Quirky, perhaps a bit pretentious, and extremely popular. Stevens has set out to dedicate one album each to every state in the American union… and with this only has 48 to go. This is progressive orchestral folk tinted with Americana and occasional psychedelic humour… with quite a few very long song titles to boot. Brilliant.
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The Sunset Tree The Mountain Goats 2005 [4AD]
Multifarious lo-fi indie-folk from singer-songwriter John Darnielle's main musical project, the Mountain Goats. The album focuses on Darnielle's early years and, in particular, his abusive stepfather to whom the album is somewhat contemptuously dedicated. Also very good is the more acoustically-oriented Tallahassee from 2002.
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Death Songs for the Living Gob Iron 2006 [Transmit Sound]
When Jay Farrar (Uncle Tupelo & Son Volt) got together with Varnaline's Anders Parker in 2004 they put aside the recording of a new Son Volt album in order to apply the "folk process" to the songs found here. A lot of the songs chosen were about death, thus giving the album its title. Topnotch music deserving of an audience.
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Makers Rocky Votolato 2006 [Barsuk]
As guitarist and frontman for Seattle's highly-charged Waxwing, Votolato began doing solo projects in 1999 in order to showcase some of his more folkified stuff. The fabulous Makers shows off his Texan roots, sounding like something made to go straight from the ranch to the coffeehouse. Surprisingly ignored by most of the folk community.
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All the Roadrunning Mark Knopfler & Emmylou Harris 2006 [Warner]
Recorded largely on the sly over the last seven years, the album features the pairing of ex-Dire Straits guitarist Mark Knopfler and country-folk diva Emmylou Harris. Knopfler tinkers with the edges of Americana and pens most of the tunes, while Harris is in fine voice as usual. Heavy-handed production hampers an otherwise fine effort.
Adieu False Heart Linda Ronstadt & Ann Savoy 2006 [Vanguard]
This teaming of the versatile Linda Ronstadt and Cajun folkster Ann Savoy (as the Zozo Sisters) is almost certain to emerge as one of the top folk records of 2006. There are some nice string arrangements - familiar territory for Ronstadt - and, of course, plenty of Cajun fiddle and accordion. As one might expect, the vocals really rattle the cages.
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Say I Am You The Weepies 2006 [Nettwerk]
Delightful folk-pop duo the Weepies are Steve Tannen and Deb Talan, a pair of gifted songwriters who make literate music that is easy on the ear. Emerging from the Boston/Cambridge folk scene in 2003, this home recording was first available as a download before appearing in the shops early in 2006. Let's hope they keep it going.
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Try Me One More Time David Bromberg 2007 [Appleseed]
A 17-year recording hiatus following a self-confessed burn-out hasn't dimmed Bromberg's mastery of folksy blues in the slightest. The album features Bromberg's acoustic guitar stripped down to some brilliant basics and his singing is so effectively engaging that it is obvious the break has done him good. Hard to miss with this one.
