Margo Price and Particle Kid Cover Willie Nelson

For our second Willie Nelson cover of the day, Margo Price has enlisted Particle Kid (aka Willie Nelson's son Micah) to cover the 1975 classic "Hands on the Wheel." To make it even more of a family affair, she even brings in Willie's harmonica player Mickey Raphael on the song. Price covering Nelson is a dream come true to fans of Americana, and this cover does not disappoint. The cover has the perfect stripped down country sound that makes the original so captivating. When you have a song as perfectly done as Nelson's "Hands on the Wheel," you just don't mess with the original, and Price does her version perfectly.

You can listen to Margo Price and Particle Kid's version of "Hands on the Wheel" below. For more on Margo Price, check out the artist's website. You can find more on Particle Kid here.

First Listen: New Releases for 13 January 2022

Artist: Margo Price
Album: Strays
Quick Thoughts: I don't know if I ever expected Margo Price to be the constant and steady hand at the till, but here we are. Strays is another Price album full of great songs and the sort of consistency you expect from artists well beyond her tenure. This is a really great album, and a great way to start the new year off.
Songs of Note: "Been To The Mountain," "Light Me Up"

Artist: The Bombadils
Album: Dear Friend
Quick Thoughts: Ken sent this one over and it was easily the most pleasant surprise of the week. A roots-influenced folk duo, the married couple have a lovely little record here with some memorable tracks and just a feel-good mood across the board. I was repeatedly surprised throughout the whole runtime, and the musicianship is as good as the songwriting. Definitely looking forward to digging into their back catalog.
Songs of Note: "Through and Through," "Records and Rent," "Dangling Like Keys"

Artist: Kovacs
Album: Child of Sin
Quick Thoughts: I really enjoyed Sharon Kovacs's 2018 effort, as she has an interesting presentation along with a distinct and powerful voice. This new album feels like it pushes the boundaries even further, with attention-grabbing vocals and songs that stick with you. I think I realized I'd like this with "Goldmine," and thought it was one of the better listens of the week by the time "Bang Bang" was done. If she's an acquired taste, this is the moment to acquire it. A great listen.
Songs of Note: "Goldmine," "Bang Bang," "High Tide"

Artist: Ea$y Money, Chilla Jones, and DJ Manipulator
Album: Ea$y & Chill
Quick Thoughts: These three musicians are all Massachusetts-based, and serves as a great reminder that, for all the indie rock we feature here and the metalhead mecca that Worcester provides, the local rap scene is alive and well and doesn't end with Joyner Lucas. There's really something for everyone here, which is why I loved it so much - "Shaq & Kobe" is exactly what you think it is, "Catch a Vibe" wouldn't seem out of place in early 1990s rap radio, and on and on. This is a week with a few solid rap records, so make sure this one tops your list.
Songs of Note: "Shaq & Kobe," "Pass the Burner," "Catch a Vibe," "All Bad," "Mental Health Check"

Artist: Belle and Sebastian
Album: Late Developers
Quick Thoughts: Everyone who has listened to Belle and Sebastian since the turn of the century has a time when they felt as if the band wasn't really for them anymore. For me, the God Help the Girl/The Life Pursuit era was likely the last time I was truly excited for a B&S release, but I've kept up with them nonetheless. I did not expect Late Developers to resonate at all, but it turns out it's not only a great record, but it feels like a great Belle and Sebastian record. Some songs feel classic, others a modern twist on the old favorite, and even the out-there stuff like opening track "Juliet Naked" and what sounds like a Eurovision audition in "I Don't Know What You See In Me" feel fresh and pure. This was a welcome surprise and a great return to form.
Songs of Note: "Give a Little Time," "The Evening Star," "When You're Not With Me," "I Don't Know What You See In Me"

Artist: Space Camp
Album: GOLD STAR
Quick Thoughts: Something special has to accompany really noisy dissonant rock music, and Space Camp has it in spades. A band out of Connecticut, this is angry and angular and feels like a car crash, and yet it all works? It's all marvelous? I don't know how to explain it, but this worked really well for me and I think it's worth the time.
Songs of Note: "WE HAVE DECIDED TO STAN FOREVER," "CRUNCH HOUSE BATHROOM," "REST CURE"

Artist: Tujiko Noriko
Album: Crepuscule I & II
Quick Thoughts: I wanted to take a moment to highlight this double album reissue. Ambient music, modern classical, whatever you want to call it, it sometimes has a really steep entry point. I don't know what it is specifically about Crepuscule I & II that really resonated with me, but it's really a great listen to trip up on this week and one I recommend taking some time with.

Of note:

* Billy Nomates - CACTI (Not as weird and outsidery as her last effort, yet still pretty great.)
* 99LETTERS - Kaibou Zukan (Very surprising and compelling electronic/ambient stuff.)
* Guts Club - CLIFFS/WALLS (As far as really noisy albums go, this is excellent.)
* Devil Love - Devil Love (Sneaky good with potential to be a grower.)
* Kilynn Lunsford - Custodians of Human Succession
* CVC - Get Real
* Leila Moss - Internal Working Model
* Rozi Plain - Prize
* Skyzoo and The Other Guys - The Mind of a Saint
* Marlody - I'm Not Sure At All
* poolblood - mole
* James Yorkston, Nina Persson, and The Second Hand Orchestra - The Great White Sea Eagle
* Declaime and Madlib - In the Beginning (Vol. 3)
* Juni Habel - Carvings
* Cheap City - Ten Years Without Rami Holding
* Fizzy Blood - Pan Am Blues

EPs:

* Peel Dream Magazine - Magic is Pocketed
* Giant Swan - Fantasy Food
* Memphis LK - Too Much Fun
* Etta Marcus - Heart-Shaped Bruise

Also out:

* The Subways - Uncertain Joys
* Winters Lane - Photo Album
* Helvetia - You Shot Past the Moon Scapegoat
* Dudes - Eternal is the Fruit
* Ernie Vincent - Original Dap King
* The Baboon Show - God Bless You All

Margo Price - "Lydia"

Margo Price has been easing away from her classic country sound to a more rock based one, but her latest single sees her taking a step back towards country once again. "Lydia" is a song that is mostly just Price with an acoustic guitar with some strings in the background to set the mood. It's really the strings that set the tone for this song. Typically violins add a lush and beautiful background to a song, but with "Lydia" it sounds more like it's setting the tone for a horror movie. All of the elements of a lovely acoustic folk song are present, but instead Price gives us one of the most anxiety inducing songs of the year, and I mean that as a compliment. 

In an email to fans, Margo Price says of the new song:

"I wrote Lydia in one sitting in a tiny hotel room after walking around the city of Vancouver one day. I was jet lagged and feeling really depressed, hopeless, but instead of taking a nap, I picked up the guitar and the words just flowed out all in one quick moment. I hit record on my phone to make a demo and so sort of blacked out or went into this meditative state and boom- eight minutes later, I had this song. 

"The song feels like a premonition now, with women’s rights being stripped and all the abortion bans happening. When I listen back, I hear what might go through a woman’s mind when she has a difficult decision to make about her body, her choices and her future." 

You can listen to "Lydia" below. Strays is due out January 13 and can be pre-ordered/pre-saved here. For more on Margo Price, check out the artist's website.

Margo Price Covers Sleater-Kinney

Photo via Facebook

There's an upcoming tribute album for Sleater-Kinney's iconic album Dig Me Out due this Friday, and the latest single is one I've been waiting for since the project was announced. Neo-country icon Margo Price is covering "Turn It On." What would Margo Price sound like covering a riot grrl classic? Turns out she sounds a lot like Margo Price. This is the kind of cover that shows an artist reworking a song into their own style. "Turn It On" sounds like Price's current musical output. It has more of a rock base with just the slightest hints of her country sound. Sure, Price rocks a little harder than we've heard her rock before, at least on record. If you've seen Price live, you know that her show has at least one jam session with the band reaching this level of heaviness. But if you think you want to hear Margo Price covering Sleater-Kinney, you have no idea how much you're going to dig this one.

You can watch the lyric video for Margo Price's cover of "Turn It On" below. Dig Me In: A Dig Me Out Covers Album is due out October 21. The album can be pre-ordered here with 25% of net proceeds going to the Sexual & Gender Minority Resource Center. For more on Margo Price, check out the artist's website.

Margo Price - "Change of Heart"

Photo via Facebook

If you had told me that Margo Price was going to stray from her classic country sound, I would have been furious and refused to like any new music purely on principle. However, her new music and new sound is completely irresistible. "Change of Heart" is this funky rock and pop song with nary a hint of Price's typical country sound. If anything, "Change of Heart" is more New Wave influenced than country. To me this sounds like Tom Petty's early 80's dalliance into New Wave while keeping some classic rock and country roots intact. At this point, Margo Price can do literally no wrong, and I'll accept anything she wants to throw at me with glee.

You can watch the video for "Change of Heart" below. Strays is due out January 13 and can be pre-ordered/pre-saved here. For more on Margo Price, check out the artist's website.

Margo Price - "Been to the Mountain"

The latest single from Margo Price is fairly hard to define. "Been to the Mountain" continues her move away from pure country into a more rock based sound. Her love of Tom Petty has been showing lately, and there is definitely some Petty in this one. But, "Been to the Mountain" has a lot more pop in it than you'd get with a Petty song. It's not quite a dance song, but there are some pretty strong dance elements here. Price has constructed this unique yet familiar groovy and funky rock song tinged with country and pop. If you had told me a few years back that I'd be psyched about Margo Price expanding her sound out of country, I never would have believed it, but "Been to the Mountain" is a thrilling expansion of her sonic repertoire! 

You can watch the video for "Been to the Mountain" below. The single is available now via Loma Vista Records. For more on Margo Price, check out the artist's website.

Margo Price - "Long Live the King"

Photo via Facebook

Any new music from Margo Price is going to be more than welcome here, so we're thrilled that she's making a song from her new singles club, A Series of Rumors. "Long Live the King" is a tribute to Elvis Presley, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and John Lennon. Each man is given his own verse that not only explains what made each one great and their deaths but also mentions their flaws. The song goes a little more country than last year's That's How Rumors Get Started, but it would also have fit on that album. It's a lovely country rock ballad with plenty of soul and gospel thrown in for good measure.

In a press release, Margo Price says of the new song:

“‘Long Live the King’ is a song about three extraordinary men who changed the course of history for the better. But no one is without flaw and they each had a duality in their personalities. This song is also about not idolizing celebrities or putting people up on a pedestal because we are all human and we all make mistakes.”

You can listen to "Long Live the King" below. You can sign up for A Series of Rumors here. For more on Margo Price, check out the artist's website.

Margo Price Covers Joni Mitchell

In a kinda sorta Christmas song, Margo Price has released a cover of Joni Mitchell's beyond iconic song "River." The cover is just Price at a piano singing, and it's absolutely lovely. Recorded live, the song is such a magical and straightforward version of Mitchell's song. It's perfect for fans of either or both artists. Joni Mitchell fans are going to be ultra-critical of any cover of any of her songs, particularly this one. I can't see even the biggest Mitchell purist not enjoying Price's version of "River." It's also such a showcase for Price's talent that even fans of her unfamiliar with Mitchell are going to become enamored with the cover.

You can watch the video for Margo Price's cover of "River" below. For more on Margo Price, check out the artist's website.

First Listen: New Releases for 10 July

Artist: Kalen and Aslyn
Album: Back of Our Minds
Quick Description: Gorgeous rootsy folk.
Why You Should Listen: One of many male/female folk duos, but they're the real deal.
Overall Thoughts: Ken sent this over to me, and I'm glad he did, because this was super beautiful in so many ways. The songs are fairly straightforward, but the production value feels just right and the tone of this so surprisingly pleasant. We've had a few winners as of late with these folk duos, and I'm glad this hit my radar.
Recommendation: Absolutely worth the time.

Artist: TJO/Tara Jane O'Neil
Album: Songs for Peacock
Quick Description: A minimalist electronic mixtape.
Why You Should Listen: Tara Jane O'Neil has done a lot of great music so far.
Overall Thoughts: Her first big release under the TJO moniker, this is a covers album with a lot of interesting... everything. As musically compelling as it is compelling in terms of the song choices being made, this is something that I really enjoyed even if it may be more a curiosity piece for many. I am always down for interesting covers, and this has plenty, and I'm glad it's in O'Neil's catalog.
Recommendation: Give this one a shot.

Artist: Gillian Welch and David Rawlings
Album: All the Good Times
Quick Description: Latest from the folk royalty.
Why You Should Listen: Welch and Rawlings rarely misstep.
Overall Thoughts: Another covers album, this one has plenty of what we expect from Welch and Rawlings along with some great takes on folk standards and important songs in the canon alike. No one sounds quite like them, for sure, but I am glad they're back for another round.
Recommendation: A must-listen.

Artist: Kestrels
Album: Dream or Don't Dream
Quick Description: Feels like you got transported to alt-rock radio circa 1994.
Why You Should Listen: It's better than just a hit of nostalgia.
Overall Thoughts: The first song I heard off this was the one that featured J. Mascis, so it's no surprise that the rest of the album sounds like it could have come from a band that opened for Dinosaur Jr. back in the day. Everything, from the guitars to the production, are spot on, and have that timeless quality to them. Anyone who comes from our era will love this.
Recommendation: Make time for it.

Artist: Margo Price
Album: That's How Rumors Get Started
Quick Description: Latest album from the country songstress.
Why You Should Listen: This album should cement her as one of the best current country singers going.
Overall Thoughts: Margo Price has always been great, and this album is absolutely no different in that regard. On her third album, the title track once again sets a nice tone before sending us off into a classic country journey. I loved it from the first few notes, and I loved the whole thing to the very end.
Recommendation: One of the best of the week.

Artist: Rufus Wainwright
Album: Unfollow the Rules
Quick Description: Indie-adjacent troubadour's latest.
Why You Should Listen: This may be his best effort in decades.
Overall Thoughts: I saw Rufus Wainwright a few times in concert back in the day, and I still think his best effort was his second one, Cigarettes and Chocolate Milk. While his cabaret-style musical presentation is one that hasn't worked 100% of the time, this album feels much more mature while still going back to the basics, and I feel like it's why the whole thing works so well. I wasn't sure I'd be into it, but this ended up being one of my favorites this week, and I'm hoping it has some real staying power.
Recommendation: Give this a shot.

Artist: The Beths
Album: Jump Rope Gazers
Quick Description: Long-awaited follow-up album by a blog favorite.
Why You Should Listen: No sophomore slump here.
Overall Thoughts: Too many times, a debut comes out that I just play to death, and then the second effort comes out and it just doesn't have that same feeling. Not so with The Beths, who have absolutely expanded their power pop palate a bit while still staying true to what set them apart to start. While I don't know what a jump rope gazer is, I know that this album doesn't have a misstep on it. Another solid listen this week.
Recommendation: Don't miss out on this one.

Artist: David Wax Museum
Album: Carpenter Bird: Revisited (10th Anniversary Edition)
Quick Description: A reissue of one of the band's early albums.
Why You Should Listen: It's a great album without the perks of the reissue.
Overall Thoughts: We don't generally talk about reissues at length here, but I'll make an exception for David Wax Museum, a band we love to death here. Carpenter Bird was probably the album that got Ken and I into the band to begin with, it has my second favorite DWM song ("I Have Wasted My Life"), and it's great how well this album holds up, especially with the shift in sound DWM has taken over the years. If you missed this the first time around, don't wait to listen.
Recommendation: Worth the revisit.

Artist: Riverby
Album: Smart Mouth
Overall Thoughts: I don't usually highlight the seven song releases anymore, but I had to make an exception for Riverby's new album release, which is a great slice of alt-rock that I didn't expect to get this week. Keep this on your radar, because Riverby should be much bigger than they are.

Of note:

* Apollo Brown and Che Noir - As God Intended (A solid rap album.)
* My Morning Jacket - The Waterfall II (Jam band music for people who don't like jam bands?)
* The Streets - None of Us Are Getting Out of This Life Alive (This might be my favorite Streets effort since the breakout ages ago.)
* 100 gecs - 1000 gecs and the Tree of Clues (Absolutely insane remix album.)
* Lou Canon - Audomatic Baby
* Bob Nanna - Celebration States
* The Jayhawks - XOXO
* Kacy Hill - Is It Selfish If We Talk About Me Again?
* Ncza Lines - Pure Luxury
* Julianna Barwick - Healing is a Miracle

EPs:

* Ellis - Bedroom Covers
* Moscow Apartment - Better Daughter
* Dallas Acid - The Spiral Ambience
* The Juan Maclean - Here in the Twilight
* Peel Dream Magazine - Moral Panics
* Jerry Lehane - Jerry Lehane
* NNAMDI - Black Plight EP
* Skee Mask - Iss005
* The Young Fresh Fellows - Exit Ramp
* Moscow Apartment - Better Daughter
/ Elle King - In Isolation
* Overcoats - The Fight (Continued)

Also out:

* The Milk Carton Kids - Live from Lincoln Theatre
* Torres - Live in Berlin
* Lyam - N_O CALLER ID

Margo Price - "Twinkle Twinkle"

Photo by Bobbi Rich

It's no shocker that the newest song from Margo Price is great. It would be bigger news if it wasn't. What's surprising is how different "Twinkle Twinkle" is from anything else we've heard from Price in the past. Her new album was produced by Sturgill Simpson and Price, and if you were to think That's How Rumors Get Started would be a little more rock with Sturgill producing, you'd be right. "Twinkle Twinkle" takes Price's trademark perfected old school 70's rhinestone country and mixes it with garage rock. I guess she decided if the country establishment won't give her the respect she truly deserves, she's going to go off and make her own sound. And thank goodness for that. "Twinkle Twinkle" is a masterpiece, and shows an artist coming into her own comfortably. 

You can watch the video for "Twinkle Twinkle" below. That's How Rumors Get Started, the new album from Margo Price, will be out May 8 on Loma Vista. You can pre-order your copy here. For more on Margo Price, check out her website.

Margo Price - "Stone Me"

If you've been with us for a while, you know that we've been huge fans of Margo Price for a while. With the release of a new song, we're obviously thrilled and have to bring it to you. "Stone Me" is a slight change in sound for Price. It's less classic 70's country and more modern, mainstream folk. That being said, it fits perfectly into Price's existing catalog, and there's nothing here fans won't like. It's still Price's distinct voice, and her fierceness remains intact no matter how mellow the song is. Not many people could pull off the lyrics "Love me, hate me / Desecrate me / Call me a bitch  / then call me baby / You don't know me / You don't own me / Yeah that's no way / To stone me" in a ballad quite like Price does.

You can listen to "Stone Me" below. The song is available as a download here via Loma Vista Recordings. For more on Margo Price, check out her website.

Mercury Rev and Margo Price Cover Bobbie Gentry

Photo by Ken Sears
Green River Festival 2016

Mercury Rev are probably not the most obvious choice to release a full album of Bobbie Gentry covers. Psychedelic indie rock and the classic 60's and 70's country star may seem like an odd pairing, but if their version of "Sermon" is any indication, this could be an early candidate for Album of the Year. The Delta Sweete Revisited (covering the entirety of 1968's concept album The Delta Sweete) has Mercury Rev pairing with a different singer for each song. For "Sermon," they join with Gentry superfan Margo Price. The result is near perfection. Mercury Rev fills the song with a shoegaze level of backing fuzz mixed with rhinestone country while Price's vocals soar above the whole mixture. It's somehow very fitting to the original while completely re-imagining the song. 

You can listen to Mercury Rev and Margo Price's cover of "Sermon" below. The Delta Sweete Revisited will be out February 8 on Partisan/Bella Union. The album will also feature collaborations with Norah Jones, Lucinda Williams, Hope Sandoval, Beth Orton, Lætitia Sadier of Stereolab, and more. You can pre-order the album here.

Live Shows: Margo Price and Aaron Lee Tasjan, Paradise Rock Club, Boston, MA 4/25/18

Since Margo Price had my #3 album of 2016 and my #1 album of 2017 and her set was the highlight of the 2016 Green River Festival, I've been dying to see her perform her own show, but it's just never worked out until this past Wednesday, when her Nowhere Fast tour came to Boston at the Paradise. Knowing it's only a matter of time until she moves out of clubs, I had to go out too late on a work night.

Playing her own set in front of her own adoring fans and not a shortened festival set in front of a crowd gave Price more freedom. She moved from guitar to keyboards and even drums in a way that felt organic and not just showing off. If she did showing off, she did it in her absolute mastery of a live performance. She and her band are impossibly polished for clubs, and it showed in each and every song. Songs like "A Little Pain" and "All American Made" just take on a whole new life live. My favorite song at Green River was once again my favorite at the Paradise, despite being reworked. "Four Years of Chances" previously was done with Price putting down the guitar and just singing. At the Paradise, she played some punk rock guitar over the song, giving it a fresh sound and a fitting edge. Even on extended jams the band seemed poised for greatness (and showed off Price's jam band heritage). At the end of "Cocaine Cowboys," price manned a second drum set at the end of the song in what could have been a little self serving. Instead the band found in intense groove in what could have been the end of Tom Petty's "Runnin' Down a Dream." The only reason I'm not convinced it was a secret Petty tribute is that four songs later she brought up opener Aaron Lee Tasjan to help her with "Mary Jane's Last Dance."

Aaron Lee Tasjan is another artist that's about to leap into the mainstream. Years ago, I'd go to a show with little to no knowledge of the opener, just the name, if that. I could then be blown away out of nowhere. Nowadays, I'm going to at least check out a few songs, so the only way an artist can blow me away is by blowing their recorded output away live. That's what Aaron Lee Tasjan does. His 2016 album, Silver Tears, is a solid album on the mainstream side of alt country. Live? The two can't even be compared. Tasjan has mastered the art of rambling storyteller in between songs, and he's just so charming that he can even make the goofiest dad jokes hilarious. ("I'm Aaron Lee Tasjan... I hope I'm saying that right.") Plus, any male country singer that can rock a checkered and floral print dress on stage is a-ok in my book. Songs like "Memphis Rain" and "12 Bar Blues" benefited from his telling the stories behind them. While Margo Price is alt country meets jam band, Aaron Lee Tasjan is alt country meets indie rock. Anyone can, and will, enjoy his performance, but if Arlo Guthrie fronting Built to Spill sounds like a dream come true, you could very well become obsessed if you see him live.

If this tour comes to your city, you need to check it out. There is no way you'll be seeing these two in venues this small after this.

Margo Price Covers Bob Dylan

Photo by Angelina Castillo for Third Man Records

Considering how much I love Margo Price, Bob Dylan, and covers, somehow this one slipped by me for two months. As part of Spotify Singles, Margo Price (who had my 2017 album of the year with All American Made) has released a cover of Bob Dylan's iconic but possibly overlooked "Most Likely You Go Your Way." Price keeps Dylan's classic ramblin' style for the song, but injects just enough of her own vintage, shiny classic country into it to make it her own. It's quite literally the perfect kind of cover: Not an imitation and doing the song in your own style, but keeping enough of the original so that it's still recognizable as the original.

You can listen to Margo Price's version of "Most Likely You Go Your Way" below. For more on Margo Price, check out her website. 

Ken's Top 10 of 2017 - #1: Margo Price - All American Made

Last year, Margo Price had my #3 album of the year with Midwest Farmer's Daughter. Somehow she released a fantastic new EP and my #1 album of the year, All American Made. Price just expertly nails a retro 70's style country with absolute perfection. It's a sound I didn't know I wanted more of until she came around, and I haven't been able to get enough of her music in the past two years. As great as Midwest Farmer's Daughter was, she grew on that sound. Margo Price will be a household name in the next few years, and she'll be one of the few that truly deserves it.

Songs of note: "Weakness," "Learning to Lose," and "Loner."

First Listen: New Releases for October 20

A slower week, but an abbreviated post given my schedule blowing up again.

The Plan - Nervous Energy: This is a different one, for sure. The Plan is absolutely going the strange, stilted indie rock route with this, and the returns are interesting in and of themselves. I can’t say for sure whether I liked it, but this is an album of odd song structures and challenging listens. I didn’t love it on first listen, but this is absolutely an album I want to revisit. I recommend giving it a shot, especially in a slower week.

Various Artists - Tegan and Sara Present The Con X: A tribute/covers record of Tegan and Sara’s The Con. It’s not my favorite T&S record at all, and my familiarity with the songs has deteriorated with time. The versions here? As with any album like this, it’s hit-or-miss. Some interesting takes, other ones that just don’t work. Take what you like and leave the rest, I think.

Dori Freeman - Letters Never Read: We enjoyed Dori Freeman’s previous record, and this new one feels like a pretty solid step forward for her sound. She’s starting to remind me a bit of Nora Jane Struthers right before she kind of broke out a bit, and that’s a good sign for Freeman. I don’t think there’s a bad song on this album, and I look forward to spending more time with it.

Elizabeth and the Catapult - Keepsake: Ken was raving about their new song a few months back, and “Shoelaces” from her previous album is an all-time favorite of mine. This album, though? I regret to say that this didn’t grab me. It’s a little slower, a little more methodical, and that’s not always what I’m looking for from this act. It’s not bad, it’s just a little unexpected. If you’re looking for something a little more pop light rock, this might do it for you.

Tracy Bonham - Modern Burdens: Dunno if we’re calling this a return album or something else, but it kicks off with a new take on Bonham’s one big hit and has a ton of guests you love. I don’t know where Tracy Bonham ranks in the sort of late-1990s alt-rock thing these days, but this is a hit of nostalgia on one end and… not the best revival on the other. If there’s a sort of “fans only” thing for her, that might be where this sits.

Twain - Modern Burdens: If Andrew Bird whistled less, rode horses, and hung out with Conor Oberst, you might get Twain. This is a compliment, as this is a pretty decent record on a whole. It has the sort of alt/indie/folk thing to it that’s the rage of late, and has a lot of interesting things happening with the somewhat sparse instrumentation and above-average musicality. This is definitely one you want to keep on your radar this week.

Bully - Losing: If Wolf Alice took a step back, Bully took a big step forward with this one. A more mature, more cohesive listen across the board. Make time for this.

Margo Price - All American Made: No one else sounds like Margo Price in the current musical landscape, and this really feels like it comes straight out of the Opry. There is nothing wrong with this at all, and Margo Price is a national treasure, period.

Lindstrom - It's Alright Between Us As Is: Solid, danceable electronic music with just a hint of strangeness within. Solid listen.

Other albums of note:

* Jessie Ware - Glasshouse
* John Davis and the Cicidas - El Pulpo
* Makthaversan - III


EPs of note:

* Frankmusik - Aw17 (some of his best work)
* Grandaddy - Things Anyway
* Beach Slang - We Were Babies and We Were Dirtbags

Also out:

* Gwar - The Blood of Gods
* Willie and the Boys - Willie's Stash Vol. 2
* Colleen - A flame my love, a frequency (great minimalist electronic music)

Margo Price - "A Little Pain"

Photo via Facebook

We were huge fans of Margo Price's 2016 solo debut, Midwestern Farmer's Daughter. In fact, it was the only album that made both my and Jeff's top ten lists of 2016. (I had it at #3, while Jeff had it at #6, fully proving my better taste...) Back in July, she released a surprise EP, so you'd think we wouldn't be getting anything new from Margo Price until 2018 at the earliest. Well, looks like she has a brand new album coming out in October, and we can already hear a new song from it. "A Little Pain" keeps Price's wonderful old school 70's sequined country sound, but it brings in a bit more of a soul feel to it. It's a bit of a throwback to her old band, Buffalo Clover. It seems like this might be the year of country/soul hybrids, and there won't be any complaints from us.

You can listen to "A Little Pain" below. Margo Price's new album, All American Made, will be out October 20 on Third Man Records. It can be pre-ordered here. For more on Margo Price, check out her website. Be sure to check out her tour dates while you're there. Seeing her live is something you will thank me for.

First Listen: New Releases for July 28

I spent most of my Sunday at a wrestling show instead of working on a new music post, so this has to be abbreviated. That’s a shame, too, for some reasons to note. Anyway:

Album of the Week:

Arcade Fire - Everything Now: Album of the week, album of the quarter, and probably my frontrunner for album of the year if it holds up as well as the first listen did. Maybe their best effort even if it won’t be iconic the way their first album is or so universally praised like Neon Bible. If you’re avoiding this for any reason at all, don’t.

Great Listens This Week:

Little Silver - Somewhere You Found My Name: Features members of Hem in some form, this is a really brilliant listen and one that throws some folksy curveballs.
Mr. Lif and Akrobatik- Resolution: Absolutely the rap album of the moment for me.
Katie Von Schleicher - Shitty Hits: Tongue-in-cheek title, but this is much better than it lets on.
Japanese Breakfast - Soft Sounds From Another Planet: Technically out a couple weeks ago, but a pleasant surprise and a quiet, unassuming listen worth your time. Feels exactly as the title would indicate.

Releases of Note:

Benjamin Gibbard - Bandwagonesque: While the instinct here is that “no one was asking the lead singer of Death Cab for Cutie to cover the entirety of a Teenage Fanclub album,” what is fascinating about this album is how safe it feels. The comp for me is Ryan Adams doing 1989, which at least felt like a subversion as opposed to more of a tribute. Then again, I don’t have the sort of bond with this album that I know other people do, so there’s ultimately a lot going on here.
Vic Mensa - The Autobiography: Not for me, but I am sure there are others who will love this.
Sweet Apple - Sing the Night in Sorrow: Indie supergroup of sorts puts out another solid power pop record.
Manchester Orchestra - A Black Mile to the Surface: Interesting, somewhat conceptual record. Not their best, but still pretty good.
Passion Pit - Tremendous Sea of Love
Joywave - Content

EPs of Interest:

Margo Price - Weakness: Surprise release that’s unsurprisingly great.
Sylvan Esso - Echo Mountain Sessions
Julia Michaels - Nervous System
Helvetia - Sun Chasers

Also out this week:

Cover Your Ass Volume 1 (Planned Parenthood benefit)
Cage the Elephant - Unpeeled
Amanda Palmer - Piano is Evil

Ken's Top 10 of 2016 - #3: Margo Price - Midwest Farmer's Daughter

Midwest Farmer's Daughter is one of those rare albums that I couldn't seem to get enough of throughout 2016. It was just that album I always went back to when I got bored and couldn't decide what to put on in the background at work. Her throwback country sound just gets me perfectly. If you're the kind of person who needs at least 2 minutes to answer the question "Do you like country?," Margo Price is for you. Her appearance on Marc Maron's WTF podcast and her performance at this year's Green River Festival just increased my love of Midwest Farmer's Daughter. Turns out "Weekender" is actually about her brief time in jail. I even went back to listen to her old soul band, Buffalo Clover. Her live show completely won me over, and "Four Years of Chances" reaches an absolute epic level live. It never quite caught me on the album, and I swore it was some old Dolly Parton or Bobbie Gentry cover until I looked at the album and realized that's where I knew it from. Somehow she's not playing theaters yet, so make sure you check her out in the clubs while you can. She's due for Sturgill Simpson and Jason Isbell levels of success very soon.

Jeff's Best of 2016 - #6: Margo Price - Midwest Farmer's Daughter

My #6 album is Margo Price's Midwest Farmer's Daughter.

This one came out of nowhere for me. The retro classic country sound has been making a lot of waves, and Jack White's Third Man Records is really putting out quality stuff in this area, and Margo Price is no different in that regard. It feels classic and timeless while still having that raw quality to it that keeps it sounding fresh. The melodies here stick in my head all the time, and there's not a bad song on the album. And basically? The only thing keeping this from being the album of the year for me is because of how much good music has come out in 2016.

If you've slept on this up until now, you still have a chance to come around. If you like classic country at all, you just need to drop what you're doing and give this a shot.

Recommended songs: "Hurtin' (On the Bottle)," "Four Years of Chances," "This Town Gets Around"