of the album is yet another 10 min. track, "Tonight in Bilbao", just beautiful. In all, this is a great album, and one I have been playing a LOT in the last couple of weeks.

The CD that I got came with a bonus CD (4 tracks, 26 min.) which brings alternate versions (early versions, I'm guessing from hearing them) of 4 tracks from the proper album: Tonight in Bilbao, The Light, Like the River, and Tonight the Sky. Not essential, but nice nevertheless. I haven't had the chance yet to see these guys live, but I am hoping that 2009 will bring me that opportunity.
2133307
Employing great acoustic guitar work, off beat synths and consistent emotional depth in the vocals and lyrics the Western Civilization has made a stand out work with Letters of Resignation.

Reggie & Rachel alternate on the vocals their voices complement each other well. The songs are well composed and have depth to them. The more you listen the stronger they seem to get and the more you want to hear. Great Folk music is a genre about finding the soul of the artist in the work and on this album that was very easy to do.

I listen to a lot of music, but Folk and especially modern Folk are among my favorite genres. The best of this type of music is still coming from Indie bands like The Western Civilization. These guys aren't writing their songs and performing to try and impress anyone. As with the best of any art form, if it's for you then you'll get it and connect with it and you'll be captivated by the beauty of it, if not then it's not for you.

I've met Rachel, but I've never caught the band live I hope someday I will. I highly recommend this album.
382588
I always enjoy hearing what the Pacific Northwest's many fine regional bluegrass groups are up to.
Mollybloom has been around since 1995, and they keep a fairly low profile. Their largely original, contemporary music is certainly deserving of a wider audience. These two recordings also show the phenomenal growth among this quintet that has remained solid with the same personnel of Dave Dahl (guitar), Ron Relaford (mandolin), Clark Blanchard (bass), Jeff Shippy (guitar, fiddle) and Matt Gray (banjo). Dahl, Shippy and Blanchard handle the vocals. None of them are standout lead vocalists, but they manage to present a mournful feeling and calibrate nicely on their harmonies. At times, phrasing seems a little forced and uncomfortable. "These Days" was released in 1999 while "Tillamook Burn" is their sophomore 2003 release and a tribute to firefighters everywhere. Recently, classically-trained Bob Rindy has replaced Jeff Shippy in the band.

Few bands can boast the sheer amount of original material that Mollybloom can. Between these two projects, Dave Dahl and Jeff Shippy composed eighteen songs. Matt Gray penned the instrumentals, "Too Late to Tune" and "Tillamook Burn." Ron Relaford's sole offering is an instrumental, "Brady." Lyrics for the songs are included in the second project but not the 1999 album.

Writing memorable songs is definitely a challenge. To fully succeed, a band with this much original material must fully tap the creativity, inspiration and motivation within themselves. I look for introspective lyrics with hard-hitting messages that listeners can relate to. "Hooks" are typically lines that draw listeners in and give us something special and memorable. Of course, catchy melodies are also needed. Mollybloom's music has a contemporary flair, and relationships gone bad are the predominant themes. Sometimes their melodies and messages seem a tad alike and trite, and they come off as rather indistinctive. Mollybloom seems to be finding their stylistic footing in the jamgrass arena, and their greatest success may be found by pursuing that circuit and following. The genesis for a song like Shippy's "Trainman," for example, is clearly inspired by adventurous tastes. All of the pickers contribute strongly to the arrangements, with 1996 Oregon State banjo champion Matt Gray deserving of special mention. Shippy's fiddle also offers some enchanting instrumental fills and twists.

Songwriting is hard work, and only with a good deal of practice will one become comfortable doing it. As a craft, it can be learned. As a form of communication, a person must master the styles, ways and methods to say exactly what is felt within one's soul. The prolific songwriters of Mollybloom clearly have talent and aptitude in this arena. Certainly, some of their songs seem to work better than others, and everyone will have their favorites. Mine is probably Dave Dahl's "Crooked Road," a well-wrought tale of an encounter with the Devil along with advice for us to seek redemption before it's too late.

So who are these guys? Dave Dahl, originally from Montana, now works as Music Therapist at the Oregon State Hospital. Massage therapist and music teacher Ron Relaford has played and taught mandolin, banjo, and guitar for over three decades. Clark Blanchard, a school music teacher in Silverton, Oregon, has performed in bands since 1963. Matt Gray has performed with the groups, Columbia and Everything's G.

Mollybloom's strength is their willingness to push the envelope, try new things, and capitalize on their eclectic musical backgrounds and tastes. They appear to share a common vision for their music, as well as share a bond of friendship. The band's arranging skills are commendable. As instrumentalists, the band members appear comfortable with various idioms, and their music is probably best categorized as Americana. The band is clearly developing its niche outside the more traditional center of bluegrass music. (Joe Ross)
4829250
The third release from Page and Co. takes a bit of a turn from the hard rock/blues format of the first two recordings.
Perhaps not quite as hit heavy as II, IV (Zoso, Runes, whatever) or Houses of the Holy, this is still a strong disk, with solid band performances and Robert Plant singing with more and more confidence. I consider this to be one of Led Zeppelin's more organic efforts, full of acoustic guitar driven songs, but there's plenty of electricity here to balance things out.
"Immigrant Song" leads things off with a propulsive rhythm and beat, some terrific wailing by Plant and lyrics based on Norse mythos that mention Thor, Valhalla, etc. Great Viking imagery and some tricky stop/start changes.
"Friends" picks up a nice strummy groove with unusual chords and an orchestral string track.
"Celebration Day" gets back to some electric zip, with a nifty little riff.
"Since I've Been Loving You" is a cool blues tune, but seems out of place here, more like a leftover from the 1st album.
"Out on the Tiles" has another memorable riff that guitarists cut their teeth on.
"Gallows Pole" shifts back to the acoustic mode with a new arrangement of a traditional folk song that has an old American west feel, with mandolins and banjos and knee-slapping beat. Nice basswork by Jones hidden in here too. "Hangman, hangman..."
"Tangerine" has a false start, then moves into a pretty acoustic strum, with chord arpeggios, and lyrics of yearning and loss. This song also has a western feel, with lap steel guitars. I like this song, but the harmonies have always sounded a bit off to me.
"That's The Way" is one of LZ's all-time underrated tunes, a moving, introspective song about coming of age and leaving old friends behind. Nice acoustic strumming, atmospheric pedal steel guitars, and emotional vocal performance by Plant. I also like the instrumental refrain at the end.
"Bron-y-aur Stomp" features some nice acoustic picking, and picks up that western twang with more thigh-slapping fun.
"Hats Off to (Roy) Harper" always led to the question, 'Who is Roy Harper, anyway?' See Pink Floyd's 'Have a Cigar' for more on Harper. This song has Plant trying to do that Delta blues inflection, but the repetitive acoustic sliding gets a little annoying. A quirky tune, but not one of my favorites.
If you don't have this disk already, I recommend it for collecting some nuggets that you might not be familiar with. If you had the old LP album, don't expect the psychedelic spin wheel with the gate fold, but you'll still get the pictures.
4379533
Awesome folk/country version of The Decemberists.
2211604
This music comes complete with the guitar twangs that suggest - and this may create a sense of horror with some people - a typical American country music album - but thankfully it turns out to be much more than that. Much more. This is earthy folky music that evokes the struggles of earlier peoples eeking a living out of the land, a land of new frontiers - after, of course, the original native inhabitants had been driven out and slaughtered. Even an apparent fixation with rows of straight white teeth does not detract from this pleasant and original album. The vocal has a lovely habit of flipping over into higher notes, and is complemented at times with an earthy male accompaniment. So at first listen the hackles may be up, but give this album a few listens, let its careful nuances seep out into your consciousness, and it turns out to be really quite good. The twangs remain throughout to remind you that this is music born of the American countryside, but it is music full of interesting harmonies and sweet female tones. Good stuff and refreshingly different.
2530147
I love everything these guys do. If you're a Toad fan from the past, you'll probably like "New Constellation." The hooks, harmonies, bridges/breaks, Glen's voice and Todd's guitar still give the music a distinctive Toad sound, but it's not like they tried to pick up exactly where they left off with "Coil." That album had both more of an edge and more moody atmosphere. "New Constellation" avoids the extremes, but still manages to offer really distinct songs. In the past several years most of the band members have made other music, and you can hear those projects influencing this album in lots of great ways. "I'll Bet on You" is reworked version of a song Todd and Dean performed in their other band, Lapdog, and is probably the most straightforward rock song on the album, along with "Get What You Want." If you like Glen's music from Works Progress Administration, you'll hear that influence showing up in "Golden Age" and "Enough." Another Glen project from the intervening years was a group called Plover, and you can hear a bit of their lighter, airy sound in "Rare Bird" and "Life is Beautiful."  So, go ahead and buy it already!
1320976
It's so good to have Leftover together again and cranking out albums.  I think High Country finds them a little more relaxed than they were on Aquatic Hitchhiker, but I think the songwriting may be bit better on Aquatic Hitchiker. The playing is still excellent and the contributions of the newer members are some of the best cuts on the album. Founders Herman and Emmitt contribute a couple of highlights in the classic Leftover mold.  The opener, Herman's "Get Up And Go" is the kind of tune that these guys have been creating to great effect for years.  Emmitt's "Light In The Woods" combines their classic sound with a saxophone. A great song to be sure, but the sax takes it down a notch. Vince and Drew are responsible for more good stuff here, but the two best cuts are from the refugees from the Drew Emmitt Band and Emmitt-Nershi Band.  Banjo player Andy Thorn gives us the fine "Better Day" and we get the CD's best tune "So Lonesome" from bassist Greg Garrison. For the second album in a row (third for Greg) these two have brought in great material and turned in stellar performances.  Billy Payne (of Little Feat notoriety) adds even more to a band that's already crowded with talent.  Songwriting is spread throughout the band's members and Payne even gets an assist from Grateful Dead lyricist Robert Hunter.  On some of the songs, I feel like the basic and beloved vocal harmonies are drowning in a sea of singers, but that's  a minor issue.  It's close to being a 5 star recording and I only wish they would stick closer to the Nashville Sessions and Euphoria style, instead of modernizing their sound.
852682
I picked this one up for a buck at the local music store in the bargain bin -- best dollar I've ever spent on music!  I'm sorry that these guys aren't yet popular enough to stay out of the bargain bin, but it was enough to hook me, enough that I'm back to buy their latest album.  If I lost this CD, I'd buy a replacement without blinking.
If you like the speed of rock and also the melodies of a little country now and then, these guy's lively bluegrass style will get you movin'.
3287245
Coming from a lot of Irish background it was not uncommon to hear a lot of traditional Irish folk music growing up. Especially on holidays like St. Patricks Day when everyone would get completley sloshed and want to sing these old traditional Irish songs.
It is due to this reason I assume that certain bands hold special meaning to me. Like old school Drop Kicks and other bands that rip up traditional irish music and make it rock really hard.
The best account of this breed of rock music would have to be this album by FLOGGING MOLLY, called DRUNKEN LULLABYS.
It is packed with heartfelt and fist clenched songs that are sure to please ANYBODY!
Some of it is very punkish, lots of group SHOUT-ALONGS, and soft ballads turn into high energy killers on the title track and WHATS LEFT OF THE FLAG.
There are folky acoustic numbers like IF I EVER LEAVE THIS WORLD ALIVE, and even some turkish devil music like ANOTHER BAG OF BRICKS.
All in all this whole album is incredible, if you are curious about this band I would get this one first and then if you like this their first album; SWAGGER is also very good.