Josh Woodward - Crawford Street

I'm not very good at writing CD reviews yet, but I'm trying real hard for this great album. So here we go, and don't forget to buy it here

From the unbelievably detuned E string that starts the disc, you realize this is going to be a different kind of album. The disc provides the listener with a very dark reflective feel throughout, with only a few rays of sunshine peeking through(Hey Ruth). Josh’s guitar playing always amazes me in a live setting, but when it comes time to record he usually focuses in on the groove and melody, so the song can stand on its own two feet. His vocals remind me very much of Paul Simon, but to a lesser extent Elliot Smith. The Albums production is what sets it apart from the typical “guy with an acoustic guitar album”. Drums, organ, bass, background vocals, piano, electric guitar, and accordion all find their neat little pocket to keep the listener excited. In the realm of songwriting I truly believe that no one comes close to his level of detail, in both lyrics and melody.

Line like this Sum it up:

“No me, I'm not married, at least not anymore
I couldn't pay all of her bills from the factory floor
I spent time in the Army, they taught me how to fight
Until I came to my senses and saw that it just wasn't right”

“you once were lit ablaze with the fire of your younger days
you blinded everyone you met
you never were the same, since dublin's night consumed your flame
and stole the matches from your pocket
the hudson's freezing, but your braincells keep on squeezing 'round the
thought that you must swim away today
from the staten island ferry on the coldest night in january
it's cambodia or bust”

My CD "Rivertown" is finally available online, via CDbaby.

Iron and Wine - "Our Endless Numbered Days"

I have been truly amazed by this CD for the past couple months, and I'm trying to figure out why. It is a fairly simple CD, and most of the songs use easy open-postion chords, but something about it grabs me. The whispery lead vocalist is almost always complimented by a smooth female harmony singer(which I guess is his sister) which reminds me most of Simon & Garfunkle more than anything else. The production is what really shines on this album, the guitar tone is perfect(very nick drake-ish) while the additional instrumentation(slide, banjo, drums) keeps the album moving along.

Iron & wine unfortunately gets grouped into this neo-folk scene(or whatever they are calling it these days), but unlike any of those artists, everyone can enjoy listening to this CD. I would definately pick this album up

Jeffrey Foucault-Miles From the Lightning

Wow, now this is one of the best CD's I've ever heard. To be honest it's so good, I kinda have a hard time describing what it sounds like to people. I guess it's sorta like Bruce Springsteen's "Nebraska" or Bob Dylan's "The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan". When it comes to songwriting Foucault really blows this thing out of the park. His lyrics are dark, but very convincing. On guitar he plays in a sorta folk-blues style, but for the most part pretty simple stuff(nothing more is needed). His melodies fit the lyrics so well, and they have that old gospel/blues feel. His voice is very much like Kelly joe Phelps....who is also great if you haven't heard him yet. I'm dissapointed that this album isn't more popular, his record label doesn't seem to do much promo. So check out his stuff, and buy all of his albums, you won't be dissapointed-