Tony Trischka and Brit Taylor lead the pack this week.
Johnny Blue Skies & the Dark Clouds
Mutiny After Midnight
As a vibe, this record rips right out of the gate. But the bits that are underbaked– some of the prose-poem lyricism, attempts at agitprop that scan more like trolling– leave it as a lesser entry in a once (or is it twice?) in a generation catalog.
The Infamous Stringdusters
20/20
Unimpeachable as ever, it’s this venerable outfit’s commitment to their craft and continuous improvement that sustain them. They could so easily have settled for being predictable, but this set has plenty of surprises and verve. One of their best efforts.
Ward Davis
Here I Am
If you’re in the market for slightly diminished returns on a Cody Jinks album, well… There are certainly far worse things to be when it comes to the modern country scene.
Telander
This Rules
I wouldn’t go so far as to say that, but listen: For all of the obvs reasons, I was expecting more Wallen-style dirtbag country, not the kind of thoughtfully composed and well-performed rootscore that would have Tony Kamel show up as a guest. Judge ye not and all.
Tony Trischka
Earl Jam 2
Thanks to an utter murderer’s row of guests, this sequel to one of the finest bluegrass records in recent memory actually holds up to its predecessor. His collaborators rise to each of these moments, fully understanding the assignment Trischka set before them.
Vince Gill
50 Years From Home: What I Do (EP)
It’s fine. All of these are fine. Why would I reach for this specific EP over any of the others? I can’t answer that, and I’m wondering if Vince here could, either. Sir, I cannot miss you and think of you fondly if you never actually go away for a minute.
Brit Taylor
Land of the Forgotten
Already a generational talent, Taylor levels up on this new album. She’s twang- and empathy-forward, and these songs would make her a genre superstar in a better timeline. She leans into complexities of her E KY home, highlighting stories and people who matter.
Anna Tivel
Animal Poem: B-Sides
Understandable, thematically, why these didn’t make the album proper in 2025, but would that [insert any problematic fave]’s A-sides could touch Tivel’s scraps. Knotty and dense and, to a one, a marvel of construction, these make for a near-essential bonus.
Vince’s monthly releases are a dream that I didn’t know I had come true for a fan like me. I, again, wish that there were a couple of up-tempo songs on this EP, but I still love the straight up country of the album. I also think there was some great harmony singing that I liked so much that I looked them up. I’m not familiar with Jalee Roberts or Mae Esties, but their harmonies really sounded good on their respective songs.
Oh, I reviewed Jaelee Roberts’ second album last fall– it’s pretty great! She reminds of a more technically sound Sara Evans. I also reviewed Mae Estes’ EP; she’s been kicking around forever and deserves so much better than she’s gotten. I think you’d enjoy both, but particularly the grassy Roberts set– she’s the daughter of one of The Grascals!
One thing I’m loving almost as much as Vince’s EPs is the incredible interviews with Charlie Worsham that have been accompanying each EP. Charlie is so knowledgeable about music and has done a great job of doing his homework on Vince Gill music. It really shows in the interviews. For this EP, they break down the instruments that are played on the record by isolating specific instruments, which is really cool.
…looks like a fantasy novel soundtrack, sounds like… – something an owl and i would stick around listening. enjoyed “kentucky blue” a tad more, but we are talking/hearing top notch stuff from ms. taylor.
…more reliable when it comes to delivering the goods than doordash this trischka guy.
…i’m repeatedly on record for thinking “god bless cody jinks”. i wouldn’t go that far when it comes to mr. davis. still, rather like that album in a round about way.
…any tough guy sports a skull, or ten, these days – but a butterfly? if you look for another topic between the sheets, look no further. more than meets the eye this telander, ruler of the trailer park (?) – and that’s quite a challenge.
…that cover of the stringdusters’ record ain’t daft punk? i could have sworn…
…this comment there and the nauseatic cover art is really tempting me to take a look at ms. tivel, whose a-game i must have missed last year (and all the years before) in the flood (of remarkable albums)