Paul Byrne Archive
EELS – “End Times”
Record Label: Vagrant Records
Genre: Rock
Buy On Amazon.com
Rejoice Eels fans! Following their longest ever break between 2005’s “Blinking Lights…” double album and 2009’s excellent “Hombre Lobo” comes the shortest gap between releases. Eels brand new album “End Times” comes a mere 6 months after the aforementioned “Hombre Lobo”. If it made you sad to here E and co. so happy on Hombre Lobo (a HAPPY Eels?…whatevers next?) then you’ll be over the moon to hear that Mark Oliver Everett(E) and co. are pretty much back to their bleak best on End Times.
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Hope Sandoval & The Warm Inventions – “Through The Devil Softly”
Record Label: Nettwerk Records
Band Link: www.hopesandoval.com
Buy on Amazon.com
Hope Sandoval likes to take her time. It has been 8 full years since we have heard any new music from her (not counting collaborations with other artists: Air, Chemical Brothers, Vetiver, Death In Vegas). It has been 6 years since she has performed live, so its obviously good news to fans of hers that not only is she back but she has picked up right where she left off. Its almost like 8 years haven’t passed, longtime fans (like myself!) know exactly what to expect: slow, haunting melancholia delivered in THAT voice and at times in a whisper.
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Woodstock 40th Anniversary Celebration Kick-Off
Last Friday morning, the 40th Anniversary celebrations of the Woodstock festival kicked off at the Bethel Woods Center For The Arts on the very site where the festival took place 40 years ago to the day. Richie Havens, the legendary folk musician, who opened the festival in 1969 fittingly, opened the celebrations on this glorious morning in Bethel in 2009 in front of an audience of some 200 invited guests and media.
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The Mighty Boosh: The Complete Season 1
Starring: Julian Barratt, Noel Fielding
Directed By: Paul King
Studio: Warner Bros/BBC
Buy on Amazon.com
I have heard many different things (good and bad) regarding the cult British TV show The Mighty Boosh. What started out as a radio skit has developed over the years into a highly successful TV show across the pond. The boys from “The Boosh” also performed a live sold out tour across Ireland and the U.K.
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Steve Earle – “Townes”
Record Label: New West Records
Genre: Country
Buy on Amazon.com
First off, it should be noted that Steve Earle is THE man. Back when he was, shall we say……wet behind the ears at the tender age of seventeen he was taken in under the drunken wing of a Texan singer/songwriter by the name of Townes Van Zandt, after the latter heard Steve cover one of his songs after being heckled by Townes. Steve once said that Townes was “A real good teacher and a real bad role model.” Steve also said “Townes Van Zandt is the best songwriter in the whole world, and I’ll stand on Bob Dylan’s coffee table in my cowboy boots and say that” and its with that in mind that brings us Steve Earle’s new album, a tribute to his friend and mentor the late, great Townes Van Zandt – “Townes.”
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Yusuf (Cat Stevens) – “Roadsinger”
Record Label: Universal
Genre: Folk
Artist Link: http://www.yusufislam.org.uk
Buy on Amazon.com
Although Yusuf Islam had previously recorded several Muslim albums, including the children one “A is for Allah,” he returned to the pop/folk music that he originally became known across the globe for in 2006 with “An Other Cup.” It was a full 28 year break from the pop/folk music world that he turned his back on, as Cat Stevens while still very much at the top of his game. And now with the 2009 release of his 2nd “mainstream” album as Yusuf we discover that’s 2006’s “An Other Cup” was no fluke. The opening track “Welcome Home” picks up right where “Green Fields,Golden Sands” left off, and doesn’t let up with the prime folkiness (for Folks sake!) This is clearly the Cat Stevens of old, sounding pretty much like he did in 1975.
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Neil Young – “Fork In The Road”
Record Label: Reprise Records
Genre: Rock
Band Link: www.neilyoung.com
Buy on Amazon.com
Any Neil Young release should be greeted with open arms and “Fork In The Road” is no exception. Yes, it is somewhat of a “concept” album. Any fan of Neil Young’s will know of his real love of automobiles, you just have to visit www.neilyoung.com to get an idea! So its not that much of a surprise that this release has come along. Songs devoted to cars, being on the road, going places – you get the idea.
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The Flatlanders – “Hills And Valleys”
Record Label: New West Records
Genre: Country/Folk
Band Link: link
Quietly released on the last day of March, 2009 is the brand spanking new album from Texan Alt-Country giants The Flatlanders. The Flatlanders, that is for those of you who never took note (Shame on you!) are Jimmie Dale Gimore, Joe Ely and Butch Hancock. “Hills And Valleys” is their first album in 5 years, and amazingly only their 4th in 30 years.
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Justin Townes Earle – “Midnight at the Movies”
Record Label: Bloodshot Records
Genre: Country/Folk
Band Link: link
Buy On Amazon.com
Is it possible that THE album of 2009 not only surfaces this early into the year but is one that clocks in at just 32 minutes long? Listening to Justin Townes Earles sophomore release, “Midnight At The Movies” I’m led to think so.
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