Our Top Six Releases
Top Six Releases
January 2021
Our Top Six Releases
By Rob Dickens
Aaron Lee Tasjan
Tasjan! Tasjan! Tasjan!
New West
5 February 2021
The cool Americana/pop minstrel from East Nashville brings us another collection of Jeff Lynne (ELO and The Traveling Wilburys)-inspired glitter. But beneath the beautiful lush and jangly sounds and the excitable title, there’s a lot going on in Aaron Lee Tasjan‘s mind on Tasjan! Tasjan! Tasjan!
The themes here include reported challenges with his label, struggles with self-confidence and anxiety, sexuality, homophobia. But nothing preachy here, the delivery being often tongue-in-cheek, wry observations.
Classic sounds are presented here in a lively, fresh way, taking on a form that no-one else is presenting much today. Co-producer Gregory Lattimer and mixing engineer John Congleton add significantly to the end result.
Via Big Feat PR
Kacy & Clayton and Marlon Williams
Plastic Bouquet
New West
12 December 2020
On the day I write this, New Zealand (Christchurch) crooner Marlon Williams turns 30. Already possessing a growing and impressive musical CV, he heard Canadian duo Kacy & Clayton and instinctively recognised the benefits of working with the Saskatoon couple (Kacy Anderson and Clayton Linthicum) who already had numerous albums to their name.
The product of their collaboration is Plastic Bouquet which was conceived during an immensively creative Canadian winter – eleven songs in three weeks. The album was produced by Anderson and Williams and it’s their striking voices weaving together with the distinctive guitar playing of Linthicum that is a joy.
Plastic Bouquet oozes with classic country and folkie charm.
Lisa Richards
I Got A Story
Independent
13 November 2020
Hailing from Australia’s national capital Canberra, Lisa Richards has applied herself remarkably with I Got A Story, her seventh outing. The album grew out of a Folk Alliance conference in Los Angeles. The event’s collaborative and supportive spirit turned out to be just the impetus she needed to boldly throw herself into committing to her own colourful story.
The lyrics are raw and oh-so-honest. Memories of sexual abuse, early drug use, the inability to hold down a job, rehab and depression. The journey since then, the inner resolve and ability to refuse to let these events define her, is stirring.
Every song on a I Got A Story is beautifully crafted and arranged.
Via Stuart Coupe Publicity
Melody Moko
Two Kids & A Radio
Independent
11 September 2020
Alt. country singer Melody Moko‘s Two Kids & A Radio came to my attention a little late. Since its release, it has garnered three Australian Golden Guitar Awards (and three chunky ones at that – Alt Country Album of The Year, Female Artist of the Year and New Talent of The Year). The nominations and chart success were a godsend because Moko was poised to go on the road with what would have been a successful tour with the new material in a pre-COVID world.
The album was recorded in Nashville with famed producer Neilson Hubbard and features the renowned Fats Kaplin (Kaplin Welch and Kane, John Prine).
The melodies here are excellent, drawing in the listener, siren-like. It’s a mature and polished record.
Via Stuart Coupe Publicity
Rod Abernethy
Normal Isn’t Normal Anymore
Downstairs Records
5 February 2021
I have already posted a full review of Rod Abernethy‘s Normal Isn’t Normal Anymore – see link below.
Another award-winning songwriter and a fine guitarist to boot, the album features some timely insights about modern life, delivered in crystal-clear fashion.
Via IVPR
Sturgill Simpson
Cuttin’ Grass Vol 2 – The Cowboy Arms Sessions
High Top Mountain/Thirty Tigers
11 December 2020
Sturgill Simpson surprised us all with a bluegrass reworking of twenty of his songs in Cuttin’ Grass Vol 1 – The Butcher Shoppe Sessions presented impeccably with a hot bluegrass band, infusing his songs with a complete and appropriate retelling.
Another unexpected turn. Cuttin’ Grass Vol 2 – The Cowboy Arms Sessions arrives hot on its predecessor’s heels and continues the magic of his songs being reinterpreted musically with what can only be described as a band made in heaven.
The only qualm? There are only twelve songs on Vol. 2.
Via Jo Corbett Publicity
ADVERTISE WITH LISTENING THROUGH THE LENS
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Our Top Six Releases
