Country Pocket

Pharis and Jason Romero Talk With Country Pocket

Posted on March 18, 2015January 14, 2017 by Trevor from WUSB

I was lucky enough to have the chance to talk to Pharis and Jason Romero from the out on their tour of the Western parts of Canada and the United States via Skype yesterday. They’re supporting they’re incredible new album “A Wanderer I’ll Stay” and I’m supporting my show on WUSB 90.1 which happens to be called Country Pocket like this site. I’ll be broadcasting the full interview along with most of the album on Friday at 7 am in a full hour dedicated to this serene folk singing duo, but for those who can’t tune in or just aren’t awake yet at that hour, I thought I’d provide our pre-recorded conversation for you to listen to here. Below are both parts of the interview and the powerful title track from “Wanderer,” along with a link to buy the album on Bandcamp.

http://pharisjasonromero.bandcamp.com/album/a-wanderer-ill-stay

Blogs

Top 10 Aaron Watson Songs

Posted on February 20, 2015January 14, 2017 by Trevor from WUSB

Aaron Watson made Texas, traditional and indie country fans so proud this week by topping the charts with The Underdog an earnest album mostly absent of the cliches that have bogged down the genre in recent years. But Watson has been around since 2002 and has at times shown flashes of brilliance brighter than anything Nashville could produce. What’s consistent is that in his lyrics, family values trump party mantras and women are talked about as true lovers and heartaches but not as hookups or arm candy. Here’s my Top 10 Aaron Watson Songs, with a bit of emphasis put on the new stuff. It’s just his best album yet.

10. Reckless (2004)

Reckless both laments and celebrates an old teenage relationship, though it seems to lean more heavily in the direction of celebration. After all, Aaron says he’d take the ride again for the thrill of it.

9. That Look (2014)

Contemporary country, but for adults. That Look describes a committed relationship that’s good “but even better when she gets that look.” Sinatra and wine are used in seduction, though, and both people are involved in making the other happy, something that shouldn’t be as refreshing to hear as it is.

8. Barbed Wire Halo (2008)

Aaron pays tribute to heroes in other songs, but none are so richly realized as the character in Barbed Wire Halo. A widower, soldier and tattooed man who treated his congregation as family dies in this song infused with hymns.

7. Fast Cars Slow Kisses (2010)

A country song about two offbeat traditionalists who fall in love on the Internet of all places. The title, which is what the woman wrote on her dating profile as two of their favorite things, is a decent play on words. A relatable love song for those who feel different than those around them.

6. July in Cheyenne (Song For Lane’s Momma) (2012)

The best of Aaron’s rodeo songs. Most of the details surrounding a rodeo star’s death are left out in favor of the details of that rodeo star’s life and his family’s feelings. The ending, which reminds his mother that the next time she sees him he won’t be dying like the last time she did, is absolutely devastating in the best way possible.

5. The Road (2010)

Aaron singes as a road. Or is it life? Either way, it the song serves as a reminder not to blame circumstances for actions but to instead take some responsibility for them. Life certainly isn’t that cut and dry, but it’s nicely done and true in more instances than not.

4. Off The Record (2002)

A painful confession of love in the midst of a divorce. Aaron was in his 20s when he sang it, though he clearly appreciated the need for a song about more complicated relationships. He does a good job at capturing the frustration that comes along with lawyers and change.

3. The Prayer (2015)

This song evokes the image of Johnny Cash in the midst of a drug overdose praying for salvation. That’s about as bold as it gets in the country world. Luckily for fans, the payoff is huge, if a little heavy. Contains the excellent line: “Lord, I am just a man, I cannot be the king of me.”

2. Shut Up and Dance (2002)

A couple tries to reconnect after experiencing strife, with Aaron singing from the point of view of the one attempting to stoke the flame. There’s no clear end to the story, but I’d like to think the la-di-das at the end are what they’re dancing along to.

1. Bluebonnets (Julia’s Song) (2015)

To experience the loss of a child like Aaron did is almost unimaginable. That he was able to turn it all into a beautiful, almost uplifting song evoking his faith is unbelievable. Bluebonnets reminds us to cherish every moment and to appreciate something so transient as life by packing light and loving heavy. It’s also the best look at why AW is so lovable.

Reviews, Top Picks

The Lone Bellow’s Sophomore Release Somehow Improves on Their Debut

Posted on January 31, 2015 by Trevor from WUSB

It was always going to be difficult for The Lone Bellow to exceed their soaring first album. And yet, the Brooklyn trio that’s so difficult to assign a genre to has shown they can somehow equal its highlights while missing of fewer songs. The harmonies are sharper and arrangements slightly less predictable; this time around the only formula followed is variety.

For fans of the first album, everything is there and more. “Heaven Don’t Call Me Home” provides a foot-stomping good time. “Fake Roses” expertly describes loneliness before easing the pain with a bit of compassion. “Then Came the Morning” is a breakup song equal parts bitter and uplifting. “Call to War” is haunting and shockingly pretty considering its subject. Links to the videos can be found here.

But the highlight has to be Marietta, which really doesn’t compare to anything the group has done before. It tells the story of a relationship troubled by mental illness. “I’ll let you in again,” Williams sings to the title character, “and patiently wait for your storm.” He refers to a time Marietta was at a low point as “in your midnight,” a time when loneliness “seeps through the cracks in your floor.” He also includes the line “what you call your family are gone.” It’s heavy and almost too dark to bear for someone with a similar character in their life. It’s also uncompromisingly true and therefore gorgeous. Thank you, The Lone Bellow, for representing such a difficult topic with such beautiful words. Even in the banner year of new releases that is 2015, this song and album will likely still stand out.

Score: A+

Must Hear: “Marietta,” “Fake Roses” “Then Came the Morning” “Heaven Don’t Call Me Home” “Call To War” “Diners” “Cold As It Is”

Skip: “I Let You Go”

Reviews, Top Picks

The Mulligan Brothers Remain Near Perfect

Posted on January 21, 2015January 22, 2015 by Trevor from WUSB

In their first album, The Mulligan Brothers suggested they one day might write a song just stupid enough to make the radio. Thankfully for their fans, they haven’t yet.

“Via Portland,” the Alabama group’s second studio effort, finds them all in fine form, especially Ross Newell. His voice is still sweet and rich and the lyrics he sings with that voice are still worthy of it. “Wait For Me” is one of the better album openings I’ve heard in a long time and though the words are simple, something unusual for this band, the melody more than carries the song.

Some of the ideas this band comes up with for songs are absolutely unbelievable. A man talks to himself unconvincingly about a breakup while driving in his car to distract himself from the very topic he’s rambling about in “City Full of Streets.” In “Calamine,” another man is taken on a terrifying ride across the country and eventually killed by his murderous friend who earned his nickname for relieving the itch of his trigger finger. Calamine, of course, is a gun. “Let Them Ring” uses patriotic language to describe a drinking problem fueled by a breakup in a way that illustrates the downside to a certain kind of freedom. There’s also “Bad Idea,” a song named for something that the brothers claim make for beautiful days. “Let Them Ring” may miss the mark, but it’s better to hear a band try something ambitious than listen to another song we’ve heard done before.

Of course there are scores of great lines to choose from in this album, but I’ll point to one in the song about long distance relationships made difficult by distance and death, “Run On Ahead,” as my favorite.

“I wish we lived forever/Oh, how I wish it wasn’t so/That our minds wear out our bodies just like shoes.”

Is “Via Portland” as good as the debut album? Almost, but it only fell short because nothing was quite as perfect as “Sensible Shoes.” The harmonies are better, this time around, though, so it is of a high enough quality to earn my top mark and keep The Mulligan Brothers at the top of my list of most promising and under-appreciated talents in Americana music today.

Score: A+

Must Hear: “Wait For Me,” “Calamine” “I Don’t Wanna Know,” “City Full of Streets,” “Run On Ahead,” “So Are You”

Skip: “Let Them Ring” “Not Always What It Seems”

News

Preview Sunday: The Lone Bellow’s ‘Then Came The Morning’

Posted on January 19, 2015January 19, 2015 by Trevor from WUSB

UPDATE: The whole thing is available thanks to NPR. NPR is seriously amazing.

When and what: “Then Came The Morning” is The Lone Bellow’s second studio album. It’s coming out on January 27th. Who they are: The Lone Bellow is a Brooklyn-based trio of transplanted Southerners who absolutely crushed it on their debut album almost two years ago to the day. Zach Williams is typically the lead singer, though vocal harmonies are the single most important element of what The Long Bellow does. They’re best described as indie folk but there are strong elements of gospel and country in some if not most of their songs. Their formula is to rock out loudest right before the last refrain. Aaron Dessner (The National) produced their latest effort. Continue reading “Preview Sunday: The Lone Bellow’s ‘Then Came The Morning’” →

Reviews

Cody Canada and the Departed Dig Deep in the Red Dirt

Posted on January 15, 2015January 16, 2015 by Trevor from WUSB

Cody Canada wants what’s comin’ to him, just as he should. With fellow red dirt rockers like Will Hoge and Wade Bowen tasting success in recent years, it seems only fair that the former Cross Canadian Ragweed singer joins in with his and his band’s latest album, “HippieLovePunk.” Continue reading “Cody Canada and the Departed Dig Deep in the Red Dirt” →

Reviews

Singles Tuesday: Tim McGraw’s ‘Diamond Rings and Old Barstools’ Plus More

Posted on January 13, 2015January 13, 2015 by Trevor from WUSB

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“Diamond Rings and Old Barstools” may seem like an odd pairing, but the two work well when combined in a Tim McGraw song. Tim comes up with a creative way to say he’s not good enough for a woman, alluding to a problem with alcohol in a subtle enough way that it feels fresh. Not everything about Sundown Heaven Town is perfect, but the singles are pretty impressive so far.

Continue reading “Singles Tuesday: Tim McGraw’s ‘Diamond Rings and Old Barstools’ Plus More” →

Blogs

On “Dress Blues” And Why We Should Praise Zac Brown

Posted on January 13, 2015January 13, 2015 by Trevor from WUSB

So I’m sure you’ve heard by now that the Zac Brown Band went ahead and performed “Dress Blues” on ESPN last night. For some country music purists, this was sacrilege. Many of Isbell’s fans took to Twitter bashing Zac for touching a song of such depth.

@JasonIsbell ugh, if it’s good for business we’re glad for ya, but man, that should be YOU with a couple million viewers, no Zack Bro (wn)

— superhuge (@superhuge) January 13, 2015

@JasonIsbell Just because fans of real country music despise Zac Brown doesn’t mean they don’t respect YOU. He is just AWFUL.

— Matty (@MatfromBham) January 13, 2015

Zac Brown’s rendition of “Dress Blues” is no where near as good as @JasonIsbell doing it. — Scott Smith (@kenssmith) January 13, 2015

Recently, I reviewed the ZBB single “Homegrown,” and while it was melodically complex and sounded great, it was clearly one of the band’s made-for-radio cuts. “Dress Blues” would be a fantastic song for the ZBB catalogue and could possibly bring something emotional to the radio as well. Isbell’s fans had failed to see what a huge opportunity this could be for the songwriter and country music in general. Luckily, Isbell, a great musician with an equally great Twitter personality, did see it.

If you want more popular country artists to sing songs that have some real meaning, don’t be pissed at the ones who do.

— Jason Isbell (@JasonIsbell) January 12, 2015

He is so right. Zac and friends deserve credit for picking this song over a girls and drinking song that probably could have made them more money. Heck, they’ve always deserved more credit than that. They’ve always been down-home but they’ve rarely done anything ‘bro-ish.’ My take on the whole situation is best explained by this tweet:

@JasonIsbell this is cool but still prefer your voice and @amandashires on violin. If it’s going to be covered, ZBB is a good one to do it.

— Shelley Koostra (@shelleyk2318) January 13, 2015

Thank you, Shelley, for adding the same measured thought and complexity to your tweet that you demand in your songwriting.

Singles Tuesday will come later in the day. I thought this needed to be said sooner.

Reviews

Singles Tuesday: “Wherever Is Your Heart,” “Going Out Like That”

Posted on January 7, 2015January 7, 2015 by Trevor from WUSB

-And with that, the first single of 2015 that pertains to this blog finds me wanting it to be March already. Brandi Carlile is leaning more heavily on the twins than ever in her latest two folk-rock singles.

Admittedly, “Wherever Is Your Heart” is one of the simpler entries in the singer-songwriter’s impressive catalogue, and one that does not live up to “The Story” or “Hard Way Home.” But “Wherever” is a showcase for Carlile’s vocal and harmonizing skills as well as the band’s ability to turn up the energy with a simple pair of guitars.

I’d say this one serves best as a hint of what’s to come in March when “The Firewatcher’s Daughter” drops, rather than as an album highlight. “The Eye,” the new album’s first single, falls squarely into the latter category, so check that out too.

–Reba McEntire is also back with new music in the form of “Going Out Like That,” an uplifting radio-ready single that’s traditional enough to please at least some of her loyal fans. Her voice is a little deeper these days, but the heavy hooks and voice alterations make her sound slightly more modern. Don’t get me wrong. This single would still do better a couple of decades ago, but it’s still good and may work anyway.

It may not be a stretch to read into the title in terms of McEntire’s career. A cancelled sitcom was certainly not going to be her last appearance on the big stage. Her NASH Icon debut seems like a more ambitious release than I once thought. Hopefully this comeback goes well, though it may find more traction in the realm of adult contemporary than pop-country.

Top Picks

Top 10 Songs of 2014

Posted on January 5, 2015January 14, 2017 by Trevor from WUSB

#10 Wade Bowen -West Texas Rain

The combination of earnest Red Dirt rock lyrics and the incomparable Vince Gill highlights an excellent album for the native Texan. The sprawling message and long harmonies are perfectly worthy of the rainstorms of the region Bowen harkens to.

#9 Old Crow Medicine Show -Shit Creek

A furious cry against a futile relationship, “Shit Creek” features the veteran pickers at their quickest and closest to punk. Not enough can be said about their playing on this song. Really, the whole album is shockingly fresh after the departure of Willie Watson.

# 8 Hurray for the Riff Raff -The Body Electric

Considering how true this political statement is, it’s shocking it hasn’t been made so effectively until 2014. Celebrating the murder of women (or men, for that matter) is not really the best use of music, Alynda Lee Segarra argues brilliantly. The last two lines should forever dispatch the use and advocacy of violence. And the fiddle work is sparse but stunning.

#7 Zoe Muth -Mama Needs A Margarita

There’s still exciting work being done in the world of traditional country and Zoe Muth may be the very best proof of that in 2014. The titular character in this song sings of an escape from her newfound responsibilities over a beautiful background of strumming and steel. The tone is somewhat mournful though, as it’s clear she won’t take off or be able to return to her younger days. Maybe that’s not the worst thing. Maybe singing songs like these are enough of an escape from the mundane pains of everyday life. Listening to them sure helps.

#6 Parker Millsap -Truck Stop Gospel

Millsap’s gorgeous raspy vocals bring to life a quirky character on the road who brings church to truck stops. In a truck, of course. The swinging guitar mixes well with fiddle and piano flourishes and the lyrics are great for a laugh.

#5 Amy Ray -Anyhow

The Indigo Girl’s bittersweet rumination on love, life, death and faith is as devastating as it gets. It’s also shockingly simple. Life can be harsh, but there’s always something to be thankful for. The last verse may have more healing power than any therapist can offer. Also, the dobro playing is exactly what Amy Ray’s voice needs as a compliment.

#4 Miranda Lambert -Bathroom Sink

Overlooked on Miranda’s chart-topping Platinum but not on this list, “Bathroom Sink” picks up where “Mama’s Broken Heart” left off. The mother-daughter conflict is present as is the theme of covering up emotional pain. While not quite as catchy as its predecessor, “Bathroom Sink” runs deeper and cements Miranda’s place as the queen of mainstream country in a way “Automatic” or “Platinum” never could. They might be hits now, but this is the type of song that’ll be relevant for decades.

#3 Lee Ann Womack -The Way I’m Livin’

Epic is probably the only word to describe Womack’s title cut from my favorite album of the year. The vocals are flawless and the orchestra tops what almost any other artist who makes sense with this song would have gone with. The lyrics are unremarkable, but the melody is the best of 2014. The delivery is even better.

#2 Zoe Muth -Annabelle

Annabelle earned Muth a rare second spot in one of my top ten lists by bringing two complex characters to life at once. Annabelle is a wanderer and a rich story teller; her sister loves her but harbors some anger toward her at the same time. The piano and cello dance at the end just as the two do in the lyrics and, even though the moment is beautiful, it’s clear nothing will change.

#1 Angaleena Presley -All I Ever Wanted

By far the most ambitious song on this list, “All I Ever Wanted” lands at number one despite having a few flaws. Religion is a complex topic that most songs address too simply. Presley’s conversation with the devil reveals what Pope Francis has said to be true: Good people do go to heaven regardless of their level of devotion to the church or even God. All Presley ever wanted was ‘a real good time’ and it appears she’ll get it.

Honorable Mention:

Little Big Town -Girl Crush; Eric Church -Give Me Back My Hometown; The Infamous Stringdusters -Let It Go; Mickey Guyton -Safe; Balsam Range -Everything That Glitters; Maddie & Tae -Girl In A Country Song; Doug Seegers -Angie’s Song; Sturgill Simpson -Turtles All The Way Down