CHRiSTMAS CHRiSTMAS 2024

ROUTES & BRANCHES

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

December 20, 2024

Scott Foley, purveyor of sprinkles

CHRiSTMAS,

CHRiSTMAS

2024

Why is it so hard to write a good Christmas song? Ask songwriters to generate a quality number about driving, or about hooking up and chances are good you'll find a couple ringers. But year after year the holiday season gifts us with dozens of awful-to-adequate Christmas singles. We can count on one hand the genuinely memorable seasonable songs from the past decade. Yet every December we hold out hope. 

We don't apologize for our yearly Christmas ROUTES-cast, where we assemble precisely thirty (30) brand new seasonal recordings to soundtrack your holidays. We never promise they'll be fantastic. But these are pretty good. On the long-playing side, Milk Carton Kids released a quiet collection of tasteful traditionals, sweet acoustic playing and angelic harmonies. Dean & Britta from Luna shared an unexpectedly listenable A Peace Of Us, a collection that might be enjoyed a bit beyond the holiday season. 

2024's crop of singles includes a handful of strong new originals, including a likeably quirky number from Frog. A possibly drunk JD Clayton pressed record and managed a pretty good one. Ana Egge wraps her original up real nice, and Blackberry Smoke fall somewhere between "Christmas In Prison" and "Merry Christmas From the Fam-oh-lee" for their slice of holiday life. Damnwells and Hackensaw Boys lean into the sentiment for a pair of the strongest new tunes. And Orville Peck wishes us a happy new year (my guy) with a very sweet ballad. Rival Sons' Jay Buchanan pairs with the Blind Boys Of Alabama for our favorite take on a standard, "I Heard the Bells". So yeah: Some good stuff this year. 

Perhaps the perennial challenge in writing a good holiday tune is the requisite balance of reverence and joy, the jingle bells and the silent night. It's also the reason Christmas can seem so oppressive to some, for whom the pressure to feel specific emotions during a specific time simply seems unfair. We get it. For you, we offer 52 other weekly ROUTES-casts to enjoy, and we demand nothing but an open ear (even that's optional). No tinsel (unless we've left some on the floor), and no jolly (unless we've left some on the floor). Simply the very best of americana, alt.country and roots music. 

For all who have made it this far, for anyone who tries to check out as many of our posts as possible, for fellow bloggers who include R&B on their blogroll, and for you who press play on ROUTES-cast after ROUTES-cast, recognizing that we do the best we can with thirty (30) songs week-in and -out, we wish you a Merry Christmas. And yes, a simultaneous Happy Hanukkah too! 

- Milk Carton Kids, "What Child Is This" Christmas In a Minor Key  (Far Cry, 24)

- Fantastic Cat, "Holiday Road" single  (Missing Piece, 24)

- Caitlyn Smith & Dave Barnes, "What Christmas Can Do" single  (Smith, 24)

- Ana Egge, "Silver Bells Ring" single  (StorySound, 24)

- William Prince, "Sound Of Christmas" single  (Six Shooter, 24)

- Jaimee Harris & Jared Tyler, "Light Of the Stable" single  (Folk N' Roll, 24)

- Adam Chaffins, "Layaway Momma" single  (Spirit Nashville, 24)

- David Nail, "I'll Be Home For Christmas" A Campfire Christmas EP  (One Five Sound, 24)

- Hackensaw Boys, "The Child I Once Was" single  (Suns Work, 24)

- JD Clayton, "Your Favorite Christmas Song" single  (Rounder, 24)

- Sierra Hull, "First Snowfall" single  (Hull, 24)

- Blackberry Smoke, "Come Go With Us" single  (3 Legged, 24)

- Cracker, "Merry Christmas Emily" Alternative History: Cracker Retrospective  (Cooking Vinyl, 24)

- Dawes, "Christmas Tree In the Window" single  (Dead Ringers, 24)

- Devotchka, "Blue Christmas" single  (Cicero, 24)

- Josiah and the Bonnevilles, "Wintering - Country Version" single  (Josiah, 24)

- Louisa Stancioff, "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" single  (Yep Roc, 24)

- Dean & Britta, "Snow Is Falling In Manhattan" A Peace Of Us  (Carpark, 24)

- Lucy Rose, "Those Red Lights" single  (Communion, 24)

- Bartees Strange, "Xmas" single  (4AD, 24)

- Pinkerton Raid, "Christmastime Is Here" Jagged Vacance: Winter Songs By Other People EP  (Pinkerton, 24)

- Frog, "Did Santa Come" single  (tapewormies, 24)

- Damnwells, "Xmas Eve" single  (Poor Man, 24)

- Molly Burch, "It's Christmas Time (Again)" single  (Burch, 24)

- Madi Diaz, "Kid On Christmas" single  (Anti, 24)

- King Hannah, "Blue Christmas" single  (City Slang, 24)

- Valerie June, "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus" Gifts Presents and Treats EP  (June Tunes, 24)

- Nicole Atkins, "Sweetest Season (ft Teddy Morgan)" single  (HA Krue, 24)

- Blind Boys Of Alabama w/Jay Buchanan, "I Heard the Bells On Christmas Day" single  (Sacred Tongue, 24)

- Orville Peck, "Happy Trails" single  (Warner, 24)

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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:

A ROUTES & BRANCHES GUiDE to FEEDiNG YOUR MONSTER (December 19, 2024)

A ROUTES & BRANCHES GUiDE to FEEDiNG YOUR MONSTER

good news about good noise

December 19, 2024

Scott Foley, purveyor of dust 

For this week's Episode of A Routes & Branches Guide To Feeding Your Monster, we had begun collecting more year-end favorites lists from bloggers naughty 'n nice. But then we saw all these good stories coming across our feed, and made an executive decision to go with those instead of the lists. In theory, there's only so many lists one can stare at before everything starts looking the same. Some would say the same about holiday music lists, we hear. 

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Grateful Web tells of a very special Violent Femmes performance in recognition of the 40th anniversary of their iconic debut. While it would've been okay without them, the Wisconsin sons played with the Milwaukee Symphony. The session is apparently scheduled to air on your local PBS channel. 

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CBS42 in Alabama reports on a rare and unannounced Alabama Shakes reunion, the band's first since 2017. There are links in the article to video. 

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Saving Country Music relates some news from Dale Watson that he will not be presenting his Countrypolitan Awards in 2025. Especially over the last couple years, these ceremonies have been the site for some really good live performance from largely niche artists. 

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Americana UK bids us a Merry Holidays, chatting with the Milk Carton Kids about their new Christmas In a Minor Key LP. Pull up an eggnog and enjoy. 

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The angels at Raven Sings the Blues have compiled a playlist of their favorite songs of the year. These are refreshingly different than almost everyone else's favorite songs of the year. Give a listen to their  Chasin' the Wind playlist.

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Okay, we'll include a couple stories about year-end lists. No Depression presents their Year-End Critics Poll, highlighting the Favorite Roots Albums Of 2024. 

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Only on account of we're especially fond of the One Chord To Another blog, let's visit to check out their Favorite Songs Of 2024. 

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Now that we're on a roll, don't stop us while we direct you to Brooklyn Vegan's Top 50 Albums Of 2024.

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We'll put the whole thing to rest with Tom Osborne's Tom's Tops 2024 over at Twangville. 

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LOOKBACK MACHiNE: BLOODSHOT RECORDS FiRST DECADE

ROUTES & BRANCHES

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

December 18, 2024

Scott Foley, purveyor of dust

The history of Bloodshot Records is invariably tied to alt.country. Prior to shuttering its doors in 2021, the Chicago label had been largely responsible for introducing artists like Old 97s, Ryan Adams, Neko Case and others to a wide audience. Especially during their first decade (roughly from 1994-2004), Bloodshot artists were challenging our notions of roots music, blending it with punk while staying admirably anchored with one boot in tradition. Pushing against our own Lookback rules, several of the songs below are covers of stuff originally by the Louvin Brothers, Johnny Paycheck, or Les Paul, but that link to the past was essential to Bloodshot's identity, what they termed insurgent country. There was good music to come after that initial volley, and the label would reform from the ashes following the impropriety of one of the founders' partners. But during those early years nothing sounded like Bloodshot Records. Nothing seemed as dangerous, as edgy, or as insurgent. And while there remain vestiges of these foundational artists, very little really hits like them today. 

BLOODSHOT RECORDS FiRST DECADE: thirty favorites

- Volebeats, "One I Love" Hell-Bent: Insurgent Country Vol 2  (Feb 95)

- Old 97s, "Big Brown Eyes" Wreck Your Life  (Sep 95)

- Waco Brothers, "See Willy Fly By" Cowboy In Flames  (Jan 97)

- The Blacks, "Tortured Holiday" Dolly Horrorshow  (Sep 98)

- Devil In a Woodpile, "Keep On Drinkin'" Devil In a Woodpile  (Nov 98)

- Andre Williams & the Sadies, "I Understand (Do You)" Red Dirt  (May 99)

- John Doe w/Old 97s, "Cryin' But My Tears Are Far Away" Poor Little Knitter On the Road: Tribute To the Knitters  (Sep 99)

- Robbie Fulks, "Parallel Bars" Very Best Of Robbie Fulks  (Jan 00)

- Nora O'Connor, "Looks Like I'm Up Shit Creek Again" Down To the Promised Land: 5 Years Of Bloodshot Records  (Jun 00)

- Jon Langford & Sally Timms, "Horses" Songs Of False Hope & High Values  (Jul 00)

- Ryan Adams, "To Be Young (Is To Be Sad Is To Be High)" Heartbreaker  (Sep 00)

- Rex Hobart & Misery Boys, "I'm Not Drunk Enough" The Spectacular Sadness Of ...  (Sep 00)

- The Sadies, "Loved On Look" Tremendous Efforts  (Mar 01)

- Alejandro Escovedo, "Castanets" A Man Under the Influence  (Apr 01)

- Kelly Hogan, "No Bobby Don't" Because It Feel Good  (Oct 01)

- Neko Case, "I Wish I Was the Moon" Blacklisted  (Aug 02)

- Jon Rauhouse, "World Is Waiting For a Sunrise (ft Neko Case)" Steel Guitar Air Show  (Sep 02)

- Pine Valley Cosmonauts, "Gallows Pole (ft Tim Rutili)" Executioner's Last Songs Vol 2 & 3  (Jan 03)

- Freakwater, "When I Stop Dreaming" Slaughter Rule Soundtrack  (Mar 03)

- Legendary Shack Shakers, "Blood On the Bluegrass" Cockadoodledon't  (Apr 03)

- Wayne Hancock, "Thunderstorms & Neon Signs" Swing Time  (Aug 03)

- Trailer Bride, "Hope Is a Thing With Feathers" Hope Is a Thing With Feathers  (Sep 03)

- Paul Burch, "Lovesick Blues Boy" Fool For Love  (Oct 03)

- Graham Parker, "Cruel Lips" Your Country  (Mar 04)

- Jon Langford, "Last Fair Deal Gone Down" All the Fame Of Lofty Deeds  (Apr 04)

- Bobby Bare Jr, "Valentine" From the End Of Your Leash  (Jun 04)

- Meat Purveyors, "It Won't Be Long (and I'll Be Hating You)" Pain By Numbers  (Jul 04)

- Split Lip Rayfield, "Just Like a Gillian Welch Song" Should've Seen It Coming  (Sep 04)

- Bottle Rockets, "Let's Stop Kicking Our Heart Around (ft Sheri Hurst)" Hard Headed Woman: Tribute To Wanda Jackson  (Oct 04)

- Scott H Biram, "Blood Sweat & Murder" For a Decade Of Sin: 11 Years Of Bloodshot Records  (Oct 05)

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BEN CHAPMAN - DOWNBEAT

ROUTES & BRANCHES

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

December 17, 2024

Scott Foley, purveyor of dust

Simplicity isn't easy. For a chef, a painter, or a writer, clutter can be a distraction. Stripping away what's unnecessary or superfluous leaves the artist with only the essential. The same can be true of a songwriter, striking the perfect balance between the elements of a song. 

Nashville songwriter Ben Chapman is flirting with simplicity on just his third LP.  Produced by Anderson East, Downbeat proposes a seamless country-soul project, eloquently understated in its execution. Originally from Lafayette, Georgia, Chapman earned his way into the Music City's songwriting circles, placing his work with acts like Flatland Cavalry and Muscadine Bloodline in addition to releasing a pair of his own records. Many of the right pieces can be heard on 2022's Make the Night Better, and moreso on last year's Amber Sounds Vol 1. Chapman and East have sifted and assembled them for one of the year's memorable breakthroughs.

In the hands of Chapman and East, simplicity isn't about lack or absence. The mix for "American Sweetheart" is full. The song, written with Sean McConnell and Meg McRee wouldn't sound out of place on today's mainstream country-pop radio. Shaun Richardson's clean pedal steel lines are as trad as Darren Dodd's sturdy drums are contemporary, with McRee's sweetly unobtrusive backing vocal adding depth and dimension to Chapman's lead. But Downbeat isn't aiming for commercial radio spins. 

On a Spotify playlist for his debut, Ben Chapman celebrated those who inspired his own artistry: Guy Clark, Bobby Charles, Donnie Fritts, Tony Joe White. "Almost Home" strikes its country-funk target, with Greg Garner's bluesy electric slide and Anderson East's keys: Break out the guitar, hope it's in tune / Life ain't nothin' but the twelve-bar blues / Halfway broke, payin' my dues. The title track, written with Mando Saenz, evokes Tony Joe White's swampy guitar groove, with lyrics that might serve as Chapman's modus operandi: I can't speed it up and I can't play too slow / Gotta find the right groove with just enough soul. 

With smart lyrics that don't play games and sounds that were recorded largely live, Downbeat might bring to mind Brent Cobb's own 2016 breakthrough, Shine On Rainy Day, another masterwork of simplicity (produced by Brent's cousin Dave). Like Shine On, Chapman's songs are more likely to simmer than to bluster. Written with frequent collaborator Jon Decious, "Star Of Monterey" is a soulful Memphis number: Got Jesus on her necklace / Smokes cigarettes for breakfast / Damn it, why'd he make her that way. With a voice that sometimes brings to mind Leon Russell, "Baby Don't Cry It's Saturday Night" is among the record's most likeable cuts. With weepy wah-wah guitar and more harmony from Meg McRee (Chapman's frequent cowriter and girlfriend), the song seems effortlessly laid-back: There's a big full moon like a crystal ball / And it's sayin' there's a whole world outside of your four walls. 

With its big band Southern rock, "If I Was You" lands like Anderson East's own music, including one of Chapman's most ambitious deliveries as well as a rare, real-live guitar solo. "Finish What You Started" is built around a chewy guitar hook, while "Don't You Dare" boasts a deep bass bounce from Greg Garner. While East sometimes encourages a retro approach to arrangement and production, he avoids backdating Chapman's songs a'la Dan Auerbach, or forcing an overabundance of consistency like Dave Cobb. 

The Downbeat  sessions are full and filling, but they never flirt with bombast. Chapman and McRee duet on Dylan's "Tonight I'll Be Staying Here With You", but sidestep the common mistake of trying to out-Dylan the original. The beautiful simplicity is in the way all these pieces dovetail so tastefully, how the lyrics never overreach, never take themselves too seriously. The playing is full, but leaves room for the sessions to breathe. On his third record, Ben Chapman is confidently, simply himself. 

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ROUTES-cast December 15, 2024

ROUTES & BRANCHES

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

December 15, 2024

Scott Foley, purveyor of dust

ROUTES-cast December 15, 2024

- John Calvin Abney, "Truckee River Blues" Shortwaving EP  (JCA, 24)

- Caitlin Canty, "Odds Of Getting Even (live)" Come By the Highway Home EP  (Canty, 24)  D

- Courtney Patton, "Carry You With Me" Carry You With Me  (Patton, Jan 24)  

- Sam Amidon, "Friends and Neighbors" Salt River  (River Lea, Jan 24)

- Ben Nichols & Rick Steff, "In Lonesome Times (Unplugged)" Lucero Unplugged  (Liberty & Lament, Jan 24)

- Ryan Bingham, "Song For the Stone" single  (Bingham, 24)  D

- 49 Winchester, "Miles To Go" single  (New West, 24)  D

- Cody Jinks, "If You've Got the Money" Sings Lefty Frizzell  (Late August, 24)

- Jim White, "Long Road Home (ft Trey Blake)" Precious Bane  (Fluff & Gravy, Jan 31)  D

- Evan Honer, "annabelle" annabelle ep  (Cloverdale, 24)

- Bones Of JR Jones & Malena Cadiz, "Killing the Blues" single  (Tone Tree, 24)  D

^ Ben Chapman, "Almost Home" Downbeat  (Hippie Shack, 24)  

- JR Carroll, "Too Late To Change It Now" Dark Cloud  (JRC, 24)

- Lucinda Williams, "Yer Blues" Sings the Beatles From Abbey Road  (Hwy 20, 24)

- Zack Keim, "Battery Lane" Battery Lane  (Keim, Feb 7)

- Nick Gusman & the Coyotes, "Slow Down Katie" Lifting Heavy Things  (Gusman, 24)

- Matt Pond PA, "Click Click Click (ft Anya Marina)" Ballad Of the Natural Lines  (Sonder House, Jan 7)

- Brent Amaker & the Rodeo, "You're No Good" Vaquero  (RodeoCorp, Jan 25)  D

- Thomas Dollbaum, "Fate Of Flight (ft Kate Teague)" single  (Dollbaum, 24)

- Cave Flowers, "Good Love" Western Spectre  (Hard Bark, Jan 17)  D

- Loose Koozies, "I Won't Be Leaving Here (Unless It's With You)" Passing Through You  (Tall Texan, 24)

- Penny & Sparrow, "Arm Candy (ft Annika Bennett)" Lefty  (I Love You, Jan 31)

- Julien Baker & Torres, "Sugar In the Tank" single  (Matador, 24)  D

- Will Stratton, "I Found You" Points Of Origin  (Bella Union, Mar 7)  D

- Ben Kweller, "Optimystic" Cover the Mirrors  (Noise, May 30)  D

- Luther Russell, "Right Way" Happiness For Beginners  (Curation, Jan 17)

- Will Stewart, "Mary Won't You Call My Name" 90 Acre Farm EP  (Stewart, 24)

- Benjamin Booker, "Show and Tell" Lower  (Fire Next Time, Jan 24)

- Twisted Teens, "Tic Tac Toe" Twisted Teens  (CPNPC, 24)

- Pigeon Pit, "Keys To the City" Crazy Arms  (Ernest Jenning, Jan 17)  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:

FAVORiTE SONGS of 2024

ROUTES & BRANCHES

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

December 13, 2024

Scott Foley, purveyor of dust

Songs are the building blocks of all we do here at R&B. Years ago, we declared the same about albums. But we really mean songs. It's been a gradual evolution over the past couple years, but now it's for reals. 

For this Episode of our year-end evaluation, we're celebrating the year in songs, calling attention to our thirty (30) favorites from the past twelve months. These are listed in order of favorites, from our very favorite on down, each striking a valued chord in the symphony that has been our 2024. This year, the process of narrowing our initial glob of about 130 to a much more aerodynamic thirty did not prove as soul-wringing as in past years. The proverbial cream rose to the top with little drama, and the resulting candidates demanded no last-minute massaging.

About half the albums represented below will likely appear on our year-end favorite albums list in two weeks. The rest are standout singles, or exceptional bits from a larger collection. In the end, we're at peace with our 2024 lineup (for now). It's eclectic, engaging, and it aptly represents the reach and range of what we do here at R&B HQ week-in and week-out. Like each of our Spotify ROUTES-casts, it's available for streaming or for staring on our dedicated page. We like to think you'll enjoy it while gathered at the hearth with family, friends, and needy passers-by. 

WHAT's SO GREAT ABOUT 2024: 

FAVORiTE SONGS

^ Adeem the Artist, "Rotations" Anniversary  (Four Quarters, May 3)

- Wussy, "Great Divide" Cincinnati Ohio  (Wussymusic, Nov 15)

- Waxahatchee, "Right Back To It (ft MJ Lenderman)" Tigers Blood  (Anti, Mar 22)

- Why Bonnie, "Rhyme Or Reason" Wish On the Bone  (Fire Talk, Aug 30)

- Sean Barna, "Wallflower (ft Mirah)" Internal Trembling EP  (Kill Rock Stars, Nov 22)

- Leslie Stevens, "Blue Roses" Leslie Stevens  (Leslie Stevens, Feb 23)

- Adrianne Lenker, "Sadness As a Gift" Bright Future  (4AD, Mar 22)

- Anna Tivel, "Disposable Camera" Living Thing  (Fluff and Gravy, May 31)

- Sophie Gault, "Lately (ft Gabe Lee)" Baltic Street Hotel  (Strong Place, Sep 20)

- Hurray For the Riff Raff, "Hawkmoon" Past Is Still Alive  (Nonesuch, Feb 23)

- Willi Carlisle, "Higher Lonesome" Critterland  (Signature Sounds, Jan 26)

- Sierra Ferrell, "American Dreaming" Trail Of Flowers  (Rounder, Mar 22)

- Bonny Light Horseman, "When I Was Younger" Keep Me On Your Mind/See You Free  (Jagjaguwar, Jun 7)

- Scott Ballew, "Suicide Squeeze" Rio Bravo  (La Honda, Mar 29)

- Julianna Riolino, "Against the Grain" single  (Riolino, Sep 13)

- Johnny Blue Skies, "Jupiter's Faerie" Passage du Desir  (High Top Mt, Jul 12)

- Fantastic Negrito, "I Hope Somebody's Loving You" Son Of a Broken Man  (Storefront, Oct 18)

- Leon Bridges, "Laredo" Leon  (Columbia, Oct 4)

- Pernice Brothers, "Who Will You Believe" Who Will You Believe  (New West, Apr 5)

- Kyle Kimbrell, "Shape I'm In" Easy Truths  (Cornelius Chapel, Apr 5)

- Hanging Stars, "Sweet Light" On a Golden Shore  (Loose, Mar 8)

- John Moreland, "Blue Dream Carolina" Visitor  (Old Omens, Apr 5)

- Yola, "Future Enemies" single  (S-Curve, Sep 19)

- Flatland Cavalry, "Three Car Garage" Flatland Forever  (Interscope, Nov 8)

- Morgan Wade, "Time To Love, Time To Kill" Obsessed  (Ladylike, Aug 16)

- Gillian Welch & David Rawlings, "Hashtag" Woodland  (Acony, Aug 23)

- Iron & Wine, "All In Good Time (ft Fiona Apple)" Light Verse  (Sub Pop, Apr 26)

- Cassandra Lewis, "I Would" Lost In a Dream  (Low Country Sound, Jul 12)

- Sun June, "41 Dollars" single  (Run For Cover, Nov 13)

- Justin Wells, "Counting Days" single  (August, Nov 20)

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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:

A ROUTES & BRANCHES GUiDE to FEEDiNG YOUR MONSTER (December 12, 2024)

ROUTES & BRANCHES 

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

December 12, 2024

Scott Foley, purveyor of dust

Fri Dec 13: Favorite Songs Of the Year

Sun Dec 15: ROUTES-cast

Tue Dec 17: review

Wed Dec 18: Lookback Machine

Thu Dec 19: R&B Guide To Feeding Your Monster

Fri Dec 20: R&B Holiday ROUTES-cast

Fri Dec 27: Favorite Albums Of the Year

Sun Dec 29: ROUTES-cast

Tue Dec 31: review

Fri Jan 3: Quarter Century List 

Those are the plans between now and the year's end, subject to change on a whim. There's some vast and barren territory there where we'll likely publish something or other, but if you're spending your holidays refreshing this page you likely have more problems than we can solve. 

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For our part, we're keeping an eye on some of our own favorite blogs as they share their year-end favorites. If you've made it this far, you're likely the sort of person who cares about this sort of thing, god bless you. And bless these bloggers who put all the work into their humble online abode, bringing new music to our attention. We encourage you as always to support them by visiting their pages regularly. And as always, email us at routesandbranches@gmail.com should you have any questions, answers, or koans. 

One Chord To Another began his blog more than twenty years ago as an appreciation for Finnish pop. While his blog has evolved to include much (much) more, you can still find his favorite Finnish music from week to week. For our purposes, you can begin by checking out OCTA's 100 Favorite Albums Of 2024.

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Sean at Said the Gramophone hasn't published regularly for some time, but he's returned momentarily to share his Best Songs Of 2024. 

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Like many of these blogs, Line Of Best Fit vastly overflows the messy little roots music box, which we appreciate and support. Show your appreciation by staring at their Albums Of the Year. 

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We love visiting Raven Sings the Blues for Andy's deep and eclectic knowledge of new stuff. Obscurity be damned, enjoy his recently published Favorite Albums Of 2024. 

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Paste loves everything, and proves it with their 100 Best Songs Of 2024. 

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Aside from our own, Consequence Of Sound boasts one of the best release calendars known to internetizens. Plus, they're so much better than those slackers at Paste, offering their own 200 Best Songs Of 2024.  

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Rosy Overdrive gets it. There's probably no site where we discover more new stuff, and few if any blogs who write as lovingly about it all. Find your next favorite LPs on their  Top Albums Of 2024 rundown. 

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Chris at Post To Wire will keep you impressively in the loop for Australian americana. Of course he has an aussie-focused list, you can also see his more encompassing Favourite Albums Of 2024 (spelled with a "U", so you know he's not from here). 

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Stereogum comes to our kind of music by way of their kind of music. It's always interesting to see an outsider's perspective. That said, few if any sites are better informed or more entertaining. Here's their economical assessment of the 10 Best Country Albums Of 2024. 

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Bandcamp will provide you with as many year-end lists as almost anyone, including their favorite metal, experimental, field recordings and more. All of it is available for purchase right there. Let's start with a humble list of their Best Country Music Of 2024. 

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Let's close this out with a couple things we've added recently to A Routes & Branches Guide To Feeding Your Monster, our own routinely updated calendar of new and forthcoming stuff. Damien Jurado serves as producer for Massy Ferguson's next full-length. You Can't Tell Me I'm Not What I Used To Be (best title of 2025 (so far)) is set for a February 4 appearance (North and Left). One of the hottest artists over the past couple years in our kind of music, War & Treaty are preparing a new collection. Plus One will get lots of mainstream attention when it is released on February 14 (Mercury Nashville). From Nashville by way of Missoula, TopHouse arrives with a bit of a buzz as well. The quartet's Practice EP arrives as well on Valentines Day. Way long ago we announced a new session from Reverend Peyton's Big Damn Band. Turns out Honeysuckle was pushed way back, now scheduled for a February 21 street date (Family Owned). Finally, we've been pleasantly pleased with Lucette's sporadic projects. Her first proper release since 2019, Nice Girl From the Suburbs, is presented by Prairie Blue on March 21. 

    

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