What a fabulous album.

This is the tenth time Jay Nash has walked into a studio and recorded beautiful songs. “I am just a patron of the arts,” he says on “The Art Thief,” a song about struggling for his love and his craft. And it’s true. This is a man who writes visually about feelings–he tells stories with sadness and truth, songs that make you want to stop and sit still and listen. Music means something to Jay Nash–he’s not jsut doing it because it’s fun, he’s doing it because he has to.

“Sometimes you want to go home…Just a little bit of hope, you carry on.” he sings on “Sometimes.” And that’s exactly what this album feels like.

Available on May 14th here and on iTunes.

I admit, I read too quickly when I put this submission into my playlist and thought it was the new Caitlin Cary–you know, the chick from Whiskeytown.  And truth to tell, there’s a similar sound: Smart country, with little-to-no twang (and where there is some, it’s subtle, tasteful, and charming).  But Ms. Rose is more traditional–and I mean that in a good way.

In fact, with every listen I’m loving this more and more. Especially the track titled “Waitin’.” It shoulda been the single! But I Was Cruel is good, too.

Check it out.

RIYL: Patsy Cline, Jack White’s album with Loretta Lynn, and, yes, Caitlin Cary.

I Was Cruel (direct link mpfree)

Not everything has to be genre-breaking, edgy, or experimental.  Sometimes, you just need a melody, some good lyrics,and decent hats.

The aptly named “Proper Records” is backing this band of accomplished musicians: Butch Vig, drummer for Garbage and producer of the Most Important Album of the 1990s. Phil Davis, who played with Vig in Fire Town, a hot band from the late 1980s. And Franklin Lee and Peter Anderson, from San Francisco’s Call Me Bwana. They’re all guys who have been playing music for decades. And it shows.

Americana country the way it oughta be done.  This one is going in my stack of potential “best of the year” CDs.

Terrific music.

Young Black Rose (mpfree)

Championship Fighter (mpfree)

Apparently, The Wrinkle Neck Mules already have quite a little following. They’ve even been featured in a Geico ad. But they’re still on an indie label (Lower 40), making fantastic country music–Athens style. They’ve struggled lately, with some lineup changes due to tragedies, but they’ve come back strong.

Here’s a live recording of the new single, “When the Wheels Touch Down.”

BONUS: CORDUROY ROAD

If you like WNMs, you might also dig these dudes. They’re a little more “traditional” country. From their latest album, “Two Step Silhouette,” here’s the single as an mpfree.

“Love You Can’t Shake”

When I started this blog back in 2002, I made a vow to feature all kinds of independent music. On any given week, you’ll find a hip hop mixtape, a couple rock albums, and maybe some folk. And today, country.

First, The Doc Marshalls–from that most downhomest of places, Brooklyn.

And yes, The Doc Marshalls album, Look Out, Compadre, reeks of Brooklyn in sound if not content. It’s wonderful, well-written and accessible country that may mention prairies here and there but is essentially universal. Without irony or twang.

Check it out.

Kernow

Next up, Waylon Speed.

Just as the name “Doc Marshalls” should make you think of traditional country, Waylon Speed should make you think of outlaw country and, well, speed. Amphetamines or acceleration, either meaning. Seven Days is the Burlington, VT, band’s third album, and it’s good barband stuff.

I can’t seem to stop listening to The Riverbreaks, “Get You Right,” a strange hybrid of Americana and experimental indie pop that emphasizes tight songwriting over musical showmanship.  There’s no real blazing guitarwork or overpowering vocals–there’s just a team, a band playing together, straight outta D.C.

I can’t believe these guys played The Iota, right in my backyard, and I missed ‘em!  Check out a couple songs below, and I bet you’ll dig ‘em, too……

Get it cheap at Amazon.

Download The Riverbreaks DKT
The Riverbreaks DKT

Download The Riverbreaks Piedmont
The Riverbreaks Piedmont

Sometimes, it’s nice to hear some good old fashioned real music. The kind where some guys who are very good at what they do get together and play instruments and sing. Remember that stuff?

Will Currie and the Country French do.  Real good stuff.

Railroad (MPfree)

And here they are playing “City,” also off their new album.

Perhaps more than just about any other indie labels, Sub Pop has always had a surprisingly versatile roster, ranging from punk to prog to Americana.  And then there’s Blitzen Trapper.

The Portland band has never, ever let me down, and American Goldwing continues their winning streak.  Between their five prior albums and a few powerful EPs, the band has developed a unique voice in the world of indie Americana.  Their music hits the peaks of the genre, with backporch harmonica and acoustic cuts, while at the same time jolting the listener into the world of garage band rock (“Your Crying Eyes”) or 1970s AM rock (“Love the Way You Walk Away”) and never, ever slacking in the lyric department.

It’s practically impossible to get sick of this band, because every time they grow and pop just a little bit more.

Love the Way You Walk Away

You can order it here.  Support the artist!

 THE DEAD EXS-Resurrection

Like the Black Keys?  Like The White Stripes?

Check out the name-your-own-price (yes, zero bucks is included) album by The Dead Exs.  This NYC band is getting a rep quickly, so listen now—before it comes trendy.

Get it free here.

CABIN DOGS-Midnight Trail

Rich and Rob Kwait, twin brothers, have produced an album of country-sounding indie tunes, including a terrific Bob Dylan cover.

For fans of Drive By Truckers, Whiskeytown, Jason Isbel, Wilco.

New Morning (Bob Dylan cover)

Bloom

Twilight

High Falls

MITTENFIELDS-The Fresh Sum (EP)

Screaming, atmospheric punk with vocals that sound like David Byrne.  Can’t go wrong with a combo like that, can you?

My Mind Is An Avalanche