My Two Cents: The Story

It's the kind of CD that's so good that, after listening to the first two tracks, you stop the disc and go back to listen to them both again. Though I had heard and seen things about Brandi Carlile, it was my friend Janine who introduced me to Carlile's music. I liked the singer-songwriter's sophomore folk/country/rock record a good deal after the initial spin. However, after reading Bud Scoppa's feature on the powerhouse alto and her twin bandmates in Paste Magazine, I decided that I definitely needed to buy the disc. (That's the power of a great article; that's the power of the written word.) Scoppa nailed it with this description: "...the band sounds like a reincarnated Patsy Cline fronting Coldplay." Click here to read the piece for yourself. Perhaps you'll become a fan, too.

Spinning This Week:

Sufjan Stevens : Seven Swans
Over the Rhine : Ohio
Patty Griffin : Children Running Through
Feist : The Reminder
Brandi Carlile : The Story
Iona : Beyond These Shores
Jars of Clay : Who We Are Instead
Jennifer Knapp : The Collection

Papa Max

Kevin Max, one of my favorite vocalists (and former adolescent crush), has become a father for the second time. Wilder Liam Max was born June 6. Congrats to K-Max, wife Amanda and daughter London.

Spinning This Week:

Brandi Carlile : The Story
Over the Rhine : Amateur Shortwave Radio
Over the Rhine : Films for Radio

Close Call

Contrary to Andree Farias' Scoop report, Derek Webb has not rejoined the lineup of his former band, Caedmon's Call. He was simply invited "to take part in (CC's newest) project and upcoming tour," according to Caedmon's site. Farias' "news" was curious to me and led to a tinge of worry on my part. I was immediately driven to research the claim and quickly found relief. Perhaps I was "reading into" the report and did so incorrectly.

Note: I am not necessarily anti-Caedmon's Call. I appreciate the folk/pop outfit's early work, but have not purchased a CC record since Long Line of Leavers. My interest waned with Webb's departure.

I Pine for Rhine

I am greatly looking forward to seeing one of my absolute favorite acts, Over the Rhine, again this Friday. I hope to hear a preview of the forthcoming album, The Trumpet Child. Linford and Karin's new baby is due on Aug. 21.

Spinning This Week:

Passion : Sacred Revolution: Songs from One Day 03
Matthew : Everybody Down
John Mayer : Continuum
Tracy Chapman : Where You Live
Delirious? : World Service
Sufjan Stevens : Illinois
Waterdeep : Everyone's Beautiful
tobyMac : Portable Sounds
Over the Rhine : Ohio
Dreamgirls : Music from the Motion Picture
tobyMac : Welcome to Diverse City
Over the Rhine :Good Dog Bad Dog: The Home Recordings
All Star United : Love and Radiation
Over the Rhine : Drunkard's Prayer