BEST ALBUMS of 2013

Each year I look back at all of the albums I purchased and fell in love with.  I go down the difficult road of narrowing that list (over and over again) to create this BEST OF...so without any further adieu, here's my TOP 10 albums of 2013 (in no particular order):

10. Lightning Bolt (PEARL JAM)

9. The Civil Wars (THE CIVIL WARS)

8. Lanterns (SON LUX)

7. The Weatherman (GREGORY ALAN ISAKOV)

6. Trouble Will Find Me (THE NATIONAL)

5. Repave (VOLCANO CHOIR)

4. I Am Mountain (GUNGOR)

3. The Lone Bellow (THE LONE BELLOW)

2. Atlas (SLEEPING AT LAST)

1. Country Sleep (NIGHT BEDS)

Peace,

Ross

The Civil Wars (on capturing tension).

The Civil Wars might just be my favorite duet.  And with duets comes tension!  In this interview, Joy and John discuss the tension that has engulfed their relationship, and how it is translated through song.  Enjoy!



Peace,
Ross

My Top 5 Albums of 2011

It's that time of the year where I go through all of the albums I've listened to and loved over the past year and try to narrow it down to my TOP 5. So, without further adieu, here's my top 5 albums of 2011 in order of their importance.

Peace,
Ross

#1 - They Reappear (Jeremy Larson)

#2 - Bon Iver (Bon Iver)

#3 - Odd Soul (Mutemath)

#4 - Barton Hallow (The Civil Wars)

#5 - Gungor (Gungor)

The Civil Wars (Live in St Louis)

On Saturday night I caught The Civil Wars in St Louis at The Old Rock House. It was an incredibly intimate show, and The Civil Wars put on a mesmerizing performance. I've never heard vocals blend and move and dance like these 2!

Here's a couple quick videos I was able to get from the show. Enjoy!

I hope everyone had a wonderful Easter!

Peace,
Ross

New Music of 2011: HOPEFUL THUS FAR!

Many argued that 2010 was a weak year for original music. Perhaps. But 2011 has started strong in my opinion, and i'm feeling hopeful thus far!

Here's 3 new albums that give me hope for music in 2011! Check 'em out...

Barton Hollow - The Civil Wars

Mine is Yours - Cold War Kids

The Ladder - Andrew Belle

Peace,
Ross

Congrats to The Civil Wars!

I've been a HUGE fan of this duo for quite some time. Last night, The Civil Wars had their television debut on Leno, performing their title track, Barton Hollow.



Peace,
Ross

p.s. if you're in the Chicago area, I hope to see you out at our show tonight!
The Underground Lounge @ 9PM (952 West Newport Avenue)

A Christmas TOP 5 (tunes & movies)

Its that time of year when every publication is pumping out their "best-of's." So I figured I would follow suit and give you a list of my TOP 5 Christmas tunes (recent) - its hard to top Bing and Andy...so here's what the kids are listening to :-) and movies (of all time).

SONGS...
O Holy Night - Shane & Shane
What Child Is This - Sleeping At Last
O Come, O Come, Emmanuel - The Civil Wars
Little Drummer Boy - Jars of Clay
O Come All Ye Faithful - Pomplamoose

MOVIES...
The Grinch Who Stole Christmas (1966 version)
Christmas Vacation
A Christmas Story
Home Alone
White Christmas

Please comment & share your own favorites!

Peace,
Ross

Barton Hallow by The Civil Wars

I've made the pledge to you in the past to pass along great music and artistry. So in my attempts to not horde greatness, here's a new song/video from a great Nashville band, The Civil Wars.

Watch it and love it!



Peace,
Ross