Excellent, trashy indie rock with a waltz beat from North Carolina’s own Spider Bags. This recording sounds as unpretentious and natural as a few guys bursting into song at a bar, but it’s also meticulously arranged and well performed. I love the talky-singy approach here, and the lyrics are superb. It’s a perfect marriage of professionalism and reckless abandon. And the chorus is glorious.

Spider Bags
“Que viva el rocanroll” (mp3)
from “Goodbye Cruel World, Hello Crueler World”
(Birdman Records)

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The Mountain Movers hail from New Haven, Connecticut, which is under mountains of snow right now, so I guess they have their work cut out for them. A friend recently described their record “Let’s Open Up the Chest” to me as “hipster church music,” which sounded promising but I wasn’t sure exactly how. Pleasantly surprised I am – what we have here is big, wide open country rock, with shades of Camper Van Beethoven / Cracker as well as a bit of Cake and Mother Hips. Going back further, this actually sounds a lot like The Band.  On the single “When I Die,” a massive Hammond organ grows tornadoes around a miles-deep-in-the-pocket bass and drum groove, with rootsy guitar and piano accompanying sublime, chill vocals like a sunset over calm seas. Quite lovely.

The Mountain Movers
“When I Die” (mp3)
from “Let’s Open Up the Chest”
(Safety Meeting Records)

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In the best tradition of modern Americana, Sudbury, Ontario, Canada’s Ox delivers an unhurried, wide as the sky ode to futility. The guitar work here is stellar, shiny and stark, accompanying a delicate lyric that could fall down so easily in one misplaced word, but it never does. Gorgeous harmonies and a full, superb lead vocal, lift this from a simple lament to something far more glorious. I don’t often find myself in the mood these days, for sad country music, but when I do, it has to be this good.

Ox
“Burnout” (mp3)
from “Burnout”
(Weewerk)

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Easily mistaken for a “jam band” at first listen, The Mother Hips are on closer inspection a tight, country flavored rock unit in the tradition of The Band and other 60’s and 70’s masters of song arrangement and organic, live combo playing. Plopped as they were by fate in the early 90’s, the Hips’ sweet guitar serenades and soulful harmonies were in contrast to the flood of Nirvana sound-alikes which came to dominate the airwaves then. Signed to Rick Rubin’s American Records for a while, then back to indie life, these generous and talented musicians remained true to their art through it all, never straying from their vision nor trying for to fit into any style but their own. Commendable, but more importantly, their music is gr8. This single, “One Way Out” is from their most recent album, “Pacific Dust,” and it’s a gem.

The Mother Hips
“One Way Out” (mp3)
from “Pacific Dust”
(Camera Records)

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I swear if Paul Westerberg were born in the Appalachians instead of Minneapolis, he would have started a hillbilly band and recorded this song. Or I could say, if Bill Monroe were a young New Yorker, he might have done. These are compliments to all parties, if there’s any wondering. Curtis Harvey, at the time of this writing, has a whopping 47 myspace friends for his brand new solo outing, in which he emerges from a respectable run as a multi-instrumentalist with Rex, Pullman and others, to take the leading role. Listen to the beautiful guitar and banjo arrangement, and picture perfect lyrics of the single “Oldertoo,” and I’m sure you’ll agree this was an idea whose time had come. A gr8 new music find, folks, from a brilliant under-discovered artist, on the visionary Fat Cat Records label. Enjoy.

Curtis Harvey
“Oldertoo” (mp3)
from “Box Of Stones”
(Fat Cat Records)

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Virtuoso acoustic guitar jam fer daze. Perfect find for the slow autumn drizzle that descends like fine mist on this SuperFan’s Oaksterdam home today. “Today is forever, now that we are through” is the haunting refrain that frames this instrumental exploration of steel string slide guitar, furious pluckin’, and one suspects, a little blood.  Mad @ The Live Creek? Or Live @ The Mad Creek? Take your pick. Mad flatpickin’ from a talented solo artist on the ever lovin’ ItsAboutMusic label.

The Lew Jones Act
“Today Is Forever” (mp3)
from “Mad @ The Live Creek”
(ItsAboutMusic.com)

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With a voice that reminds favorably of Steve Earle and Bob Dylan, Wisconsin’s Graham Lindsey has an arresting way with words and a painfully clear gaze on the human condition. His minimal, elegant accompaniment seems to draw as much from European folk musics as it does from more distinctly American forms. This song grows with repeated listens – on first pass I was moved, by the third time I was convinced this is major. What a magnificent, smart, and poetic lyric. I get angry when I discover artists like this, who deserve a lot more exposure than they are likely to get during this age of corporate ersatz musik. But b4 I get on that soapbox again, let me just say: TWO MONTHS TO GO! I have posted a song a day for all of 2009, and I am proud to share and shout about each and every one of them. Give this mp3 a spin, and if you like it as much as I think you will, do yourself a favor and pick up the perfectly titled album – “We Are All Alone in This Together” on SPACEBAR Recordings. I bought it after posting another Lindsey gem called “Old Roger” back in August. A gr8 record from an artist who merits our support. Thanks, getting off soapbox now! Love, SuperFan

Graham Lindsey
“Tomorrow is Another Night” (mp3)
from “We Are All Alone in This Together”
(SPACEBAR Recordings)

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“Like boots or hearts, when they start, they really fall apart,” sings Grady. Excellent lyric. Add grit-swallowing, gut-churning, soul-vomiting guitar work, and some damned to sh!t wicked sexadelic southern rawk vocals, and, well, I’m diggin’ it. I think you will too. Tha’s wha’m here fer! Enjoy with Jack and Coke or similar. As eclectic Texas music vet Gordie ‘Grady’ Johnson Gordie Johnson puts it, “This record really is the byproduct of the musical environment we live in. Cowboys, metalheads, rednecks and punk rockers all congregate around us. Someone actually described us as ’shredneck’ which of course brought gales of laughter.” Makes sense when you hear it. This track is killer. That’s all.

Grady
“Boots Or Hearts” (mp3)
from “Good As Dead”
(C12 Records)

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Occasionally we’ll hear someone refer to an artist or work of art as “sick and wrong,” but seldom do we encounter a vendor of filth so deserving of that distinction as one GG Allin, rest his deranged soul. Named “Jesus Christ” by his abusive, insane father, legend has it the name “GG” came about because his brother couldn’t pronounce “Jesus Christ” and it sort of came out “jeejee” and it stuck. Enough has been said about Allin’s shocking antics. What is not as notorious is the fact that he actually created some good songs along the way. Here’s an anthem of sorts, of a man living on the “Outskirts of Life” and you can be sure he lived every word of. Don’t try this at home, kids. He did it so you don’t have to.

GG Allin
“Outskirts of Life” (mp3)
from “Carnival Of Excess”
(PONK Media)

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Ah, the travails and adventures of a good motorcycle road trip. Somewhere between a Bob Dylan yarn and a Lynyrd Skynyrd cautionary tale, we find Nathaniel Street West seeking help from a stranger, sleeping under a stove and running for his life. I won’t tell ya the rest, that would be a spoiler. But I am delighted to present this honky tonk, rock and roll, blues-y fried number for your listening pleasure.

Nathaniel Street West
“Motorpsycho Nightmare” (mp3)
from “Light Out For The Territory”
(Puffin Records)

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This band is a trip. Their bio is entertaining in itself, but it would only amount to a cute story if it the music didn’t rock so. “Easy,” the lead off track from Deer Tick’s latest full length, “Born on Flag Day,” features some brave, intuitive combo playing and lovely instrumental work. Chief tick John Joseph McCauley III sings with a wild man’s spirit and effortlessly good pitch, which isn’t something you hear in your average drunken indie garage band. The lyrics are engaging and intriguing, and these ticks have excellent guitar tones, too. So what’s not to like? Have a listen.

Deer Tick
“Easy” (mp3)
from “Born on Flag Day”
(Partisan Records)

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In this sincere yet humorous ode to the Nashville of old, Arty Hill and the Long Gone Daddys evoke the sound and feeling of true country music. Now, what is true as opposed to untrue country music? Well, I’ll leave that to Arty to explain. “Take me to an opry I can understand,” he sings in his sonorous tenor, as the Daddys deliver a fiddle and steel guitar tribute that can sit comfortably in a play list between the legends invoked here in song. Beautiful.

Arty Hill and the Long Gone Daddys
“Church On Saturday Night” (mp3)
from “Montgomery On My Mind – The Hank E.P.”
(Cow Island Music)

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Somewhere in a roadhouse with dusty red velvet curtains, on an old redwood cabaret stage, for an audience of ghosts next to a country highway to nowhere, The Growlers begin to play. In a swirl of reverb and tinsel, the zombified spirit of Elvis dirty dances with Marilyn, as Hunter Thompson smokes through a diamond studded cigarette holder with Marlene Dietrich. Nearby the old cold river flows, perpetually, indifferent to the souls it carries to the ocean, long after the road is silent. What is music, other than a mind altering substance? If so, this is gr8 music!

The Growlers
“Old Cold River” (mp3)
from “Are You In Or Out?”
(Everloving)

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Originally from Belfast, Northern Ireland, now living and performing in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Ben Kyle is an old school song smith whose music echoes his transatlantic journey. There’s so much heart in this track, it practically bleeds out the speakers. An accomplished vocalist with gr8 songs, teamed up with a dynamic and sensitive backup band that breathes his every line like it’s their own, well, this is the sort of stuff stars are made of.

Romantica
“Queen of Hearts” (mp3)
from “America”
(2024 Records)

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Graham Lindsey’s latest album, “We Are All Alone in This Together” is one of the freshest country records to come along in recent memory – a hard left and several states away from your standard Nashville fare. Lindsey’s first brush with fame came at the tender age of 12 as a member of the punk novelty trio, Old Skull, and he has since grown into a full fledged singer-songwriter with a distinct and original voice. On “Old Roger,” the troubadour’s punk roots shine through as clearly as his love for Bob Dylan and Ramblin’ Jack Elliot. A gritty work of great imagination.

Graham Lindsey
“Old Roger” (mp3)
from “We Are All Alone in This Together”
(SPACEBAR Recordings)

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“What’s all this about walking on air?” asks Amy Allison in her quietly stunning revelation about love, “Why Must It Be?” Allison’s unique voice and unpretentious melodic inventions have brought her recognition amongst country pop aficionados, including Dave Allen and Elvis Costello – both of whom collaborated on her latest full-length of original material. The musical combo is top notch, the production simple yet tastefully inventive. Unexpected fat sax section parts sit beautifully atop a sultry swing country drum shuffle, all of it providing spotless accompaniment for the song’s nakedly honest lyrics. GR8 work, as pretty as it is real.

Amy Allison
“Why Must It Be?” (mp3)
from “Sheffield Streets”
(Urban Myth)

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Ooh ooh ooh! I found a promotrack by the Ass Ponys. One of America’s unsung musical heroes, the Ponys simultaneously live up to their name and render it a trivial afterthought. It sounds like the name of a joke band, but no, their music is actually quite brilliant, and sincere, and I daresay sophisticated. Yes it’s true. And in the case of this lovely track off a comp from Tokyo Rose Records, I would even go so far as to use the word “sweet.” A nice lazy Sunday drive around the back streets of Americana in an old rusty Chevy.

Ass Ponys
“Your Nothing Day” (mp3)
from “iLove/Where The Kids Are Goin’ Tonite”
(Tokyo Rose Records)

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The Steve Earle penned hit “The Galway Girl” as sung by Earle himself – as one of the stellar guests on The Best Of Sharon Shannon. Just GR8, completely unpretentious, old school music. Matter o’ fact, this record speaks for itself so well, I think I’ll stop talkin! You can read about Sharon Shannon’s remarkable career on her wiki. Enjoy.

Sharon Shannon, Steve Earle
“The Galway Girl” (mp3)
from “The Galway Girl – The Best Of Sharon Shannon (Bonus Track Version)”
(The Daisy Label)

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Oh my, what a GR8 song. The Mother Truckers never fail to raise the little hairs on the back of my neck, with their passionate, sexy and original (yes original!) take on rootsy American rock and roll. There’s just there’s n0thing not to love about the dashing married couple of Josh Zee and Teal Collins, and their miles-deep songwriting, singing and instrumental talents. If you luv ya’s some roadhouse rockin’ don’t come a knockin’ bed sock hoppin’ then be warned! Once you hear this you may have to pick up all their records. I did.

The Mother Truckers
“Streets of Atlanta” (mp3)
from “Let’s All Go to Bed”
(Funzalo Records)

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For Dave Coleman, recording music is about capturing a moment when it happens, rather than creating the impression that a moment happened with the endless menu of studio tricks available these days. With that philosophy, his band The Coal Men made their album Kids With Songs on an old 16 track analog reel to reel tape machine, mostly live in the studio, and the result is lovely. In a Stones, Replacements and Elvis Costello ballpark, but with a distinctly Nashville slickness and southern twang, this is an old school record that more than holds its own in the new school world. Fans of the Jayhawks, Wilco, and the Old ’97’s are gonna love this.

The Coal Men
“Nightingale” (mp3)
from “Kids With Songs”
(Funzalo Records)

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When we come across a title like “Lust In Space” by an artist named Trailer Park Rangers, our expectations run understandably high. This record does not disappoint. I hear everything from Bob Dylan and Joe Strummer to David Byrne and Captain Beefheart, in front-ranger David T. Carter’s voice, with a crack steel string and vocal harmony ensemble accompanying him as only veteran musicians can. Ladies and gentlemen, I give you, from the storied Northern California towns of Graton and Petaluma, the Trailer Park Rangers. Outstanding work.

Trailer Park Rangers
“Lust in Space” (mp3)
from “Lullabies of All the Mess”
(FlightSafe Music)

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The Court and Spark did something different with “alt.country” than anyone else. There’s no pretense in their affection for country music, even though this San Francisco group is as urban a band as you can find. If you’ve been fortunate enough to hear them live, then I’m sure you know what I mean. If this happens to be the first you’ve heard of ‘em, then let this be the rabbit hole that lets you into their sonic wonderland. Jimmy Page meets Gram Parsons at Brian Wilson’s house. Really.

The Court and Spark
“Your Mother Was The Lightning” (mp3)
from “Hearts”
(Absolutely Kosher)

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Hot hot hot! Str8 up rubber-burnin’ soul-rockin’ country rock from Larry Pancake.

Larry Pancake
“Harley Ridin’ Woman” (mp3)
from “Everyday”
(9 Lives Records)

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Without gimmicks or slick production tricks, Australia’s Revelators win the old school way: with great composition and performance. It’s nice to hear music like this – so rooted in American country, blues and rock – stand out today, and sound original and contemporary in its own right. Real high quality stuff here.

The Revelators
“When the Spell Is Broken” (mp3)
from “The Revelators”
(Head Records)

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The great Jerry Butler revisits his hit song “He Don’t Love You Like I Love You” and takes it higher with the wisdom of a man who has lived it all at least twice. And the lyrics – “he’s had so many rehearsals” – I mean give me a break! This is a top flight old school song by a class performer and a truly great singer. Hats off to Jerry Butler.

Jerry Butler
“He Don’t Love You (Like I Love You)” (mp3)
from “Brand New Me”
(LocoBop)

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Dayumb. These cats can PLAY! Wicked roadhouse shakin’ blues rock jammin’ at a high level. Enjoy w/ BBQ and a fine lager.

Nick Moss & The Flip Tops
“Spare Ribs & Chopsticks” (mp3)
from “Live At Chan’s – Combo Platter No. 2″
(Blue Bella Records)

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Dayumb. They REALLY don’t make ‘em like THIS anymore! Shoot, who can even PLAY like this anymore!? This great record, recorded by Jerry Wexler himself (google him if ya don’t know) was finally released, 30 years after its completion. Hesitation Blues indeed!

Willie Nelson, Asleep at the Wheel
“Hesitation Blues” (mp3)
from “Willie And The Wheel”
(Bismeaux Records)

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The healing power of music is well known, and on a track like this it is palpable. A harmonica virtuoso and superb singer and songwriter, you’ll be hearing more of this cat soon I am sure of it. Plop this mp3 on your summer BBQ mix – it’s a keeper.

Jason Ricci & New Blood
“I’m a New Man” (mp3)
from “Rocket Number 9″
(Eclecto Groove Records)

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There are a number of labels popping up lately who specialize in digitizing vinyl records from decades gone by and making them available for new music fans to enjoy. You can call that a major service to humanity, a labor of love, or just smart business! Cos it’s a gold mine, really. Two such labels that deserve big props in this dept. are Light In The Attic and ItsAboutMusic.

Matthews Southern Comfort
“Touch Her If You Can” (mp3)
from “Scion”
(ItsAboutMusic.com)

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This track I just found from an artist called Matthews Southern Comfort, whom I’ve never heard of before, is a real gem of southern country folk rock. Nashville’esque production and a Grateful Dead dancing barefoot with flowers in hair attitude, frame some clever lyrics that stand the test of time as more than just a summer of love cliché. Plus this guy has a lovely singing voice. Sort of a friendlier, not as tragically damaged Cat Stevens warble. Check it out!

An inspired take on an ancient theme. “So funny I forgot to cry” – one of those lines I’d say was cliché except I’ve never heard it before! This song is full of gems like that, with a sound that reminds in a good ways of The Byrds, Paul Kelly, Michael Penn (remember his hit?) and Crowded House. A yummy power pop ballad from the singer-songwriter of Spin Doctors fame.

Chris Barron
“Brokenhearted Serenade” (mp3)
from “Pancho and the Kid”
(Valley Entertainment)

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Old skool country singer songwriter steps into time machine and casts modern storyteller gaze on one couple’s romance. Sweet, kinda stonesy, country rock stylee. I dig it.

Walt Wilkins
“Standing By the Rambler” (mp3)
from “Hopewell”
(Palo Duro Records)

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Low down and nazty blues rawk groove from East St Louis, Illinois. Heavy!  Excellent wah wah guitar and harmonica work, rock solid rhythm section, and a killer vocal.

Boo Boo Davis
“Dirty Dog” (mp3)
from “Name Of The Game”
(Black and Tan Records)

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It is well known to those who know me that I LOVE the Mother Hips. So it shouldn’t be a huge surprise that I’m all over Tim Bluhm’s solo work as well. “House of Bluhm” is a marvelous solo record from the Hips’ guitar slinging, singing, wandering rock soul man.

Tim Bluhm
“Spooked Cat Blues” (mp3)
from “House of Bluhm”
(reapandsow, Inc.)

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