Listen To New Justin Townes Earle & NPR Revisited

Man it is fun to be spot on right. But let’s not bury the lead, that being that you can now listen to Justin Townes Earle’s new album Harlem River Blues in its entirety through NPR’s First Listen. These are not previews, this is every song, and they will be available until the release date of September 14th.

Since your lovable, huggable Triggerman is such a titan of the music world, I have a had a copy of this album for a few weeks now, and when I first heard it, all of my fears about the direction of Justin Townes’ music were realized. Since then I have warmed up to it a little more, but what I was hearing was JTE catering his sound to what I’ve characterized many times as the “NPR bumper music” crowd.

This was the inspiration for a story I wrote called NPR’s Adverse Effect on Country & Roots Music. I honestly had no idea at the time that NPR would be the advertising vehicle the JTE camp would use, but simply from just listening to the music, I could tell that is what they were aiming for. A quote from that article:

“Another (album) is Justin Townes Earle’s upcoming Harlem River Blues. I predict this album will be huge, even though there’s a good chance it will get a neutral, or even a negative review from me. There’s just no direct connection with the roots in his music any more. It has been cleansed for top NPR compatibility. As his press release reads, it’s “more mature” than his previous albums. Well I guess that makes me immature.”

And make no mistake, I am a Justin Townes Earle fan. I named his album Midnight at the Movies my Album of The Year last year. I’m a huge supporter of his label Bloodshot Records, and believe it or not, a supporter of NPR. It’s good that JTE and other artists have an outlet for their music through NPR. And it’s not that this album is bad, its just not what I go dumping my bucket into the JTE well for.

I will have a full review coming up soon, but in the meantime give a listen yourself and leave your thoughts below. I want to be wrong about this album, but as the release date marches closer, I just keep being proved right.

Lucky Tubb Releases New Album “Hillbilly Fever”

Well I knew there was a new album called Hillbilly Fever coming from traditional country rising star Lucky Tubb and his band the Modern Day Troubadours, but I didn’t know it was coming so quickly.

The album will be released tomorrow (5-11) and will feature 10 tracks, including a few with Wayne “The Train” Hancock, including the title song. 6 of the songs can presently be heard in their entirety on Lucky’s myspace site. You can also preview all the tracks and order the album from Lone Star Music by clicking here. Lucky’s albums are solely available through Lone Star Music.

I really like what I’m hearing so far, and as soon as I get a copy in my hands, you’ll be getting a review in front of your eyes.

Also for anyone in or around the Dallas TX area, Lucky and Wayne will be playing a show together at the famed Granada Theater on July 9th.

This is traditional country at its finest!

1. Ramblin’
2. Sweet Sweet Kisses
3. Blue Monday Blues
4. Honky Tonkin’s All We’ve Got
5. Hillbilly Fever
6. You Sure Look Lonesome
7. Tired of What You Don’t Do
8. Not At All
9. Nashville Operator
10. West

Those Poor Bastards New Album -Gospel Haunted

Premier Gothic Country band Those Poor Bastards have just announced they will be releasing a new album, Gospel Haunted, on June 15. The project will be available on CD, and a limited edition clear vinyl. There will be a limited edition Gospel Outtakes 7″ on vinyl as well. Here’s the blurb from the band:

“Those Poor Bastards fifth full length album is an ungodly nightmare of salvation, dementia and doom. Features the twelve and a half minute misanthropic epic Ill At Ease, and fire and brimstone favorite “Glory Amen.”" Gospel Outtakes is: “Three discarded orphans from Gospel Haunted.”

The limited edition clear vinyl also comes with the CD, and you can also order all three items together. You can pre-order and preview all the tracks by CLICKING HERE.

It was also announced yesterday that Those Poor Bastards are part of a FREE full length horror compilation put together by Rue Morgue magazine. You can download the whole album and artwork by CLICKING HERE.

Album Review -Hank III’s The Rebel Within

I’m going to have a lot to say about this record, but the upshot is that its damn good. It is an improvement from Hank III’s last offering Damn Right, Rebel Proud. It may not be his best album, or the album of the year, but considering all the different factors Hank had to juggle when making it, he hit just about as close to the bulls-eye as anyone could expect.

Hank has been in a 14-year battle with his label Curb Records, and while making this album he had to ask himself, “Do I make it with his best material available, and hand the rights of those top-notch songs over to my mortal enemy so they can continue to fill their filthy coffers even after I leave?” He’s publicly said that once he’s done with Curb (which happens after this album release), he wants to be independent, mainly because he wants to reserve all his music rights.

But if he puts out a dud, he jeopardizes the loyalty of his famously loyal fan base. Hank has to keep his fan’s attention to proceed without label support. And that’s another issue: the fans.

EVERYBODY seems to have an opinion about what Hank III should be doing with his music. He cut his teeth as a neo-traditionalist, but his album Straight to Hell, considered his masterpiece, created an influx of punk and metal fans into the Hank III fan base, and into country music in general. Now the traditionalists and metalheads are going 9 rounds over what direction they think Hank III’s music should go, and Hank III has gone from being the most revered man in underground country to being one of the most polarizing.

And EVERYONE wants to compare any new Hank III album to his previous ones. Hank III might have started this trend, famously saying “Damn Right, Rebel Proud ain’t shit compared to Straight to Hell,” a message still on his MySpace page. But is every Willie album compared to Red Headed Stranger? Can’t we judge subsequent albums, good or bad, on their own merit?

Somehow, someway, with all these balls in the air, Hank III has figured out how to strike a balance between warring forces, and not forget that the way for him to make the best album possible is to listen to his heart.

The Rebel Within has those traditional country elements that his country fans crave, and a little of the metal edge to keep red meat in the bellies of the folks in black. And it does so fairly seamlessly. It doesn’t feel like “oh here’s another metal country song,” the album just flows. There’s some new sounds here too, new for Hank III, and new, period.

This album is Hank III settling into a sort of early Hank Jr., late Waylon, Johnny Paycheck-esque “hard” country style. He’s not reinventing the wheel; he already did that once, and if he does it again it might as well be when the Curb leech is off his ass. He doesn’t wow you with his songwriting, though it does have it moments. This is more of a party album, even more than his previous two.

The standout tracks for me were “Lookin’ for a Mountain,” “Karmageddon,” and “Tore Up & Loud.” Many people are calling the first the “Waylon Song,” and yes it has that identifiable two note bass line. But it also opens up a new theme for Hank. He’s always said he prefers the simple life, cutting the grass and running the dogs, and this song delves into the yearning for simplicity we all have.

“Karmageddon” is one of the “new sounds.” It comes across as plain weird at first, but multiple listens reveal its genius. Down the road we might look back at this song as a hint of the direction Hank III goes post-Curb. “Tore Up & Loud,” is just Hank III doing what made Hank III famous, but unlike some of the “hellraising” songs of Damn Right, Rebel Proud, this one works. The production isn’t overdone, and the heavy metal elements blend with the country elements smoothly. This is Hank III. This blend is his contribution to country music.

In some ways, this album made me judge Damn Right, Rebel Proud even more harshly. I’ve always said it was an album of good songs buried with poor production, a sentiment Hank III has asserted himself. But again, let’s look at this album on its own merit. The production of Rebel Within is clean and balanced. It’s more country, but not in a way that usurps Hank III’s country/metal blend. Simply put, the album works.

Some will complain that the drinking songs are too much. I agree that Hank should open up some new song themes in the future, though he starts down this path in this album. But Hank III reinvigorated the ‘hellraising” attitude in country. One of the reasons it seems overused is because Hank inspired an army of copycats who can’t craft an original idea, throwing out “whiskey,devil, cocaine” references with no direction or purpose.

My least favorite song is the title track, with the “screams” feeling out of place and dragging down an otherwise good song.

If handed this album and told to grade it, I would give it a B+. But knowing the challenges facing Hank III in making it, I give him an A.

It seems everyone wants to criticize Hank III, second guess him, pontificate of how he should live his life and what direction his music should go. I’d like to see those people try to fill the biggest boots ever handed down in country music while fighting off a malevolent music label. I say just enjoy the music, that is what it is there for. And if you can’t, leave it.

But don’t forget who brought you back into country music after years of disappointment from the mainstream. Don’t forget who introduced you to country music when you were listening to who knows what kind of filth. Don’t forget who introduced you to Wayne Hancock and Dale Watson, and a slew of other musicians who have changed the very complexion of your life, brought you countless joy, helped you through endless sorrow. Don’t forget who made you feel hope that maybe everything in country music isn’t lost. Don’t forget who introduced you to countless other fans who now feel like family. Don’t forget who made the music that was there for you when nobody and nothing else was.

If it wasn’t for Hank III, I wouldn’t be here. If it wasn’t for Hank III, YOU wouldn’t be here. Hank III created all of this: this genre, this scene, this website, your interest, everything. We may not even be able to agree what to call this music, but we can all agree to call Hank III the king of it, and always will be, whether he puts out another country album or not.

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You can listen to all the tracks of Rebel Within in their entirety by CLICKING HERE.

The best place to purchase or pre-order ANY album is through your local record store. But if you can’t, you can pre-order the album through Amazon by CLICKING HERE.

Note: Long time artist for Hank III Keith Neltner, who did his last two album covers did NOT do the cover art for this project.

Also for everyone hoping that now Hank III is free we might see a double disc dump of some of the best country music we’ve ever heard, don’t hold your breath. Sure, Hank III probably put some songs in the can until Curb was in the rear view, but we might not see another pure country project for years. Hank has a lot to sort out, and anyone who thinks they know what is coming up is high.

Preview Entire Songs of Hank III’s New Album !

Hank III’s latest record Rebel Within to be released May 25th is now available for preview through Amazon.com, where you can listen to ALL the songs, IN THEIR ENTIRETY! Just CLICK HERE, and navigate over to the player on the right.

You’ll want to get over there and get your listen on ASAP, because the entire songs are likely only to be up there for a limited time, then you’ll only get samples. Many artists are beginning to offer entire album previews ahead of release dates to increase interest. For example you can stream Th’ Legendary Shack Shakers new album Agridustrial as well by CLICKING HERE.

Just listened to it one time through and it is still sinking in, but I REALLY like what I’m hearing. For those that thought his last album Damn Right, Rebel Proud was a departure, you’ll at least think this is a step up. Really like the songs “Lookin’ For A Mountain” and “Tore Up and Loud.” The song “Karmageddon” shows a lot of Those Poor Bastards influence, like Kaw-Liga meets Lonesome Wyatt.

Full review coming soon.

Listen to New Shooter Jennings Single “Wake Up”

As I reported back on Nov. 21st, Shooter Jennings will be releasing his new album Black Ribbons on March 3rd. The first single “Wake Up” will be released on December 22nd, but you can listen to it now through the link below.

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN

It has also been revealed that the album will be released by Rocket Science Ventures and that there will be a “special guest” on the album. Here is the blurb about the album from Rocket Science Ventures:

““Black Ribbons” features the debut of Shooter’s new band Hierophant, who inspired him to leave his country roots behind and embrace a ‘60s/’70s psychadelic Rock vibe. The album also features a surprise special guest who helps layer the project’s conspiracy theory vibe. “Black Ribbons” is set for release March 3rd via Rocket Science Ventures.”

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Editor’s Note:Some of you might be wondering why I keep covering this story. I’m not sure that I have a good answer for you, except that I feel like the information needs to get out there, and nobody else is doing that. Regardless of what you think about the music, part of what Shooter is saying in this album is that the media controlling and collusive. I happen to agree with that, and that is one of the reasons I started savingcountrymusic.com, to cover music nobody else was. . . .at least, country music that nobody else was. But Shooter fans have a right to know about an artist they love as well. Don’t worry, my focus will always be country music.

As for a few Shooter fans that have been saying that the lovable, huggable Triggerman has been printing “lies” about Shooter in these articles, all I can say is I’m getting my info straight from the horses mouth. I appreciate you defending an artist you believe in, but if you honestly think I would print lies to forward some agenda, you’ve missed the whole point of this website, and you should probably move along. I always try to separate opinion from facts, and because of the divisive nature of this situation, I have done so even more, reserving my opinions entirely, save for discussing the matter with readers in the comments section.