In 2011, Dakota based singer songwriter Nathan Edwards released his debut album ‘New Season’, a heartfelt collection of acoustic folk-pop tunes with a big heart. Issuing a selection of Stephen Foster penned material as a stop gap, Edwards then set about working on his second collection of new, original material. Having then taken some four years to create ‘Far Away From Here’, Edwards certainly couldn’t be accused of rushing…and the care taken in ensuring this second proper release is of a high standard is evident right from the get go.
Tag Archives: americana
WORRY DOLLS – Burden EP
The pairing of Zoe Nichol and Rosie Jones is a special one, indeed. Armed with acoustic guitars, a banjo, a mandolin and a reasonable amount of stomp, the UK singer-songwriters bring a little backporch charm to the drab city suburbs. On this, their second EP, the vocal harmonies are consistently strong; their gift for rootsy hooks shining through each passing moment.
THE GREAT AFFAIRS – Dream In Stereo
Following their third release ‘Happy Ender’ in 2011, US roots rockers seemed set to call time on their career, with frontman Denny Smith moving on to other projects. Luckily, they had a change of heart and following a shift of line up, 2013’s ‘4’ was arguably the best of their career to date.
CRIMSON CALAMITY – All In The Cards EP
US singer songwriters Lauren Harding and Mallory Trunnell have already made inroads into solo careers as adult pop singer-songwriters: Harding’s brand of pop/rock on her 2011 release ‘Heart In a Box’ mixing piano tunes with occasional bluesy twangs, Trunnell’s more in keeping with Sara Barailles and piano pop. Together, recording as Crimson Calamity, the pianos are abandoned and various types of country music very much the order of the day.
RED MEANS RUN – All Things Said & Done EP
A four piece alt-country band from Philadephia, Red Means Run take their name from the Neil Young classic ‘Powderfinger’ and on their debut EP, guitarist Jim McKay adds a couple of solos that have the same carefree/off-key approach of the great man himself. If you love Neil and his naturalistic style of playing, of course, this is no bad thing…and it certainly suits this ragged quartet’s take on country rock. Also inspired by Young and the earlier forebears of alt-country these chaps don’t really worry about layers or overdubs – the four songs on this release have a very direct feel, almost as if the band were playing in a bar somewhere.