Beating Hearts

If you like Hiss Golden Messenger, here's two new releases that may pique your interest. First up is Durham's Phil Cook with his second longplayer People Are My Drug, on which the current HGM guitarist and organist takes another soulful, often New Orleans-inspired trip. Modern gospel by MC Taylor's main man.

Phil Cook - Another Mother's Son

Next stop Asheville to meet the Dead Tongues, brainchild of former HGM guitar slinger Ryan Gustafson. If you like your Americana a tad more subtle, Unsung Passage is a must-have release. Bonus points for the lovely album cover, which takes one back to them dear private press albums of the early seventies.

The Dead Tongues - Won't Be Long

In My Face

Mount Moriah frontwoman H.C. McEntire goes at it alone, and her soulful, gospel-tinged, and above all very southern brand of Americana sure proves a treat. She's from Durham in North Carolina, which has come to be known in some well-informed circles as Hiss Golden Messenger country, so it's no surprise their Phil Cook is involved here. Others from the Hiss orbit - Tift Merritt, Angel Olsen, William Tyler - and beyond - Bikini Kill's Kathleen Hanna - lend a helping hand, too. Out now on the still cool Merge label.

H.C. McEntire - Baby's Got The Blues

Top Of The Hill

The Dead Tongues are the project of Ryan Gustafson, who hails from Durham, North Carolina, just like the kindred spirits in Hiss Golden Messenger. A stark but heartwarming album in the Americana vein called Montana is out now, filled with banjos, fiddles, and - above all - strong songs. And what's more: the Dead Tongues will be coming over to Europe this April to support the mighty Phil Cook. Guess I'll have to buy myself a ticket.

The Dead Tongues - Graveyard Fields

Seventually

And here's that inevitable list again, mi amigos da musica. Presenting the toppermost of the poppermost of 2015: seven heavenly albums one shouldn't be without.

1. Phil Cook - Southland Mission
Phil Cook - Sitting On A Fence
2. Ryley Walker - Primrose Green
Ryley Walker - Love Can Be Cruel
3. Meg Baird - Don't Weigh Down The Light
Meg Baird - Mosquito Hawks
4. Giant Sand - Heartbreak Pass
Giant Sand - Heaventually
5. Calexico - Edge Of The Sun
Calexico - Tapping On The Line
6. Simon Joyner - Grass, Branch & Bone
Simon Joyner - In My Drinking Dream
7. Dave Rawlings Machine - Nashville Obsolete
Dave Rawlings Machine - The Last Pharaoh

He Will Shine

I'm really looking forward to the upcoming solo album of Phil Cook, the former Megafaun man who shines on guitar and soulful organ in Hiss Golden Messenger at the mo. Want a sneak peek? Here goes. All together now: gonna be a...

Phil Cook - Great Tide

And in case you overlooked 'em, Megafaun was a pretty cool combo, too. Here they honour Phil Kaufman, the producer and tour manager who really made a name for himself when he stole the corpse of countryrock legend Gram Parsons and burned it near Joshua Tree.

Megafaun - Kaufman's Ballad