According to the title of Mars Arizona’s latest release, the current state of affairs in the world is looking rather bleak. Though the album is filled with songs of struggle and sadness, Hello Cruel World is a bright spot on the Americana landscape. The San Francisco-based singer-songwriter duo of Paul Knowles and Nicole Storto manages [...]

Although he has released albums as a solo artist over the years, Walt Wilkins earned his reputation on the strength of songs he penned for artists including Pat Green and Ricky Skaggs. With guidance from veteran producer Lloyd Maines, Wilkins delivers his own mission statement as a singer-songwriter with Diamonds In The Sun. From the [...]

As the frontman of Atlanta band the Vidalias, Charles Walston established himself as both a talented vocalist, frequently drawing comparisons to Gram Parsons, and as a skilled songwriter. But after two critically acclaimed albums, the band decided to call it quits. Following an extended hiatus from the music industry, Walston is back with a new [...]

Sarah Shannon earned a reputation for her striking vocals in her days with 1990s indie-rockers Velocity Girl. On her second solo album, Shannon pushes further away from her rock past with a memorable collection of light and breezy adult pop. The influence of Burt Bacharach’s distinctive compositional style is evident throughout as her gorgeous vocals [...]

Although she’s blessed with one of the most striking voices in bluegrass since Alison Krauss ascended, North Carolina native Donna Hughes is first and foremost a songwriter, as is evident throughout her Rounder debut. Hughes began to be recognized as a notable writer when her song “My Poor Old Heart”, a tale of how blossoming [...]

The first full-length release from Seattle’s energetic Ruby Dee & the Snakehandlers jumps with more country spunk and attitude then you can shake your Starbucks grande soy latte at. North Of Bakersfield highlights the quintet’s considerable talent and range as it treads through hardcore honky-tonk, rockabilly and vintage country swing. At the center is Ruby [...]

April 1998 found Freedy Johnston in Los Angeles recording tracks for his album Blue Days Black Nights. As a respite from the studio, Johnston played a gig at Santa Monica’s famed McCabe’s Guitar Shop. The beautifully rough and engaging performance was recorded but not released until now. The intimate setting provided a perfect venue to [...]

As a member of Nickel Creek, Sean Watkins has often been overshadowed by his sister Sara Watkins and mandolinist Chris Thile, but with his third solo album, he takes a much-deserved turn in the spotlight. Straying even further from Nickel Creek’s acoustic, neo-bluegrass sound, Watkins delivers a set of modern pop fare revealing a new [...]

Chris Smith (a.k.a. Sunshone Still) has a sound that reflects the work of artists such as Tom Waits, Elliott Smith and Nick Drake. Dead Letters is his impressive debut, which he wrote, recorded and produced over the last three years; it’s a musical landscape painted in the hushed tones of twilight. Acoustic guitars lead the [...]

It took a big name from the alt-country community to help the California band Limbeck create its best recorded work to date. Gary Louris, of Jayhawks fame, co-produced Let Me Come Home, exposing this power-pop outfit’s roots-rock leanings. Though it is definitely not a country album, Let Me Come Home has a rawer sound and [...]