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CD Reviews
Submitted by sramser on Sun, 01/11/2009 - 18:23.
 One might expect that with the departure of lead guitarist and vocalist Benjamin Curtis, the Secret Machines would shift sound for their fourth album; unfortunately, the former Dallas trio has simply continued down the same bruising, heavy psychedelic track, but with far less convincing results. Ex-Tripping Daisy Phil Karnats fills in on guitar as Brandon Curtis assumes control, though only Josh Garza’s ferocious back beats offer any inspiration.
Submitted by sramser on Mon, 01/12/2009 - 22:56.
Record Label: Box Records Garage rock and post-Beatles pop may form the outline for this reunited New Wave-era band’s style, but the Krayolas also color very nicely outside the lines. Led by San Antonio Express-News journalist Hector Saldana and obviously spiritual sons of Sahm — longtime Sir Doug compadre Augie Meyers plays keyboards on La Conquistadora and contributes three songs — the Krayolas draw everything from the Fab Four to Bob Dylan onto their Tex-Mex rock combo platter.
Submitted by sramser on Mon, 01/12/2009 - 22:58.
Album: Last Exit to Happyland “The body count’s lower on this one,” Gurf Morlix quipped darkly a few months back when describing his just-finished follow-up to 2007’s outstanding, death-steeped Diamonds to Dust.
Submitted by sramser on Mon, 01/12/2009 - 23:00.
Album: The Truth According to Ruthie Foster Record Label: Blue Corn Music Like honky-tonker Dale Watson, Ruthie Foster is more of a style preservationist (be it gospel, blues or, most recently, soul) than an innovator in her own right. But who needs to reinvent the wheel when you do what you do this well?
Submitted by sramser on Mon, 01/12/2009 - 23:01.
Record Label: www.royheinrich.com Roy Heinrich rocks the honky-tonk in a style unlike most any other artist in Texas country. His neo-traditional equation melds hard-nosed and deep true country with his rocking C&W guitar sizzle in a dynamic fashion, topped with a deep baritone voice that echoes but doesn’t ape Johnny Cash.
Submitted by sramser on Mon, 01/12/2009 - 23:03.
Album: Drew Smith's Lonely Choir Record Label: Drew Smith Music/Viro/Fat Caddy It’s probably no accident that the name Drew Smith’s Lonely Choir sounds a bit like Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band; the album contains glimmers of the same savvy that possessed the Beatles, the Kinks and, as referenced in “Nilsson Sings Newman,” Harry Nilsson and Randy Newman.
Submitted by sramser on Mon, 01/12/2009 - 23:06.
Not counting the half-old-stuff/half-new-stuff transition album Three Days, the “Nashville stage” of Pat Green’s career to date has produced two records far better than anything he ever made during his rise as the biggest thing in Texas since sliced brisket ( Wave on Wave and Cannonball), and one clunky dud in between ( Lucky Ones
Submitted by sramser on Sun, 10/19/2008 - 07:19.
 A companion piece to last year’s The Stage Names, The Stand Ins further represents the blossoming of Austin alt-rock heroes Okkervil River into an act with far greater breadth of scope and appeal. Okkervil’s lift from lo-fi to higher sonic and musical realms may not be the trendiest of moves, but Will Sheff’s poetic, conversational lyrics and fecund melodic sensibility rightly deserve the greater clarity and treatment they enjoy on this and the previous album.
Submitted by sramser on Sun, 10/19/2008 - 07:24.
 At first pass, Sex & Gasoline sounds like the minor stumble Rodney Crowell was due for after putting out arguably the three best albums of his life: 2001’s The Houston Kid, 2003’s Fate’s Right Hand and 2005’s The Outsider.
Submitted by sramser on Sun, 10/19/2008 - 07:26.
 The taller brother Robison’s latest may not bring anything new, per se, to the world of his musical vision, but his gift for creating something that feels both comfortably familiar yet somehow fresh is a talent not to be discounted. Like his hero Don Williams, Robison summons up dynamism from a generally laid-back approach, offering an album here that has the ambience of the back porch, albeit one with electrical outlets at the ready.
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