So when Robert Johnson’s “The Centennial Collection” was released, I jumped at the chance to reform my opinion on the genre via the greatest bluesman of them all. It features all of Johnson’s recorded output, just like the 1990 release, “The Complete Recordings,” but features different text in the included booklet. Forty-two tracks later, I […]
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The Unthanks — Last
No better synopsis exists, as this sparse folk disc deals almost exclusively in exquisite misery. It’s a downtrodden affair, but it’s oh-so-gorgeous while being gray. Rachel and Becky Unthank (their real name!) are the driving force behind the band, as their pristine, incredibly British vocals dominate the proceedings. Their lovely accents are a boon for […]
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Chris Bathgate — Salt Year
It’s a mellowing experience, one that makes a sleepy day seem bearable. The folky tunes don’t have an underlying layer of misery that marks Bon Iver’s output, and that’s all the better for just watching life go by on a lazy afternoon. If you’re lazy, you can just put “No Silver” on repeat and drift […]
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Emily Arin — Patch of Land
But Emily Arin’s “Patch of Land” bursts through those categories and creates a mesmerizing album that can’t be pinned down. Her instrument is the acoustic guitar, and she sings in a haunting tone that falls just south of soprano. Her songs incorporate modern singer/songwriter, folk, ‘50s pop, country, waltzes and more. The whole album is […]
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Bob Dylan — In Concert: Brandeis University
But when a CBS executive feared a libel suit from the John Birch Society and asked Bob to perform something else, Dylan walked out. American audiences never saw Dylan’s satirical song performed on the popular Sunday-night variety show on May 12, 1963. However, a previously unknown recording of that song from two days before is […]
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Elephant Revival — Break in the Clouds
It helps that all five members contribute songs, taking the stress off one songwriter. The band takes the term “folk” seriously, sticking to tunes that could have been culled from the Appalachians in the 19th century or earlier. Thankfully, the production isn’t rustic. The songs sport a sprightly, well-produced sheen landing just short of being […]
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The Rural Alberta Advantage — Departing
Both tunes off “Hometowns” rattled and shook with a frantic abandon, despite the fact that they were both alt-folk songs at heart, and one of them was supposed to be depressing. Having gotten some of their spitfire out of the way, the band wisely eschewed an attempt at “Hometowns Pt. II.” They instead revealed “Departing,” […]
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Wellfleet — The District
A recently popularized trend in folk is to go to a location with no songs but the intent of writing an album, and The District has taken that approach in crafting its debut. The results of that approach are deeply ingrained in the feel of the album, as the whole things hangs together like a […]
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The Low Anthem — Smart Flesh
You know a real folk song when you hear it; it could have been written 100 years ago or in 100 years, and it would sound the same. The Low Anthem wrote 11 timeless folk tunes and called it “Smart Flesh.” It is an early candidate for album of the year, as it is gorgeous […]
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‘Dark’ horse
There’s a gentle reflective cast to his songs. Nimble poetry pirouetting around burbling acoustic guitar melodies. A limber baritone supporting arrangements that are spare and understated, even on record, providing ballast that keeps them from drifting away. John Gorka has established himself as one of folk’s finest writers, a master at walking the tightrope between […]