Feature: New Indie CDs

Jon Sobel's reviews of music releases from independent artists and labels, collected and published about twice a month.

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Jon Sobel

Articles in this feature

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• Music Review: Indie Round-Up - Chris Schutz, Easter Monkeys, Putumayo's Jazz, Tom White

  Chris Schutz's CD is one of the top pop debuts of the year.

  Review by Jon Sobel — on Nov 24, 2009

• Music Review: Indie Round-Up - Malcolm Holcombe, Jeff Norwood, Putumayo's España

  In a minor key, Malcolm Holcombe's grey, gravelly voice can sound like an extended death rattle.

  Review by Jon Sobel — on Oct 16, 2009

• Music Review: Indie Round-Up - Pere Ubu, Blue Mother Tupelo, Kentucky Headhunters

  The Kentucky Headhunters finally release a live album, nineteen years later, and it's a winner.

  Review by Jon Sobel — on Sep 22, 2009

• Music Review: Rachel Taylor Brown - Susan Storm's Ugly Sister and Other Saints and Superheroes

  In a perfect world, Brown's superhero songs would be distributed in goodie bags at Comic-Con.

  Review by Jon Sobel — on Aug 04, 2009

• Music Review: Mark Stuart and the Bastard Sons - Bend in the Road

  Mark Stuart makes it sound easy, with or without the Man in Black.

  Review by Jon Sobel — on Jul 17, 2009

• Music Review: Indie Round-Up - Craig Jackson, the Iveys, Bobby Long

  With raw vocal power and smart, evocative lyrics, Bobby Long is a folksinger with a spirited intensity.

  Review by Jon Sobel — on Jul 06, 2009

• Music Review: Indie Round-Up - Trevor Alguire, Stillhouse Hollow, Hot Monkey Love

  Trevor Alguire's music is rooted in the traditions and commonplaces of country music, but it has a modern sensibility.

  Review by Jon Sobel — on Jun 01, 2009

• Music Review: Indie Round-Up - Izzy & Chris, Like Bells, Angie Stevens, M Shanghai String Band

  Izzy & Chris tap into the fundamentals of country blues and mine that vein for all it's worth.

  Review by Jon Sobel — on Apr 30, 2009

• Music Review: Indie Round-Up - Mosher, Cleaves, Terry

  Slaid Cleaves is one of those consummate songwriters whose stuff would sound great sung by almost any singer you can think of.

  Review by Jon Sobel — on Mar 31, 2009

• Music Review: Ted Russell Kamp - Poor Man's Paradise

  There's a wink and a smile behind just about all these songs — a fizzy tonic for hard times.

  Review by Jon Sobel — on Feb 26, 2009

• Music Review: Eoin Harrington - Story

  Harrington's characters may not find their holy grail of contentment, but the songs he writes about them are totally satisfying.

  Review by Jon Sobel — on Feb 19, 2009

• Music Review: Mark Olson & Gary Louris - Ready for the Flood

  A combination of rough singing and sweet music gives this new collaboration between two original Jayhawks its charm.

  Review by Jon Sobel — on Feb 09, 2009

• Music Review: Indie Round-Up - D'Haene, June Moris, Back Door Slam

  In a world of hyper-talented young musicians, Back Door Slam plays truly impressive stuff, because it feels real.

  Review by Jon Sobel — on Jan 02, 2009

• Music Review: Indie Round-Up - Matt Morris, Lee "Scratch" Perry, Asylum Street Spankers

  Matt Morris's high, fluty tenor wafts his words into your consciousness like a message carried on the wind.

  Review by Jon Sobel — on Nov 11, 2008

• Music Review: Indie Round-Up - Laura Vecchione, Red Wanting Blue, and More

  Laura Vecchione's second disc is a consummately crafted and craftily written set of tunes that touch on commercial country, country-rock, and alt/Americana.

  Review by Jon Sobel — on Oct 20, 2008

• Indie Round-Up: Cadillac Sky, Lewis, Dupree, Dunn, Minissale, Vigil, The Break and Repair Method

  Cadillac Sky is every bit a bluegrass band, but the Texas quintet quietly expands the frontiers.

  Review by Jon Sobel — on Sep 24, 2008

• Music Review: The Keith Reid Project - The Common Thread

  Procol Harum's legendary lyricist collaborates with John Waite, Southside Johnny, Terry Reid and more on his first solo CD.

  Review by Jon Sobel — on Sep 18, 2008

• Indie Round-Up: Boggia, Coppola, Saunders, Jezzro

  Jim Boggia makes melodic, smart pop that's warmhearted but never overheated.

  Review by Jon Sobel — on Sep 13, 2008

• Indie Round-Up: Mojomatics, Duane Andrews, Brandie Frampton, Alex Statan

  Canadian guitarist Duane Andrews grafts strains of the traditional music of Newfoundland onto Django Reinhardt-inspired "gypsy jazz."

  Review by Jon Sobel — on Aug 27, 2008

• Music Review: Putumayo Presents: Acoustic Arabia

  It's sad when artists (and others) have to leave their native lands to pursue their dreams.

  Review by Jon Sobel — on Aug 19, 2008