Rest My Head

Care for some some honest Americana from Nashville? Meet Blank Range, whose Brad Cook-produced Marooned With The Treasure is the real deal alright.

Blank Range - Crimson Moon

Make A Move

Hola republica, hola nou pais. Not sure how long it will last, as Franco's henchmen are knocking at the gate as we speak, but it sure feels good to be part of the new Republic of Catalunya.

The Redskins - Keep On Keeping On!
Comsat Angels - Independence Day
Robert Wyatt - At Last I Am Free
Bob Dylan - Chimes Of Freedom (live Oxford, Ohio '00)
Syl Johnson - I'm Talkin' 'Bout Freedom
Raimon - Veles E Vents

Oh Jenny

"Yellow jokes come out of your mind..." Now that's a compliment. Just rediscovered the krautrock smorgasbord that is Faust IV: very yummy indeed.

Faust - Jennifer

Town To Town

The rural Appalachian freakfolk of Sarah Louise and Sally Anne Morgan sounds almost ancient at first listen, but that drone gives 'em away. The duo's debut album, under the House and Land moniker, just came out on the Thrilljockey label. Simply charming.

House and Land - Rich Old Jade

Lights Flashing

Blue Boy seems to be selling something... Let's check it out and take a trip with the lovely Susan Christie. Could you give me a dime?

Susan Christie - Yesterday Where's My Mind

Hear Me Cryin'

The blues according to the Dead, featuring that legendary weirdo  Ron 'Pigpen' McKernan on vocals. Howling like a dire wolf of course. Whoohoo!

Grateful Dead - Smokestack Lightnin' (live Port Chester '71)

Children Of Jah

Heading over to Jamdown now with a fine new reggae compilation on the Kingston Sounds label, channeling that majestic mid-seventies rockers sound concocted by the Revolutionairies (Sly & Robbie et al) with legendary producer Bunny 'Striker' Lee. Prime example below.

Junior Delgado - Devil's Throne

All Aboard

We're going on a trip, jazz cats. Its distict Indian flavour is delightful, and what's more, this musical journey features the mighty Pharoah Sanders on sax. Satchidananda, in case you were wondering, was a famous swami Trane's widow was following at the time on her road to enlightenment.

Alice Coltrane - Journey Into Satchidananda

All Nite Long

Ready for some classic rockin' cajun from East Texas and Southwest Louisiana, folks? Good, as the acclaimed Yep Rock imprint has just re-released the mighty cool Swampland Jewels compilation, which originally came out on the Goldband label back in '79. Let the bon temps rouler... and ride that crawfish if you dare.

Cleveland Crochet & Jay Stutes - Sugar Bee

Anything Different

Only debut albums should be self-titled in my book, but let's be mild for once and forgive the Weather Station. As it stands, the Canadian combo's fourth offering is simply too good to be cast aside for such petty reasons. With bonus points for lush but functional string arrangements and even a flute here and there, The Weather Station raises only one question really: might young Tamara Lindeman be Joni Mitchell's illegitimate offspring?

The Weather Station - Kept It All To Myself

Crunch Crunch

The fifth (!) Kozelek product of the year sees our quirky Ohioan get together with keyboardist Ben Boye and drummer Jim White. Works a treat. Chew on this wicked feline impersonation for starters: "When you're a cat you can sleep all day and say fuck all that..."

Mark Kozelek with Ben Boye and Jim White - House Cat