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Little Honey

Childrens Toy Shop > Music > Alt-Country and Americana
by: Lucinda Williams

October 14, 2008
After three great recordings in a row, something less than wicked this way comes, cliched and dreary . The presence of the 'guest artists' is a sure sign that the well's run dry. If this is what domestic bliss leads to, one can only - ungenerously - hope Lucinda's newfound serenity is short lived.

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The Imus Ranch Record

Childrens Toy Shop > Music > Alt-Country and Americana
by: Various Artists

September 16, 2008
Artists, of course, are notable, but I'll guarantee their renderings would never sell a record!

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Gossip In The Grain

Childrens Toy Shop > Music > Alt-Country and Americana
by: Ray LaMontagne

October 14, 2008
First time I've bought anything by this artist. Since buying it I have kept it in heavy rotation in my car CD player. His voice is very different, and his phrasing is wonderful. In some ways he reminds me of a young Van Morrison. I hope to hear more from him.

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Cardinology

Childrens Toy Shop > Music > Alt-Country and Americana
by: Ryan Adams & the Cardinals

October 28, 2008
Wow...how does one go from the heights of lyrical magic (as heard on "Tiger") tearing your heart out over bad drugs, wounded lovers, and fragile recovery, and go to...this? "Cardinology" has every flaw seen in a scared, lazy, shallow album--songs that are familiar (but in a bad way--sooo predictable), crappy guitar-work with Godawful mixes, minimal tension and atmosphere....it's as if Senor R. crapped in his widdle pants and decided to frame it for the world to see. The steel guitar may actually be good, who would know, since it's buried in mud. Here's a laugh, I was actually thankful for the low song output on this effort, since it ended my pain. It's worse than bad...it's half-good. Ryan, wake up!

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Raising Sand

Childrens Toy Shop > Music > Alt-Country and Americana
from: Rounder

October 23, 2007
This is one of my favorite CDs. Each song brings up a different emotion. Everyone I have played it for loves it. I play it over and over and enjoy it more each time.

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Break Up the Concrete

Childrens Toy Shop > Music > Alt-Country and Americana
by: The Pretenders

October 07, 2008
The Pretenders have not made a great album since "Learning to Crawl" ... maybe it's time to try Rick Rubin.

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All I Intended to Be

Childrens Toy Shop > Music > Alt-Country and Americana
by: Emmylou Harris

June 10, 2008
If you don't know Emmylou Harris at all, buy anything she's ever done. The worst that you'll get is really good. This album is lovely, if low-key and sad. There is a strain of American music - the only authentic strain aside from Afro-American - embodied in country, folk and some rock based on the former two that is heart-piercing, but absolutely lovely. And Emmylou Harris - who defies labels - does it best of all (though her version of "Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend" - elsewhere - rocks with a kind of tough cynicism that the Broadway showtune never had.) I've seen her up close in a small concert and she is the very epitome of grace, modesty and beauty. I've been playing this disk for months in my waiting room, and client after client has been struck ... Read More:

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Acid Tongue

Childrens Toy Shop > Music > Alt-Country and Americana
by: Jenny Lewis

September 23, 2008
"I wear a ponytail like a waterfall / Loudspeaker cause a landslide / I got a room key and a Johnny / A good buzz, feelin' alright," sings Jenny Lewis on the swingin' "See Fernando," the immediate standout track from her second solo album, Acid Tongue. Those rhythmic one-liners, penned while touring for her breakout debut, 2006's Rabbit Fur Coat, say an awful lot about the Rilo Kiley front woman. She's somewhat of a girly girl; she likes rock n' roll and isn't afraid of its time-tested clichés; she's got a man (singer/songwriter Johnathan Rice) and wont flinch at the chance to tease her listeners about closed doors; and she likes to shamelessly knock a few back whenever possible. Whether that's the real Lewis or not hardly matters, it's her stage and studio ... Read More:

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Damn Right, Rebel Proud

Childrens Toy Shop > Music > Alt-Country and Americana
by: Hank Williams III

October 21, 2008
Hank III's new CD is full of the stuff his fans love. He trashes the Country Music establishment, glorifies drinkin', calls the Devil his friend--and makes it all sound great with his tight country punk band. I thought his last CD, 2006's "Straight To Hell", was full of classic songs. Unfortunately, "Damn Right" doesn't quite measure up to "Straight To Hell"--for example, sometimes it seems like he is trying too hard to make the words fit the music. But it does have some great songs on it, and is certainly better than 2002's "Lovesick, Broke, and Driftin'". "Damn Right" doesn't break any new ground, but if you are already a fan, it won't disappoint.

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Rambling Boy

Childrens Toy Shop > Music > Alt-Country and Americana
by: Charlie Haden

September 23, 2008
'Rambling Boy' is a marvelous compilation of authentic, front-porch Americana. I love country and hear my share of Bluegrass. If you're a fan of groups such as Charlie Haden, as I am, this will show you what their predecessors sounded like. True roots music. The recording is great, as well. Nary a hiss or pop, which is quite remarkable for recordings of this era. The engineers obviously embarked on a labor of love. The songs and the singers are first rate- this is a sing along CD- grab it and bring it with you- warning: it may cause foot tapping and hand clapping.

Highly Recommended. prisrob 11-16-08

The Art of the Rag

The Best of Quartet West