Albums To Look Forward To In 2014

2014 promises to be another great year for music, and the first part of the year might just be one of the busiest seasons for anticipated releases we have seen in quite a while. From a lost Johnny Cash album, to a new one from his daughter Rosanne, to Jason Eady, a big re-issue from Lucina Williams, and releases from Scott H. Biram and Robert Ellis, there’s enough here to get your music taste buds salivating.


Johnny-Cash--Out-Among-the-StarsJohnny Cash – Out Among The Stars (March 25th)

Saving Country Music’s most anticipated album for 2014, Out Among The Stars is a complete album that was recorded between 1981 and 1984 by Cash, with songs that were meant to be together, but never saw the light of day. A true “lost album” if there ever was one. It was produced by Country Music Hall of Famer Billy Sherrill. READ MORE.

Rosanne Cash – The River & The Thread (January 14th)

NPR says: “Each song is rooted in the Southern soil connecting the old Cash homestead in Arkansas to the family’s ancestral Virginia homeland, expanding to survey the family’s artistic roots in Alabama and Tennessee. Some narratives are fictional, while others mine family lore.”

lucinda-williams-lucinda-williamsLucinda Williams – Lucinda Williams (January 21st)

You’re not seeing double, this is Lucinda Williams’ critically-acclaimed 3rd album from 1988 that many give credit for launching her career. The album went out-of-print and is finally being re-issued by Thirty Tigers. It also comes with an album of live tracks. Just like Johnny Cash, this is not just another re-release, and stands as one of the most anticipated releases of 2014.

Doug PaisleyStrong Feelings (January 21st)

As we found out in 2013, Canada can do country, and do country right. And this Canadian has recruited an impressive list of his Canadian musician buddies including Garth Hudson from The Band to make one of the most-anticipated Canadian country releases of 2014. Did I say Canada enough? Canada Canada. That should do it!

Ray Benson – A Little Piece (January 21st)

Our generation’s King of Western Swing takes some time away from his full time duties as the front man for Asleep At The Wheel to release this solo project through his record label, Bismeaux.

daylight-dark-jason-eadyJason EadyDaylight & Dark (January 21st)

If you love real country, you will love Jason Eady and Daylight & Dark. Following up his critically-acclaimed AM Country Heaven, Eady proves you can serve up country straight, and still have it sound fresh. This album was written with a linear story that runs through all the songs.

Hard Working Americans (Todd Snider) – Hard Working Americans (January 21st)

Yes, this is a band emanating from the unsettled mind of songwriter Todd Snider, and coaxing Neal Casal (Chris Robinson Brotherhood), keyboardist Chad Staehly (Great American Taxi) and Duane Trucks (King Lincoln) on drums to join him.This is a cover album of many songs from Snider’s alt-country/Americana friends.

charlie-parr-hollendaleCharlie Parr – Hollandale (January 28th)

This spellbinding, solo songwriter and performer from Minnesota is one of these criminally-underappreciated guys because he would never be a part of self-promotion or flashy presentation. Being released on Chaperone Records.

Dolly Parton – Blue Smoke (New Zealand, Australia – January. United States & Europe – May)

Yes, strange prioritizing on the release date, but it’s Dolly, so hush up! The release parallels her Blue Smoke World Tour and will be released on “Dolly Records” in conjunction with Sony Masterworks.

scott-biram-nothin-but-bloodScott H. Biram – Nothin’ But Blood (February 4th)

Hide the women and children, the “Dirty Ol’ One Man Band” is back out on the loose with a brand new one from Bloodshot Records that promises to be a bloody good time. Country punk stomp blues at its best!

Suzy Bogguss – Lucky (February 4th)

Suzy doing a Merle Haggard tribute record? This could be cool. “Merle is one of the most masculine songwriters I’ve ever heard, and I’ve been watching boys cover his music for years. I just thought, ‘Why couldn’t a girl do this?’”

Whiskey Myers – Early Morning Shakes (February 4th)

Texas Monthly says: “Early Morning Shakes” may not be destined to make a big impression on a country music audience that’s currently obsessed with pickups, blue jeans, and moonlight, but there are some thrills within for fans of dirty rock and roll.”

Robert-Ellis-The-Lights-From-The-Chemical-Plant-001Robert Ellis – Lights From The Chemical Plant (February 11th)

This could be Robert Ellis’s year. The young songwriter has a much-anticipated album, and also produced another much-anticipated album that may come later in 2014 from The Whiskey Shivers.

Hurray For The Riff Raff – Small Town Heroes (February 11th)

Alynda Lee Segarra was making waves all throughout 2013, and this album from ATO Records featuring her unique, stripped-down Appalachia sound should be a big one.

Lake Street Dive – Bad Self Portraits (February 18th)

2014 could be a big one for Lake Street Dive, and they deserve every bit of it from the talent this throwback band packs. Rachel Price, originally from Hendersonville, TN and a product of the New England Conservatory as a jazz singer is a bona-fide superstar waiting to happen. Feb. 18th can’t get here fast enough.

lydia-loveless-somewhere-elseLydia Loveless – Somewhere Else (February 18th)

On the heels of her fun EP Boy Crazy, Loveless releases her much-anticipated sophomore LP from Bloodshot Records. Part country, part punk, and all attitude, this Ohioan evokes the best of the original punk-gone-country movement. This one should be fun.

Beck – Morning Phase (February)

Okay, you see Beck and you don’t immediately think country, but he has dabbled in the format in the past (go feast your ears on “Rowboat” and thank me later), and with this one he’s talking about it having a very heavy Gram Parson’s influence, so it may be worth a sniff from country fans.

jimbo-mathus_dark-night-of-the-soulJimbo Mathus & the Tri-State Coalition – Dark Night of the Soul (February 18th)

The former (and current, really) front man for the Squirrel Nut Zippers never seems to receive proper acclaim even though he continually delivers one excellent album after another. Don’t sleep on this one.

Even More:

  • Mary Chapin Carpenter Songs from the Movie (Jan 14th)
  • Blue Highway – The Game (Jan 21st)
  • Reverend Horton Heat – Rev (Jan 21st)
  • Ronnie Milsap Summer Number 17 (Jan 28th)
  • Rhonda Vincent Only Me (Jan 28th)
  • Laura Cantrell No Way There from Here (Jan 28th)
  • Eric Church – The Outsiders (Feb. 11th) as if you already didn’t know
  • Dierks Bentley – Riser (Feb 25th)
  • Eli Young Band 10,000 Towns (March 4th)
  • Kevin Fowler How Country Are Ya (March 4th)
  • Martina McBride Everlasting (March 4th)
  • Drive By Truckers – English Oceans (March 12th)

 

The Rumor Mill

Bob Wayne – Back To The Camper

Bob Wayne is no longer with label Century Media, but word is he just finished up recording an album with Andy Gibson (Hank3) in Nashville and it will be released sometime in 2014. Included on the album will be a song with Elizabeth Cook called “20 Miles To Juarez” and a song with country legend Red Simpson. Stay tuned.

The Goddamn Gallows – The Maker

No info on a release as of yet. Was initially said to be released in late 2013.

The Whiskey Shivers

Currently being record or just finished up, this Robert Ellis-produced album could be The Whiskey Shivers’ breakout moment. They’ve been making tons of noise around Austin, playing ACL fest last October, and scheduled to play the Stagecoach Festival in California this year. They are definitely a band to watch.

Hank3

His disposition is to record during the winter, and he dropped a hint of working on a new album on Facebook recently. For all we know from the last few release cycles from Hank3, he might drop 7 albums on our asses all at once, including one built from the sound of Black Cats blowing up found items from around his farm.

Justin Townes Earle

He is amid a contract dispute with a new label, but says, “ I will find a way to get new music out very soon. Will write and record a solo EP. Then Find some grown ups to work with.

The Boomswagglers

Rumor has it a new album is currently being recorded, and will take this underground country cult favorite to the next level. More deets coming.

Slackeye Slim is also working on a new album.

Matt Woods hopes to have a new album out in March.

Who else? Share your intel below!

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