The most interesting music coming out right now could be classified as roots music – country-rock, Americana, folk-rock, blues, etc. These artists may appear mainly on indie labels, or are big names trying to figure out a new hook but for the most part they are making some pretty good music.
Ryan Bingham, coming out of the wild west (New Mexico) and using Texas as his base, rocks on Roadhouse Sun, his third album. Like on Mescalito, his breakthrough album from 2007, Bingham infuses his music with heavy doses of Rolling Stones/Black Crowes sensibility (Crowes guitarist Marc Ford produced this), and on “Change Is,” mixes in a dollop of Led Zeppelin.
MP3: “Dylan’s Hard Rain” by Ryan Bingham
The Flatlanders may be a legend, but they’re also a band – and Hills and Valleys, their fourth official release, may be their best yet. Kicking off with the brilliant “Homeland Refugee” and the voice of Joe Ely, this Texas trio kicks the Lone Star dust off their boots and range far afield with selections like “Cry For Freedom” but their words hit home and sound just right for today. Highly recommended.
30 Days Out 