In a Nutshell: Ryan Dishen "New Window" album review

In a nutshell is halfway between my "first listen" and full album reviews. I listen all the way through a record ONCE and spew my thoughts...here is what I thought of Ryan Dishen's record "New Window"...

 

WOAH, my headphones were up to loud. Ryan Dishen’s new record “New Window” launches in with “Past the Golden Gate”. The vocals are reminiscent of some early 90s punk music in the annunciating and overall tone, but the music is kind of joyful and exultant in its other sonic qualities. Its a bit more acoustic I guess...but with a lot of other moving parts. Its not heavy on the grunge overdrive pedal, that is a good thing. He likens himself to songwriter Kristian Matsson (“Tallest Man on Earth”) which I can see the resemblance of, perhaps a tad heavier.

The record is filled with interesting synth, bells, guitars and percussion additions. The vocal harmonies run rampant. I really enjoy the musicality and interesting instrumentation throughout the record. Its well recorded and mixed. 

“The Sidewalk Shakes” doesn’t really do it for me…it’s a little too “Blink 182” punk vocals for me (listen to pronunciation of “year” in the first line). Thought I do have to say, at least Dishen is sticking to his own sound, taking what are obviously his own influences and changing things up to be his own sound. I certainly commend him for being an artist in that respect. The opening and closing track (closing has a mandolin in it, so you know I am won over) are probably my two highlights. The “punk influence” is there, but not as obvious and blatant as on some of the other tracks. The arrangements on both tracks are different and interesting. “Enemies on the Horizon” is another stand out track for me.

In a nutshell, I would give this another listen. It’s a good record for a day at the office doing work, going for a run, or a long car ride. Stands up rather well in all instances and is interesting enough that all the songs don’t sound the same. The record has a nice variety, commercial appeal, and isn’t like most cookie-cutter stuff out there in the genre. 

Give a listen for yourself on http://ryandishen.bandcamp.com/

Also here: http://ryandishen.com/

AWESOME show/tour/series that you should be checking out!

Some of the city's best songwriters paying respect to those that inspire them? Also playing their own tunes that were inspired by said artists?  Sounds pretty damn bad ass to me...and wait, its happening right here in our fair city next Wednesday (October 9th) and then traveling around the east coast? Even better!

For The Sake of The Song is the brain child of Oklahoma/Nashville/Berlin transplant Patrick Coman. Gathering together great songwriters to either choose a songwriter to pay tribute to, organize an entire show around one songwriter, or play an entire record front to back are just a few of the incredible things that he has organized over the past four years of this series' existence. Now he is taking the show on the road again to show the folks of the country what this is all about. Do NOT miss this. It's going to be a great show (all of 'em!). Read on for the more official release and information on the happenings of this great event...

For The Sake of the Song Roadshow Pays Tribute to Townes Van Zandt, Ryan Adams, and Willie Nelson October 9^th at Club Passim

Three Unique Performers, Three Timeless Artists, Plus Inspired Originals, Fresh Arrangements of Classic Songs, and More!

The For the Sake of the Song Roadshow is a touring concert series which showcases top up-and-coming songwriters performing songs from their greatest influences alongside their own material. Join the series founder, Patrick Coman, and fellow songwriters John Colvert and Greg Klyma on Wednesday, October 9^th at Club Passim in Cambridge for a night of homage, discussion, storytelling, and, of course, music. 

“As the founder and chief organizer of For the Sake of the Song, Coman has done the seemingly unthinkable by reinventing cover songs into something fresh and novel.” -Weekly Dig, Boston

The trio will perform in-the-round, each representing an artist that has had a profound effect on their own songwriting.  Coman (Townes Van Zandt), Colvert (Ryan Adams), and Aanestad (Ray Charles) will share a personal, in-depth look at their songwriting, and discuss how their respective artist has influenced their own work.

For the Sake of the Song Roadshow
Wednesday, October 9th at 8pm
Club Passim (47 Palmer St., Cambridge, MA)
Tickets: $12 ($10 for Passim members)

For more information and tickets visit www.forthesakeofthesong.com and www.clubpassim.org. See press assets at http://forthesakeofthesong.com/about/

Click here to see the Latest Episode of For the Sake of the Song online!

The For the Sake of the Song concert series was founded by Americana singer/songwriter Patrick Coman in 2009 when he relocated to Boston after stints in Nashville and Berlin, Germany. Over the past four years it has grown from its humble begins as a house concert series to a monthly residency and live taping at Boston’s legendary Johnny D’s. The traveling Roadshow has been hosted at premier venues throughout the Northeast like the Jalopy Theatre (Brooklyn, NY), Iron Horse Music Hall (Northampton, MA), and World Café Live (Wilmington, DE).

First Listen: Marshall Artz "I Don't Believe You"

If someone reaches out more than once I like to at least try and give it a chance. Marshall Artz did just that, so I gave them a first listen of their queued up track on ReviewShine called “I Don’t Believe You” off the record “To Be Continued”. Here are my first thoughts…

The track cuts in with some nicely recorded guitar parts. A well picked rhythm guitar, harmonica, some acoustic noolding. Pretty standard for the genre, but it sound nice, pleasing to the ear, and I settle in for a good listen. The recording is crisp and clear. The guitars and harp parts work together in a melodic and charming way that pulls you in a bit. The simplicity lends itself nicely to the song for the most part and surprising fills out the sound quite a bit, given its just two dudes with guitars. The lead parts are very nicely played though the solo goes on a bit longer than I anticipated (if I am being picky from an arrangement standpoint).

As far as the songwriting and singing, I really enjoy about 95% of the singing here. But, there is a strange end phrasing to the last lines of the verses that isn’t all that interesting and feels a little odd and out of place to me. Not the typical conviction I look for in a song. Dylan-esque in nature, but “put on” a little bit (“I don’t belieeeeeve you”). I can empathize with that bit though, as it seems every guy with a guitar and a harmonica rack gets compared to Dylan in some way. But I feel like the thought was purposely there in the singing that “I am going to sound a little like Bob right here”. 

Do I dislike this music? No, not at all. For the most part, this song is a nice and pleasant listen, but it falls a tad flat for me in the “this really stands out” realm. I think it likely works well on radio and most folks will react very well to this music. If I was out in a bar and these guys were playing, I would sure tune in and listen for their set. I think there is a lot of potential here I will have to give a listen to the rest of this record today and see where I stand then…til then, give a listen for yourself 

 and see what you think.

Online at: http://www.marshallartz.com/

Show You Should Know: “Not really sure what to call the band” at Toad w/ Ward Hayden, Dave Deluca, Paul Dilley, and Mike Piehl

“Americana” didn’t really exist as it does now around 6 years ago. Now it seems every act around town with some sad songs and a banjo can be Americana. Whether or not that’s a good thing is entirely up to you, but I personally feel that it provides as safe haven, an umbrella if you will for musicians to gather under and really create a community with artists that may differ slightly sonically, but hold the same ideals.

One person I truly credit for fostering that movement in the beginning is Ward Hayden of Girls, Guns and Glory. Ward is a wealth of knowledge of class country and roots music, a true purveyor and love of the music of yester-year…not to mention a hell of a song writer and holy hell, what a killer crooner this guy is. GGG paved the way for a lot of folks who were a bit too country for rock, but too rock for country. And for that I thank you.

Dave Deluca heads up the band Highway Ghosts, but that is just the tip of the iceberg for his involvement in the local scene. Helping out with the New England Americana Festival, co-hosting a local series called “Roots in the Round” with a certain other musician, and being seen out at all the clubs in town, catching great bands and mingling on (what seems like) every single night of the week. This guy truly loves being a part of this local music scene and rocking with whoever is around when there is a guitar in the room.

Rounded out with the always on point and tasteful bass stylings of Paul Dilley (also of Girls, Guns and Glory; Bluegrass the Band; and more) and the expert drumming of Mike Piehl will make TONIGHT’s show at Toad in Porter Square a hell of a time.

I am sure there will be some Girls Guns and Glory tunes, a few Highway Ghosts jams, and certainly some great classic covers put forth from these guys…I am putting bets that Deluca plays “I’ve Just Seen a Face” and if they don’t play “White Freight Liner” you may have a couple disappointed fans ( see this video from last Thursday at Lizard Lounge http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YlB_nMeFTrs ).

That show is tonight at Toad in Porter Square, 1912 Mass Ave. Cambridge, MA. Never a cover, always good music.

http://www.toadcambridge.com/

The Whiskey Boys "Time Machine" album review

The Whiskey Boys have undergone a transformation over the past year, and it has really boded well for the group. Fleshing the outfit to include 5 total members (guitar, bass, fiddle, banjo, and mandolin), the sound is fuller, more powerful, and really grabs you by the head with two hands, pulls you in close and screams “LISTEN!” right in your face. Singer, fiddler, songwriter, and band leader David Delaney has truly found his voice in this new line up. His voice is more confident and robust and he has matured deeply as a songwriter and lyricist. 

The arrangements on this record are very powerful and well thought out throughout the 10 tracks (11 if you count the bonus track). I really get hints of Punch Brothers here, and it’s not just the instrumentation. There is truly some inspired musicianship and song structuring going on with this new record. There is no “3 chord bluegrass progression number 1” here. Each part of every song is artfully crafted and orchestrated. Sure, the boys have that hint of bluegrass in the tunes and the instrument choices certainly reflect that, but this is something special and different about this music.

“Burn my Earth” is the first track and it kicks in…it kicks in hard…real hard. It just has a killer groove to the song. Delaney’s voice is on point here, the band all sings out during the chorus line, it has a great, great energy to it. The solo trade offs are incredible (especially that damn banjo, man!), the fiddle playing is prime, all the pieces really just fit and this tune sets the stage for the entire record to just be energized and hit you intensely.

What does every good record need? Why, an instrumental tune of course. “The Whiskey Stumble”,

written by guitar player Michael Warren (from what I understand). Really encompasses that feeling. I honestly feel like I am stumbling my way around a saloon in a haze of that brown liquor. There is also a collective ensemble of bar room banter and clinking glasses in the background throughout the track. All of the boys are tight on their musical performances on the instrumental, the turn around, rise, and resolution of the song is great. And the ambiance that this track manages to attain is really quite excellent.

The title track “Time Machine” is where the Punch Brothers comparison comes in strong. The kick off is lead by a very jazzy influenced guitar. The word phrasing isn’t typical and predictable, it’s distinct and exciting. A really beautiful track that coaxes the listener along. The band firmly displays their remarkable musicianship without being pretentious. It is a really great track.

“2012” is an intensely instrospective and sincere track. Delaney really airs out the laundry here and shares a lot of the past year for better or worse. I think this song really is the basis for my feeling of his maturing as a songwriter. I am thrilled to see that his writing has gotten so deep and personal. As fun as previous released tracks like “Washington is Coming” are to listen to, I don’t get that deep seeded emotion and personal sharing level from them. I think being able to share something personal in a song is the most intimate way you can share something with folks and I applaud Delaney for this track.

If I’ve learned just one damn thing / If I’ve learned one thing in this goddamned year

If I’ve learned anything at all / Staring darkly into whiskeys and beers

Each member adds their own special touch to this group. Mark Whitaker’s banjo playing is nothing short of pure brilliance, Delaney’s roll as band leader is evident and he really pushes the band along (plus he is a killer fiddle player). Guitarist Michael Warren’s jazz background fits tightly in with the band as well, tasteful, but at times (where needed) he really can let loose and let that rootsy feel shine through. Rhythm is held down tightly and the foundation of these songs, ala bassist Jon Polit and the chop of the mandolin courtesy of Jeff Butcher (though some really tasty mando licks are also prevalent by Butcher throughout the work).

This is just the beginning for The Whiskey Boys as they currently stand. I can say that I am sincerely excited for where the guys are going next. This is truly a great and exciting project for these fellas.

Be sure to check them out at their CD release show later on in October 19^th at the Lizard Lounge. (Details below) and online at http://www.whiskeyboys.com/

Buy Tickets to TWB CD release 

Saturday 10/19 - "TIME MACHINE" CD RELEASE SHOW!
THE WHISKEY BOYS
with TRICKY BRITCHES
$15 advance / $15 at the door
8:30 doors / 9:30 show (Tricky Britches @ 9:15 / Whiskey Boys @ 10:30)
www.whiskeyboys.com
www.trickybritches.com