FiRST QUARTER of 2021

ROUTES & BRANCHES

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

April 9, 2021

Scott Foley, purveyor of dust

Before we trip too far into the month of April, let's declare an end to the First Quarter of the year. I can find a good record or five any week of the year, but I'll be honest here. These last three months have me a bit concerned. My son asked me what my favorite record of the year is so far, and I stumbled around saying words without committing to a real answer. In summary: There's been some pretty good stuff, but not a lot fit for crowning at this point. Nevertheless, in order of appearance:  

WHAT's SO GREAT ABOUT THE FiRST QUARTER of 2021?!!

- Buck Meek, Two Saviors  (Keeled Scales, Jan 15)

- Lucero, When You Found Me  (Liberty & Lament, Jan 29)

- Pony Bradshaw, Calico Jim  (Black Mt, Jan 29)

- Weather Station, Ignorance  (Fat Possum, Feb 5)

- Julien Baker, Little Oblivions  (Matador, Feb 26)

- Mando Saenz, All My Shame  (Carnival, Feb 26)

- Charles Ellsworth, Honeysuckle Summer  (Burro Borracho, Mar 5)

- Israel Nash, Topaz  (Desert Folklore, Mar 12)

- Janet Simpson, Safe Distance  (Cornelius Chapel, Mar 19)

- Morgan Wade, Reckless  (Ladylike, Mar 19)

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Good News is: Every single damn day we're adding forthcoming releases to A Routes & Branches Guide To Feeding Your Monster. Theoretically, any one of these could be a game changer. Just a couple days ago, f'rinstance, the Sweet Relief Foundation issued a fundraiser record, Good Lyre: Songs of John Welsey Harding, featuring contributions from Bob Pernice, Rosanne Cash, Gary Louris and more. Iron & Wine's Sam Beam was making whispery sounds even before the notable release of 2002's Creek Drank the Cradle. You can hear some of that early early stuff on Archive Series Vol No 5: Tallahassee, scheduled on Sub Pop for a May 7 release. Now that he's abandoned his dream to replace Garrison Keillor, Chris Thile is returning to music. Make room for Laysongs on or prior to Jun 4 (Nonesuch). It would seem the elusive Willy Mason only really makes music when he's good and ready. Cooking Vinyl will unleash the long-awaited Already Dead on August 6. Also looking forward to the next full-length from the talented Anderson East. That will reach us courtesy of Dave Cobb's Low Country label on August 20.