Ryan Adams

I've been listening to Love is Hell pt. 1 & 2 lately. They're no Heartbreaker but there are still really nice moments. I'm always sort of shocked at how much of these have a kind of Morrissey/Smiths influence.

David Childers and the Avett Brothers

Two of my North Carolina favorites: David Childers and The Avett Brothers.

Rumor has it The Avett Brothers, from Concord NC used to have a hard rock band and occasionally did "back porch" concerts where they picked bluegrass. The bluegrass shows ended up being more popular so they just ran with it.

David Childers is a lawyer outside of Charlotte who wins local songwriting awards year after year and truly makes you believe he's seen it all.

His latest project appears to be the Over Mountain Men

Operation Appreciate Wilco, part I

I have a bunch of friends that love Wilco. I've always thought they were ok but never really spent much time on them. I'm embarking on a journey this year to try and appreciate them the way my friends do.

This is a fine beginning:

Allo Darlin

One of my favorite tracks from 3 years ago, The Polaroid Song from Allo Darlin

They're most recent single has a B side called Wu Tang Clan, how cool is that?

You can pick up these and other wonders at their bandcamp page.

The Tallest Man on Earth

I'm listening to this guy again today. This is a fine, fine Dylan cover:

He also had a nice EP that came out in 2010 featuring this song.

The Rosebuds

I'd forgotten all about this song - from what I think is by far my favorite Rosebuds album, Make Out:

The whole album is worth a listen. Lots of good mix fodder on there - Back To Boston, Boys Who Love Girls and Kicks in the Schoolyard have all made it onto mixes of mine over the years.

Rilo Kiley & Pinback

Kickin it 2004 style this week. Rilo Kiley had arguably their biggest moment in the sun with the album More Adventurous and Pinback reached what most fans consider the pinnacle of their sound so far with Summer in Abaddon.