Gangstagrass: Rappalachia

Rather than write a long-winded, boring review, I think perhaps I’ll start a long-running series of simpler posts. What I’m Listening to Today: Gangstagrass: Rappalachia. The New York based genre-benders have released their fascinating sophomore album this year. While I don’t typically dabble in rap, these guys make it amazing. Enjoy.

Tall Tall Trees: Moment

The long brisk Alston night culminated in K Ishibashi sitting alone, completely exhausted, just outside the Harvard Ave & Commonwealth bus shelter. It was one in the morning and no busses would be arriving – but nobody seemed to care, fans milled about enthusiastically recalling another stunning performance. However this post isn’t about Kishi, it’s […]

Carolina Chocolate Drops

Spring is a time for renewal. In that vein, you should get back in touch with your inner Atlantic seaboard circa 1850 with a listen to the Carolina Chocolate Drops. You’ll get jiggy just going down to Jackson. Allocating the banjo, fiddle, harmonica, marching drums, guitar, kazoo, jugs, and beatbox between three folks also harmonizing is no small task. And if you’re anything […]

Steve Martin: The Crow, New Songs for the Five-String Banjo

“Truely Wonderful and Just as Advertised” Inspired, musically, by Kingston Trio, Flatt and Scruggs, Steve is a self-taught comedic super-genius and Orange County, California native. With humor and wit shining through his well paced and precise self-acclaimed plink, plink, plink-staccato, he remains just as facinated by the music as the listener, noting, the beautifully geometric object “shouldn’t even be […]

Crooked Fingers: Breaks in the Armor

Crooked Fingers is one of those bands who can’t decide where they’re from.  But, it’s OK, we don’t blame them, I don’t want to live in Atlanta either. Their most recent album, 2011’s Breaks in the Armor, is my favorite of the many I’ve heard.  It is more refined and calm than most, except perhaps Reservoir […]