Title: XOXO (Sham/Thirty Tigers)
You might like if you enjoy: The Jayhawks, The Fallen Stars, Mark Olson
Tell me more: One of Americana's most important and enduring voices, the Jayhawks are back with their newly-issued 11th full-length studio LP XOXO that ranks with the Minneapolis-spawned troupe's most beloved albums. The intoxicating opening track "This Forgotten Town" welcomes listeners with a reflective moodscape, the band's nuanced and detailed approach revealed via a rich pastel of guitars, piano, rhythm section and lush vocal harmonies that build artfully before descending into a comforting quiet. A true democratic effort, all long-time core members (Gary Louris, Marc Perlman, Karen Grotberg and Tim O’Reagan) share lead vocal and songwriting duties across the album. The range of material reflects the team effort as evidenced by the tuneful power pop-styled rocker "Dogtown Days," Beatlesque "Living in a Bubble," piano-anchored chamber pop ballad "Ruby" and indie rocker "Society Pages" on the first half of the disc. The power of the album's track listing never dims; the country-tinged "Bitter Pill" finds Louris providing a tale about a weary wanderer's endless quest for happiness. The Jayhawks' lyrical portraits are as real and affecting as their music making to be sure; the lovely "Across My Field," ambitious harmonies-anchored rocker "Little Victories" and acoustic romantic lament "Looking Up Your Number" are exquisite. Those who buy the initial pressing of XOXO (on vinyl or audio CD) will be getting the deluxe edition of the LP, which offers three bonus tracks ("Jewel of the Trimbelle," "Then You Walked Away," "Hypocrite's Lament"), all of which add power and purpose to this wonderful return. Information: JayhawksOfficial.com.
Artist: Bobbo Byrnes
Title: SeaGreenNumber5 (My Squirrel Music)
You might like if you enjoy: The Fallen Stars, Wilco
Tell me more: As prolific as he is gifted, singer-songwriter Bobbo Byrnes is back with a new album that comes on the heels of a parade of excellent solo LPs as well as his role with the Fallen Stars and Riddle and the Stars. Byrnes brings the same adventuresome spirit he has explored with the Fallen Stars to his exciting new solo album SeaGreenNumber5. The mix of acoustic folk and Americana soundscapes are used in the service of originals that are poignant and intimate; these are songs that draw in the listener with winning melodies and nuanced lyrics. Byrnes is expert in tapping into traditional influences and making them his own, as evidenced by the exuberant "Queen Of The Party," breezy "When We Ride," spirited skip "Eveline," sparse baroque ballad "Every Sound That Crashes" and Celtic-flavored instrumental "Geo's Jig." The album's energetic spirit is bolstered by the surrounding cast of players including bassist-vocalist Tracy Byrnes, percussionist Matt Froehlich, fiddler Georgiana Hennessy, pedal steel player Jeremy Long and backing vocalists Jen Moraca and Tawny Ellis. Information: BobboByrnes.com.
Title: Down In The Den (PoMo Records)
You might like if you enjoy: Shooter Jennings, Merle Haggard
Tell me more: Set for release on July 24, Ted Russell Kamp's Down In The Den celebrates the artist's signature mix of country, Americana, soul and roots music at every turn. Armed with a rich and articulate baritone voice and his top-tier talents on a slew of instruments, the album kicks off in high gear with the rollicking "Home Sweet Hollywood" (with Shooter Jennings adding dynamic vocals to the track), before he moves into other reaches of his far-flung musical universe with the moody "Have Some Faith," New Orleans-mining "Waste a Little Time With Me" and Hobo Nickel," and authentic country ballad Stick With Me" shining on Side 1 of the disc. On Side 2, standouts include the Southern rocker "The Good Part," Memphis soul offering "Word For Word," reflective "Only Son" and emotive album closer "Take My Song With You." Along the way a who's who of genre talents join Kamp on the 14-song LP; in addition to the aforementioned Jennings, vocalists Gordy Quist, Sarah Gayle Meech, Shane Alexander, Grant Langston and Kirsten Proffit, as well as many more top-tier musicians and singers add to the magical proceedings. Information: TedRussellKamp.com.
REDISCOVERED CLASSIC
Title: Straight Outta Marysville (Omnivore Recordings)
You might like if you enjoy: Cindy Lee Berryhill, Michelle Shocked, Courtney Barnett
Tell me more: When Cindy Lee Berryhill released The Adventurist in 2017, it marked the Southern California-based artist's first new studio album in a decade. That wonderful return served as a strong reminder of Berryhill's groundbreaking anti-folk sound and led Omnivore Recordings to reissue an expanded and remastered version of Berryhill's celebrated 1996 album Straight Outta Marysville. Released in August 2019, the Straight Outta Marysville reissue is filled with literate and introspective songs that are bolstered by smart arrangements, subtle performances and the always-compelling delivery of Berryhill. The Los Angeles native is a joy to listen to across the disc, with her inviting vocals (be they spoken or sung) shining in quiet verses as well as more dynamic choruses (just listen to the infectious "Diane"); all of that compelling delivery coming via truly superb songs. The strength of the disc is uniformly mighty, with this writer's favorites including the energetic opener "High Jump," mandolin-adorned "Riddle Riddle," roots rocker "Jane And John," the dream pop of "Unwritten Love Song," acoustic "Talkin' With A Mineral" and a creative cover of Donovan's 1966 classic "Season Of The Witch." The reissues features the 14 cuts that appeared on the 1996 release along with six previously-unissued bonus tracks; these tracks are a wonderful addition to the cuts that appeared only on the original release. Information: OmnivoreRecordings.com.
Robert Kinsler
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