Posts by Lee Zimmerman

Apparently pleased with the freedom found the first time he devoted an entire EP to songs of other artists, Greg Laswell offers a belated sequel a full decade later and expands its content in the process. Like its predecessor, Covers II mostly leans towards the obscure, but here, as before, it matters very little. Laswell’s […]

The Lumineers obviously have a lot to live up to. Ever since they released their eponymous break-out album in 2012, they have been able to further their reputation as a mainstream folk-pop outfit with a decided penchant for garnering populist appeal. Their early hit “Ho Hey” practically lit up the airwaves, not to mention its […]

To those that know his work somewhat distantly or perhaps only through an occasional encounter, Gruff Rhys may appear to be a bit of an eccentric. Those more familiar with his past proceedings will recognize the fact that he tends to dig deeply into his Welsh roots. Both tendencies stem from his seminal efforts with […]

“I never had a hangover I liked,” Jason Hawk Harris sings on “Cussing at the Light,” the second song on his superb full-length solo debut, the aptly titled Love & The Dark via Bloodshot. It’s a somewhat understated statement, but one that reflects his ability to take what he’s given and then rally and rise above […]

Over the past few years, Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors have gradually assumed the role of populist troubadours, a fan-friendly ensemble that cultivates good vibes and a catalog of unimposing tunes well suited for their accompaniment. With their decidedly agreeable new album Dragons they further that stance, offering a set of songs that mostly plough […]

Tyler Ramsey literally had nothing to prove when he opted to put his solo career in second gear and join forces with Band of Horses for a tour in 2007. That stint with the group became a decade long association, one that found him splitting his time between his individual pursuits and writing and recording […]

Steve Hackett’s stature as a prog pioneer goes well beyond his seminal stint with Genesis. Although he’s maintained the band’s early signature sound in his own recordings, he’s also added inventive elements of his own to further illuminate a distinctive progressive posture. On his exceptional new album, dramatically dubbed At The Edge of Light, Hackett employs […]

[rating=8.00] Guster has always done especially well by defying description. Known mostly for their populist appeal, their fan-friendly attitude is defined by their tolerance for free taping of their concerts, a genuine sense of spontaneity and a feeling of carefree exuberance that pervades everything they offer. It’s hardly surprising then that the band’s new album […]

[rating=9.00] Despite whatever inferences are implied by their handle, Greensky Bluegrass rely more on their own invention and less on the more arcane strains of traditional bluegrass. Not that they’ve turned their back on those vintage strains entirely, but they’re clearly also adept at molding and shaping them to allow for a new breed of […]

[rating=9.00] There’s a certain sense of deja vu that’s unmistakably evident in Joe Jackson’s new album Fool, his 20th studio outing to date. While the sophisticated sheen of Night and Day is especially prominent in the proceedings, the instant allure heard in such songs as the beat-heavy title track and the snappy, upbeat offerings “Friend […]

[rating=8.00] It’s not easy at the outset to get a handle on Finally Free, the eighth album in as many years from Daniel Romano. Romano’s obsession with psychedelic folk is well documented, but the atmospheric ambiance he imbues into songs such as “Empty Husk” and “All the Reaching Trims” informs this effort as a whole. […]

[rating=10.00] Given the spate of reissues, compilations and greatest hits, it’s hard to believe that the Jimi Hendrix Experience only recorded three actual studio albums during the guitarist’s all too brief tenure on the planet. It’s harder still to sort out which of those three — Are You Experienced, Axis Bold As Love or Electric […]

Roxy Music’s nomination for induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame offers an intriguing opportunity to recognize an unorthodox outfit for its ingenuity and innovation. In reality, that hardly qualifies as a fate complete, given the fact that the Hall of Fame isn’t necessarily known for rewarding rock’s more adventurous outfits. It was […]

[ratiing=9.00] Although we may be well removed from R.E.M.’s final offering either on stage or in the studio, it’s obvious that these four indie rock icons are still an indelible influence on today’s alternative ethos. What better reminder could come along then a collection of the band’s best performances on the BBC, recorded live at […]

[rating=8.00] The nom de plume for sisters and multi-instrumentalists Rebecca and Megan Lovell, Larkin Poe was named for an early ancestor who was both a Civil War veteran and a distant cousin of Edgar Allen Poe. It’s little wonder then that throughout their recording career they’ve managed to fashion a sound that’s been as insistent […]

[rating=8.00] After five albums at the helm of the Atlanta-based band the Whigs, as well as countless tours and television appearances, Parker Gispert found himself at the proverbial crossroads when the group decided to take a hiatus in 2017. He had done solo shows before, mostly stripped down covers of the songs he had written […]

[rating=10.00] Last year’s re-release of Sgt Pepper proved that there’s ample interest in reexamining a Beatles masterpiece and uncovering the outtakes, seminal efforts and experiments that went into ratcheting up the results. Truth be told that there’s a treasure trove of rarities that have yet to be uncovered, the Anthology series and endless onslaught of […]

It hardly seems possible that the golden-haired waif who represented the innocence and purity residing at the core of all ‘60s sensibilities turns 75 on November 7th. Joni Mitchell was — and still is — the quintessential folk goddess whose songs provided a soothing serenity during otherwise tumultuous times. They guided the way towards a […]

[rating=9.00] One need venture no further into the depth and breadth of Granville Automatic’s new album Radio Hymns than its first tracks, the soothingly harmonious “Summer Street,” to feel totally enticed. It’s a song of such compelling command, it’s tempting to simply put the player on repeat and hear it again repeatedly before proceeding to […]

[rating=8.00] There’s little surprise herein. And that’s a good thing. The mellow, atmospheric, softly seductive sound Dean Wareham crafted at the helm of the indie prog bands Galaxie 500 and Luna find a new genesis in this duo effort with fellow traveler Cheval Sombre, and the results are every bit as alluring as one would […]