Audio

Few bands can match the Americana spirit that lies within Portland, OR based Blitzen Trapper and their 2011 release, American Goldwing is one of the finest examples of their homage to the American Dream. More specifically, it’s about constant motion, escape, always searching for something better. Here on “Astronaut” the 8th song on the 11 track album, we find the band at their unique best with some George Harrison meets Jerry Garcia guitar breaks, some beatle-esque harmonies and a lovely song overall.

Check out the beautiful description of how the album came to be by the ever-humble frontman, Eric Earley, here .

Astronaut- Blitzen Trapper 

Barring an outburst of amazing music in the coming months, White Rabbits’ Milk Famous will be in my Top 10 of 2012, if not the Top 5. Why you ask? Because White Rabbits have done what no one has done really since The Morning Benders’ (now Pop Etc.) Big Echo, that is, create an album that works as an album, that unfolds as a collective piece, rather than single songs. Though I wish I could share the whole album with you, that’s not entirely legal or fair, so I’ll leave you with “I’m Not Me” and “Hold It To The Fire” tracks 2 and 3 of Milk Famous which feature high production values, great organic and inorganic aural interplay and great hooks. Pitchfork Magazine may have come out swinging saying Milk Famous tried too hard to sound like Spoon, but they’re wrong, Milk Famous is a progression from the likes of Spoon, its an immaculate study in the importance of the album, and it’s some of the most fun I’ve had listening to an album in a long time.

I’m Not Me- White Rabbits 
Hold It To The Fire- White Rabbits

Justin Townes Earle gets it. Sure, his music isn’t always revolutionary but he puts new breath into old styles as if he were the one who created the genre in the first place. “Maria” which is the fifth song on his upcoming album Nothing’s Gonna Change The Way You Feel About Me Now  is a fine example, a shimmering number that’s a little bit Memphis soul mixed with Springsteen and Van Morrison. While the golden warmth of the arrangement is a plus here, it’s truly his voice, the light in the gloaming, that wins you over, he doesn’t as much sing as he inhabits his songs and he’s a true talent in Americana. Check out the beautiful “Down on the Lower East Side" below as well.

Maria- Justin Townes Earle

Down on the Lower East Side- Justin Townes Earle

Nothing’s Gonna Change The Way You Feel About Me Now will be released on  Bloodshot Records on March 27th, 2012