Request “Carry My Body Down” on RootHog Radio.

I’m embarrassed to admit I had not heard of Rob Baird until last fall a friend had her iPod on random and I was struck by a song.  I asked to listen again, and it was The Lonely Road. I loved it and we listened to the entire CD.  Twice.

That is exactly how I felt when I got the new one, I Swear It’s The Truth. With only one listen, I was completely consumed with Rob Baird.  It’s been nearly a month and it continues to be a staple of my day.

Most of the songs on the album are about loneliness, broken hearts and breaking hearts – fairly typical themes, but definitely not typical lyrics from a 25-year old.  Although Rob says he has had a little heartbreak in his life, his main inspiration comes from watching people and trying to empathize with their emotions.

My favorite “Along the Way”, is the second cut, co-written with Ryan Beaver. You can feel the heartbreak in Rob’s voice, which is the test of a really good song and a really great artist.  “I was there for the taking, but you just kept on breaking my troubled heart, along the way”  

“Redemption” is another incredibly stirring and emotional song, co-written by Rick Brantly, it speaks to the loneliness and sorrow we feel after a relationship gone wrong. .- I almost expect him to break out in tears at the end.  “there’s somebody that I still miss, her name barely leaves my lips.  She comes to me in the darkest dreams, makes me wish for the sweetest things.  She loved me like I didn’t deserve, and I could never find the words.”

“Everybody’s looking for something real or something more, now I need something I can’t ignore-redemption…”

One of the few songs he didn’t have a hand in writing, Julie Miller’s “I Can’t Get Over You” is a perfect addition to the album and includes harmony from The Trisha’s Kellie Mickwee.  Again, you can hear the pain and loneliness in his voice and the lyrics tell the story of denial at the end of a relationship. “When I turn to leave, my heart stays behind cause I can’t get over you…I keep moving on, running hard and fast, but everywhere that I run to, I’m just standing still, living in the past, cause I can’t get over you.”

Although those are my a few of my favorites,  I Swear it’s the Truth is one that should be listened to as a whole.  Rob Baird has really grown as a songwriter since he put out Blue Eyed Angel in 2010 and the lyrics are much more thoughtful.  He says the album is closer to his truth, which is the reason behind the title.

It’s full of solid writing talent, with collaborators, Ryan Beaver, Drew Kennedy, Andrew Combs and Rick Brantley among others with only three songs he didn’t collaborate on. The musical talent from Hayes Carl’s band members Scott Davis (album producer), Kenny Smith and Cody Foote contribute guitar, banjo, piano, drums and bass. Several other musicians round out the record including Keith Gattis and members of Baird’s band Nate Coon and Woodrow Morgan. Kellie Mickwee  and Ed Jurdi and Gordy Quist from The Band of Heathens  contribute back-up vocals.

The emotion behind all the songs is stirring and poignant.  This is not a party band record, but an authentic  collection of great songwriting to sit and listen to, much like Jason Isbell, Adam Hood or Will Hoge.

From the first note to the last, Rob Baird delivers an album that I consider one of the best of 2012.  ~JT

Goes with: Adam Hood, Jason Isbell, Will Hoge

Buy “I Swear It’s The Truth” at Amazon.

I grew up swimming in the Gulf of Mexico, looking at an offshore oil rig on the horizon. When we got out of the ocean, we had to wipe the tarry goop off our feet and other odd places it wound up. My dad kept lighter fluid for this purpose. Can you imagine us? Sunburned rednecks in the seventies, dad smoking and wiping us up with lighter fluid?

We had no idea this was bad. It was our beach and we were glad to have it. There was no terrible oil spill that I remember, this was just life at the beach within eyesight of an oil rig.

The Bird Dogs have a protest song about gas wells, the fancy new cousin to oil drilling. Now, we all know gas wells are perfectly safe, will make your children’s teeth white, and will even walk your dog for you. Or, they at least won’t ruin your family’s health or the environment. Somehow, the Bird Dogs don’t agree with those sentiments in their protest song Devil In The Well. In a bit of strange serendipity, the OIL 150′s Oil and Gas dictionary* entry for the word “bird dog” says:

1. An early term used for geologists, who were so called because they were supposed to be able to “smell out” oil.  2.  Any person who ferreted out information and bird dogged it to other companies.  3.  A snooper or hanger-on who watches oil-field activities with the intention of getting information.

I had a hard time understanding some of the lyrics. On a song like this, I especially wish I could have rustled up some of the lyrics for a better interpretation. I did make out the satirical Sarah Palin line… Drill, baby, drill!

One phrase I definitely caught was “frack revolution” which was quite a nice phrase, I thought. (Fracking is a term  used in gas drilling).  If you’re like me and can’t make out all the lyrics but would like to know a little more, check out the movie Gasland by Josh Fox. The movie and the site both have more factual information about the problem. 

Their homepage is one of the more well written, entertaining ones I’ve read. (And, I’ve read enough to make my eyes bleed. I don’t look this way due to a hangover. Nor, actually due to fracking. At least I don’t think so.)

Describing themselves and their “education,” they say:

Steve French: Frenchy–Proprietor of the House of Guitar (brought to you by Fender) with a painter’s stroke on the pedal steel and an outlaw’s trigger finger on the tele. Undergrad work done at Garcia’s University of Gumbo Rock and graduate degree earned from the Bakersfield Academy of country music.

Randy Anderson: Tall Man–Phrasemaker, Dylanologist, and folk archivist. The one who tells the stories, pays the debts and names the names. Blues, ballads, and blasters composed with Frenchy and Slim for more than 30 years. Biggest of a big bunch.

Neil Farris: Senor Slim–survivor of the Cornell Hurd Band and a gallery of groups from galaxies long ago and far away, now the stately coiffed dean of the Dogs with smooth vocals and gritty guitar. A pilgrim to the land where Liverpool meets Memphis and Nashville, long before Lowe and Costello ever looked at the map.

Charlie Eadie: Dr. Buck–baseball illusionist and earthquake expert. Formerly conductor of the Santa Cruz Mystery Train and now keen eyed bottom dweller and groovesetter for the Dogs. Member of the slow pitch softball Hall of Fame.

Don Brelje–Dancing Don–notetaker and knight of the keyboard. Supplies the effects that brush the edges and distinguish the recipe. First to come and last to leave. Minister at the First Church of Enthusiasm.

Loren Rendler–The Kid–youth belies experience. Veteran of the Rock Wars and recent refugee to the land of Lyle and Loretta. Bard of the back beat and sage of the cymbals. Was born in a bass drum and proud of it.

Larry Martin: The Boss–aural tester and chef of sound. When he hears, it’s really there. Part time band psychologist and confessor. Full time lord of the open road.

With a gift for the written (or sung) word like this, you know they have a way with the language. Now, if you know the lyrics to this song, send them to me!

UPDATE:

I got the lyrics and they’re grand. Here’s a sampling:

About had enough of your trucks tearing up our farm to market road
I hear the drilling at night as it rattle thru my home
It’s on you, what going on, what do we do, if something is wrong

(chorus)
There’s a Devil in the well, drill baby drill and unleash hell
Don’t worry about the water or the air, There’s gold down in the ground
so what do we care, a Devil in the well.

Just reasonable people looking for a reasonable solution
I’ve seen what you’ve done to Denton County with your frackin polution
It’s on you, what’s going on, what’ll we do, if something is wrong

*Based on Lube Lingo by Roxanne Hitchcock

Goes Good With: Pete Seeger, Bob Dylan, Randy Rogers

Rating: 6.5 (until I can really read the lyrics)9/10

Now I know that most of you are probably cussing me right now and thinking  ”who the hell does this guy think he is?” Well, to answer, I am just a fan. I am a fan of music. I am a fan of the small town farmer. I am a fan of the kids in FFA raising show cows. And I was, and will likely be again at some point, a Josh Abbott fan. I just do not understand his thinking behind this album.

In essence what we got was a 6 song EP, with some cool bonus tracks. And I’m sorry but the remaining tracks are cheesy, lifeless, or just rather unimpressive. I know that Josh has come out and said that this was meant to be somewhat of a tribute album to small town folks. I understand that completely. I would even have almost believed it had he said anything like that prior to the album being released. But looking back on the internet, and trying to remember on my own, I can’t recall a single time when it was referred to as a tribute album prior to the release.

We get it man, you came from a small town. But you don’t live there any more. And you don’t have to try so hard to convince people you are still in touch with your roots. The point behind working hard is to raise up and make good. You are that small town kid makes it big story. This album wasn’t believable. And to me, that’s what makes good music. I don’t buy Jason Aldean on a big green tractor any more than I believe when you “sing about yours.”

Sounds Like: Not gonna go there

Rating: 5/10

Buy “Small Town Family Dream” at Amazon.

Buy “Small Town Family Dream” at iTunes.

Buy “Small Town Family Dream” at CD Universe.

It is not a she cheated, or he is a drunk story behind the break up.  The man in the relationship has come to realize that the woman he loves, is not happy. He feels that he is holding her back, or holding her down and setting her free.

“you don’t have to say it

you could never be so cruel

just go ahead and wave goodbye

like you’re trying to play it cool”

“So so long baby

go out and give ‘em hell

so so long baby

just know I wish you well.”

The combination of the unique vocal stylings of Bryon White and Gabe Marshall, who share lead vocal duties, and the amazing blend of musical talent behind them creates something unlike anything you have heard before. The Damn Quails have found something different, unique, and refreshing. Music that can make you feel like you have found something new. Like you have found music that’s being uncovered for the first time, and worthy of being listened to… and not just noise to be heard.

Sounds Like: Nothing you have heard before

Rating: 10/10

Buy “So So Long” at Amazon. 

With  ‘Goodbye Normal Street’ ,the third release from the Turnpike boys, the guys have not only picked up where they left off with ‘Diamonds & Gasoline‘, they have well surpassed it. This album shows tons of growth both musically and lyrically. They have again put together an album that never fails. From the first song to the last, it will keep you tapping your feet and singing along. The overall themes of the proud, blue-collar, hardworking man and longing for lost loves are still present albeit with a slightly darker tone perhaps.

‘Goodbye Normal Street’ is a stand-alone product that doesn’t need to sound like anything they have released previously to make you love it. It still has all of the elements of the Troubadours that their fans will love. Amazing fiddle, superb guitar, foot stomping bass beats and lyrics that pull you in. Add to that some incredible guest vocals by Jamie Wilson  of The Trishas on Call a Spade a Spade and  I quite literally dare you to find a song that is less than great. The Turnpike Troubadours have done what they do best. Make music that sounds like nothing else out there, and done it at a level that no one could come close to.

Sounds Like: the very best of bluegrass, folk, americana, red dirt.

Rating: 9/10

Buy “Goodbye Normal Street” at Amazon.

Buy “Goodbye Normal Street” at iTunes.

Buy “Goodbye Normal Street” at CD Universe.

Click on any poster below to see the full poster.

Though Branan appears as your average indie star, he opens his mouth that’s when you know there is something special. The words that flow out of his mouth show he’s a sensitive fellow making a wayward journey through life. What is most intriguing about Branan is not that he is playing his guitar in a Snuggie on his website, but that he gets more poetic with each album. Not only does he have a way with words, but his voice is incredible. He can deliver alt country lullabies, but he could easily front any band with a punk edge.

In 2002 Branan entered the scene with “The Hell You Say.” This album fit directly in with Whiskeytown and even similar to The New Pornographers. The songs were upbeat and light, but distinctive to his country roots. As he released “12 Songs” in 2006 or his split with Jon Snodgrass in 2009, Branan dug a little deeper revealing sounds that almost entrance you at times when you’re not tapping your toes.

“Mutt” is a diverse mix that shows influences from all of his earlier work, while allowing
him room to grow as an artist. While listening to “Mutt” it’s not unlikely to go through a variety of mood swings, starting with missing the one that got away during “The Corner.” In this song he sings, “Once I had a casual acquaintance with my impending doom/years ago he promised me some day soon/I’d howl at the moon from room to room.” Later in the album “Karen’s Song” is an ode to a love that makes life seem better. “Been following a compass that always pointed south. Everybody said it’s busted, and sometimes I had my doubts, but it led me through the world and it led me to a town and it led me to your love.” The way he sings along with a guitar that makes you close your eyes and follow the sound. Despite a few upbeat numbers, the album ends on a somber note with “The Survivor Song (After Hours).”

Personal Quick Hit: Though it’s a heavy listen, “Mutt” was a very moving album. I’m a fan of music that makes me feel things when I listen to music, and Cory Branan has achieved that.

Goes Good With: Ryan Adams, Elliott Smith, Tom Waitts

Rating: 8/10

Buy “Mutt” at Amazon.