ROUTES-cast February 16, 2025

ROUTES & BRANCHES

featuring the very best of americana, alt.country and roots music

February 16, 2025

Scott Foley, purveyor of dust

In the neverending music-go-round that is Routes & Branches, we've tried to do our best to keep things focused on the music. We don't pull back the curtain too often to address what's happening Behind the Music. We're yanking on the drapes today, updating our dedicated reader(s) on what to expect when you tune into our blog. 

We'll keep it short and to the point here. Other commitments (stuff that pays a little better than blogging) are compromising our attention. Starting right here, right now, we're going to apply our limited attention span to the stuff that has always mattered most - this recurring Spotify ROUTES-cast thing that we deliver every Sunday. That, and our Routes & Branches Guide To Feeding Your Monster. Anything besides that will be bonus content, be it reviews, other lists, news, etc. 

Someday when we grow up, we hope to be able to dedicate seven days of blood, sweat, and tears to this thing, but that won't happen today. Rest assured you're still getting the very best of what we do here at R&B HQ, drawing your attention to music that matters, shoving you unceremoniously into the sandbox of music discovery. Please behave. 

ROUTES-cast February 16, 2025

^ James Felice, "Barry's Blues" The Little Ones  (Million Stars, 25)  D

- Beirut, "Guericke's Unicorn" A Study Of Losses  (Pompeii, Apr 18)  D

- Delines, "Don't Miss the Bus Lorraine" Mr Luck and Ms Doom  (El Cortez, 25)

- Lucette, "Too Soon For Sorry" Nice Girl From the Suburbs EP  (Prairie Blue, Mar 21)

- Them Coulee Boys, "As Long As You Let Me" No Fun In the Chrysalis  (Some Fun, Feb 28)

- Sarah Borges, "Mercy Of the Moon" single  (Lakeside Lounge, 25)  D

- Jason Isbell, "Foxes In the Snow" Foxes In the Snow  (Southeastern, Mar 7)

- Gary Louris, "Listening To Bobby Charles" Dark Country  (SHAM, 25)

- Justin Wells, "Up There With the Angels" Cynthiana  (Wells, Feb 20)

- Arny Margret, "Greyhound Station" I Miss You I Do  (one little independent, Mar 7)

- Will Stewart, "Late For the Banquet" Moon Winx  (Earth Libraries, Feb 28)

- Mike Frazier, "Ballard Avenue" April Days  (Geneva, Apr 25)

- Ron Pope, "Nobody's Gonna Make It Out Alive" American Man American Music  (Brooklyn Basement, 25)

- Kristina Murray, "Watchin' the World Pass Me By" Little Blue  (Normaltown, May 9)  D

- Adam Hood & Brent Cobb, "Four On the Floor" single  (Southern Songs, 25)  D

- Larry Fleet, "Hard Work & Holy Water" single  (Fleet, 25)  D

- Sam Outlaw, "I Never Saw Him Cry" Nonessential Sam Outlaw  (Black Hills, Mar 24)  D

- Jason Boland & the Stragglers, "Take Me Back To Austin" Last Kings Of Babylon  (Proud Souls, Mar 14)

- Muscadine Bloodline, "Chickasaw Church Of Christ" And What Was Left Behind  (Stancaster, Apr 11)  D

- Matt Steinfeld, "So He Claims" single  (Steinfeld, 25)  D

- Leif Vollebekk, "LOVE." single  (Secret City, 25)  D

- Savanna Conley, "If You Don't Want My Love" Playing the Part Of Them Is Me EP  (Good Boy Leo, 25)  D

- Will Stratton, "Bardo Or Heaven" Points Of Origin  (Bella Union, Mar 7)

- Futurebirds, "Patron Lady Beautiful" Let's Go Dancing: Songs Of Kevn Kinney  (Tasty Goody, 25)

- Ben Kweller, "Dollar Store (ft Waxahatchee)" Cover the Mirrors  (Noise, May 30)

- Minus 5, "Words & Birds" Oar On Penelope  (Yep Roc, May 30)  D

- Dead Gowns, "See People" It's Summer I Love You and I'm Surrounded By Snow  (Mtn Laurel, 25)

- Candi Staton, "My God Has a Telephone (ft William Bell)" Back to My Roots  (Beracah, 25)  D

- Massy Ferguson, "So Long Carry On" You Can't Tell Me I'm Not What I Used To Be  (North and Left, 25)

- William Tyler, "Concern" Time Indefinite  (Psychic Hotline, Apr 25)  D

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To enjoy any Spotify ROUTES-cast, just open Spotify and search for "routesandbranches" to access this most recent playlist, as well as many others from past months.  Or click here for a preview:

WHAT's SO GREAT ABOUT THiS WEEK?!! (February 15, 2025)

ROUTES & BRANCHES

featuring the very best of americana, alt.country and roots music

February 15, 2025

Scott Foley, purveyor of dust

WHAT's SO GREAT ABOUT THiS WEEK?!!  (February 15, 2025)

Beirut, "Guericke's Unicorn" A Study Of Losses  (Pompeii, Apr 18)

Our kind of music is really not known for the creativity and innovation of its videos, but here's an exception. As we mentioned in yesterday's post, Zach Condon's forthcoming Beirut record is the soundtrack to a Swedish circus. "Guericke's Unicorn" is as terrific as a Beirut song can be, with a lovely video to match.  Per Condon: I had been pigeonholed for years as a whimsical circus waif, full of sepia-toned images of penny farthings and perhaps lion tamers with handlebar mustaches. It couldn't have been further from how I pictured the music I was making. 

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Kristina Murray, "Watchin' the World Pass Me By" Little Blue  (Normaltown, May 9)

We've known she'd make something of herself since her 2013 Unravelin' album. Finally signed to a big-ish label, Murray is more than ready for her proverbial close-up. With its tongue-in-cheek self-deprecation, this first single checks Elizabeth Cook boxes, and the accompanying video shows plenty of personality (as well as featuring fellow songwriter Sean Thompson in a recurring role). Murray calls it, a kissoff to the music business, the arbitrariness of success, and the sometimes strong desire to quit it all and move to the beach ...

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Bon Iver, "Everything Is Peaceful Love" SABLE, fABLE  (Jagjaguwar, Apr 11)

This first glimpse into the forthcoming expanded edition of Justin Vernon's October SABLE, EP yields about as straightforward a song as we're bound to get from Bon Iver. Set to 80s-flavored programmed beats, "Everything" delivers a soulful soprano vocal from Vernon, as well as a curiously homespun video: It gives me what I want for this album, all in one video. The idea that happiness and joy are the highest form and the true buoyancy of survival, and even taking yourself less seriously could heal the world. Small dogs with funny eyebrows don't hurt either. 

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Dead Gowns, "See People" It's Summer I Love You and I'm Surrounded By Snow  (Mtn Laurel, Feb 14)

Genevieve Beaudoin released a demo of this single back in 2020, a take that lacked much of what works on this new recording. The pedal steel, the baritone guitar, the impossibly longing vocal all weave a beautifully haunting spell, reinforced by a moodily lit video. Dead Gowns doesn't always sound like this, but when they do, it's unbeatable. 

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Them Coulee Boys, "As Long As You Let Me" No Fun In the Chrysalis  (Some Fun, Feb 28)

On the third single from their forthcoming album this Wisconsin band succeeds in reaching well beyond their lively string band comfort zone, even adding momentary tubular bells. Group choruses and piano played with abandon - it all sounds like a hoot, even with the classic hangdog lyrics: Now I bang my chest / Where you used to lay your head / There's an indentation left where it once lay / I try to fill lit with the band / Alcohol, and my right hand / But nothing fills the hole just like you can / So please just stay. 

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A ROUTES & BRANCHES GUiDE to FEEDiNG YOUR MONSTER (February 14, 2025)

A ROUTES & BRANCHES GUiDE to FEEDiNG YOUR MONSTER

good news about good noise

February 14, 2025

Scott Foley, purveyor of dust

Stereogum takes a deep dive into the new album by Frog, 1000 Variations On the Same Song. 

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This time of year our inbox is crowded with announcements of summer concerts and festivals that we will never attend. One of the shows we might consider if we were a concert people is the double Charm & Decadence bill of Drive-by Truckers and Deer Tick, as shared by Brooklyn Vegan. Pioneertown, California, here we come!

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A number of us have been eagerly awaiting an announcement from Kristina Murray about ... anything, really. Holler premieres a new video, and that long-awaited news that she's signed with a subsidiary of the New West label. 

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Of course, War & Treaty chose Valentines Day to release their new Plus One collection. NPR talks to Michael and Tanya Trotter about the inspiration behind some of the songs from their new LP. 

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The Heavy Heavy have held a place on the Americana Music charts since the September release of their One of a Kind record. Americana UK chats up Georgie Fuller and Will Turner about the early influences behind their music. 

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Jim White proves to be one of the most interesting interviews in our kind of music. Americana Highways tests that theory with their own talk with the eclectic songwriter whose Precious Bane project with Trey Blake received some priceless R&B attention last week. 

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We typically don't feature reviews from other blogs here, but Pop Matters offers a thorough look at Patterson Hood's Exploding Trees & Airplane Screams ahead of its February 21 street date. 

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We fell for Sweden's Sarah Klang upon hearing the advance singles from her Beautiful Woman album. Line of Best Fit gives us a bit more background with an interview. 

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Matt Pond (from Matt Pond PA), leads Flood track-by-track through his new Ballad Of the Natural Lines LP. 

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A Routes & Branches Guide To Feeding Your Monster is our single-minded new release calendar, updated obssessively. Zach Condon from Beirut has shared that his next album is the soundtrack of a Swedish circus. Grab your popcorn and set a place for A Study Of Losses (Pompeii, Apr 18). Since her last album, Esther Rose considered leaving the music business. Fortunately, that hasn't happened, since she'll be releasing Want on May 2 (New West). The parade forms to the right in celebration of Kristina Murray's announcement. The Nashville songwriter is planning a May 9 street date for Little Blue, her Normaltown debut. And as long as we're having a parade, we'll mention Ken Pomeroy's Rounder signing. She'll be putting Cruel Joke on virtual shelves come May 16. Finally, Minus 5 is back with more perfect pop-rock. Your favorite band's favorite band will release Oar On Penelope on May 30 (Yep Roc). 

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HORSEBATH - ANOTHER FAREWELL

ROUTES & BRANCHES

featuring the very best of americana, alt.country and roots music

February 11, 2025

Scott Foley, purveyor of dust

For their debut, Halifax's HORSEBATH delivers the kitchen sink. The members of the quartet (Keast Mutter, Daniel Connolly, Etienne Beausoleil, Dagen Mutter) jump from one instrument to another, with three vocalists and four songwriters. Another Farewell (Strolling Bones, Feb 7) is undeniably eclectic as a result, but more cohesive in sound and in message than such an approach might suggest. It's not wrong to place an alt.country label on the collection, which ranges from breezy GospelbeacH-style California country to TexMex and moments of early rock. 

Doug Sahm comes to mind on "Hard To Love", with bar band boogie piano and shout-along vocal harmonies. The opener also establishes one pervasive theme of Another Farewell - lovin' and leavin': It's a lonely world I've come to learn / When all that loves will surely burn / Heaven knows I've had to pay the price. HORSEBATH's ten songs portray the band touring across Canada's vast expanses, never settling long enough to establish a lasting relationship. With Chet Atkins-inspired guitar picking and a playful ragtime ramble, "Only In My Dreams" suggests such a fly-by-night approach might have its advantages: Darlin' oh don't you / Wake me up, I want to keep her / Prayin' to the lord I'm a heavy sleeper. The song shares a general throwback vibe with its companions, never so much surrendering as much as borrowing here an there from sounds gone by.

At the album's halfway point, Another Farewell takes a definite turn towards a more contemporary arrangement. The title track is a strummy acoustic number, a 70s country-rock cut that features forlorn harmonica and a rising chorus. "Long & Lonesome" pairs a lyrical bassline with layers of twang until a bluesy organ reroutes the song: When they steal your freedom's when your heart starts to fray. The loose and lively "Train To Babylon" warns This train ain't bound for glory. HORSEBATH's singers overlap their vocals and ride a propulsive rhythm into an extended instrumental jam. 

These moments of relative abandon carry a good amount of the record's appeal, allowing the band to showcase their strength as creative instrumentalists. "In the Shade" evolves from a stylized Lee Hazelwood vibe into a bit of a jazzy workout. With its instrumental guitar intro, "Never Be Another You" shares the spirit of the Sadies or Calexico. Another Farewell bids farewell with "Turn My Lover Loose", with Augie Meyers keys and unbottled energy. 

HORSEBATH picks through the past for inspiration, but they demonstrate real originality in gathering and delivering these pieces. In the end the success of the band's debut full-length is all their own. Even when we can't always pin the voice or the instrument to one specific name, Another Farewell introduces an outfit with personality and perspective, a sound we're curious to follow into future projects, across the Canadian plains and beyond. 

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ROUTES-cast February 9, 2025

ROUTES & BRANCHES

featuring the very best of americana, alt.country and roots music

February 9, 2025

Scott Foley, purveyor of dust

ROUTES-cast February 9, 2025

- Silverada, "Texas 42" single  (Prairie Rose, 25)  D

- Ken Pomeroy, "Stranger" Cruel Joke  (Rounder, May 16)  D

- Whitey Morgan & the 78s, "Somewhere Along the Way" single  (Morgan, 25)  D

- Miss Tess, "Tennessee Blues" Cher Reve  (Miss Tess, 25)

- Joe Ely, "Adios Sweet Dreams" Love and Freedom  (Rack 'Em, 25)

- Lola Kirke, "Raised By Wolves" Trailblazer  (One Riot, Mar 21)

- Sierra Hull, "Come Out Of My Blues (ft Tim O'Brien)" Tip Toe High Wire  (Hull, Mar 7)

- Charles Wesley Godwin, "It's the Little Things" Lonely Mountain EP  (Big Loud, Feb 28)  D

- Waxahatchee, "Mud" single  (Anti, 25)  D

- Horsebath, "Turn My Lover Loose" Another Farewell  (Strolling Bones, 25)

- Tobacco City, "Bougainvillea" Horses  (Scissor Tail, Mar 7)

- Scott Ballew, "Middle Aged Lazy" single  (Leisure Rodeo, 25)  D

- Mekons, "Fallen Leaves" Horror  (Fire, Apr 4)

- Valerie June, "Joy Joy" Owls Omens and Oracles  (Concord, Apr 11)  D

- Rev Peyton's Big Damn Band, "Looking For a Manger" Honeysuckle  (Family Owned, Feb 21)

- Caroline Spence, "Let Go" single  (Spence, 25)  D

- Nadia Reid, "Emmanuelle" Enter Now Brightness  (Chrysalis, 25)

- Kathleen Edwards, "Only Lie Worth Telling (ft Daniel Tashian)" Covers  (Dualtone, 25)

- Echolalia, "Little Bird" Echolalia  (Full Time Hobby, Feb 28)

^ Kassi Valazza, "Weight Of the Wheel" From Newman Street  (Fluff & Gravy, May 2)

- Bonnie Prince Billy, "New Water" Purple Bird  (No Quarter, 25)

- Sarah Klang, "Jackson Browne" Beautiful Woman  (Nettwerk, 25)

- Kora Feder, "In a Young Person's Body" Some Kind of Truth  (Feder, Apr 18)

- Lucius, "Gold Rush" Lucius  (Fantasy, May 2)  D

- Courtney Barnett, "Lotta Love" Heart Of Gold: Tribute To Neil Young Vol 1  (Killphonic, Apr 25)  D

- Esther Rose, "New Bad" Want  (New West, May 2)  D

- Ophelias, "Cumulonimbus" Spring Grove  (Get Better, Apr 4)  D

- Cold Specks, "Lingering Ghosts" Light For the Midnight  (Mute, Apr 9)  D

- Wilco, "Diamond Claw" Ghost Is Born (Expanded Edition)  (Nonesuch, 25)

- Jim White & Trey Blake, "Midnight Blue" Precious Bane  (Fluff & Gravy, 25)

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To enjoy any Spotify ROUTES-cast, just open Spotify and search for "routesandbranches" to access this most recent playlist, as well as many others from past months.  Or click here for a preview:

WHAT's SO GREAT ABOUT THiS WEEK?!! (February 8, 2025)

ROUTES & BRANCHES

featuring the very best of americana, alt.country and roots music

February 8, 2025

Scott Foley, purveyor dust

WHAT's SO GREAT ABOUT THiS WEEK?!!

Whitey Morgan & the 78s, "Somewhere Along the Way" single  (Morgan, Feb 7)

While we haven't seen a definite date for a forthcoming Whitey Morgan full-length, the Michigan frontman has begun sharing singles from his sessions with Shooter Jennings. Written by Cody Jinks and Eric Allen, "Somewhere" is a melodically rocking outlaw anthem, with guitars, pedal steel, and piano sparking like high summer fireworks. 

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Esther Rose, "New Bad" Want  (New West, May 2)

On her substack, the New Mexico songwriter identified her new single as Everclear in an arm wrestling match with the Strokes. Always a both/and artist as opposed to an either/or, her albums embrace roots as well as well as the swagger of rock. On "New Bad", a rush of guitar sweeps us into a sharp edged chorus: Underneath / Trapped inside / All my fear is desire / And I want to set it free. 

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Ken Pomeroy, "Stranger" Cruel Joke  (Rounder, May 16)

The wind keeps on hitting me like my mother used to. It's a breathtaking first line, bold and direct for a song that never pushes beyond an acoustic guitar and vocal. From Cherokee lineage, the Oklahoman is Rounder's most recent signing, an artist we've already heard covering Richard Thompson on the Twisters soundtrack, and alongside John Moreland on "Coyote". 

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Caroline Rose, "goddamn train" year of the slug  (Rose, 24)

A standout from the LA alternative folk artist's surprise album, "goddamn train" recalls both Johnny Cash and Ani DiFranco. With its psychobilly acoustic and rapidfire lyric, the song is in and out in under two minutes. To quote Rose: Sometimes it's nice to have a pearl before it's polished. 

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Waxahatchee, "Mud" single  (Anti, Feb 4)

Yet another post-Tigers Blood single from Katie Crutchfield and her illustrious touring band: MJ Lenderman, Spencer Tweedy, Brad and Phil Cook. The song arrives with the announcement that Waxahatchee will be joining the carnival at Willie Nelson's Outlaw Fest Tour come September.  I'm a fool in angel's clothing / I'm a glutton for being let down. 

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A ROUTES & BRANCHES GUiDE to FEEDiNG YOUR MONSTER (February 7, 2025)

A ROUTES & BRANCHES GUiDE to FEEDiNG YOUR MONSTER

good news about good noise

February 7, 2025

Scott Foley, purveyor of dust

This week Caroline Rose leaked their own album. Noting that Year of the Slug will not be available via streaming services, they recorded the sessions via Garageband onto their phone. 

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Big Thief are making an unreleased EP available to benefit those effected by California fires. Passional Relations may be purchased through the band's website. 

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Stereogum features an extended chat with Will Oldham about Purple Bird, his new Bonnie Prince Billy record. 

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There are so many avenues for contributing to the California fire relief effort, in addition to the Big Thief EP mentioned above. The Good Music series has made available an absolutely sprawling compilation via Bandcamp, featuring previous unreleased material from artists like Jason Isbell, Centro-Matic,  Neko Case and many others. The collection is just available today (Friday), so respond appropriately! See also If I Could Only Fly, an album featuring Jolie Holland, Daniel Romano, Little Mazarn and more. 

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Americana Highways catches up with BJ Barham about American Aquarium's current Standing Still tour. 

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The Black Keys haven't had great luck recently with their concert plans. The duo speak to Stereogum about that spotted record, as well as their newly declared tour. 

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In the wake of the release of her Forever album, Under the Radar speaks to Lilly Hiatt about endings. 

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NPR's Tiny Desk series is knockin' it out of the park these days as far as we're concerned. Joined by Alison de Groot and Tatiana Hargreaves, guitarist Yasmin Williams plays songs from October's Acadia, proving our theory that the appeal of solo acoustic guitar records increases when we're able to watch rather than just listen. 

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This week marks the tenth anniversary of the release of Father John Misty's I Love You Honeybear, a collection Josh Tillman called a concept album about me. Far Out discusses the songwriter's sometimes divisive lyrics, taking a deep dive into the record. 

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Several times a day, we add new stuff to A Routes & Branches Guide To Feeding Your Monster, our zealously updated new release calendar. Following a challenging eight year break from recording, Cold Specks has announced her return. Light For the Midnight is set for an April 9th release (Mute). Valerie June's next album is produced by M Ward. April 11th is the street date for Owls Omens and Oracles (Concord). Rhiannon Giddens and Justin Robinson are former bandmates in Carolina Chocolate Drops. The artists reunite for What Did the Blackbird Say To the Crow (Nonesuch, Apr 18). The always busy Lucius are readying their fourth studio project. The self-titled Lucius will arrive via Fantasy on May 2. Finally, we've been keeping our eyes peeled for months for Ken Pomeroy's announcement of her first Rounder record. This week she announced Cruel Joke, due on May 16. 

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