CD-Charts Position 1
Average Rating:

The Future Is Unwritten

CD-Charts > Music > Urban Folk
starring: Joe Strummer
directed by: Julian Temple

Release Date July 08, 2008
This is a very good documentary; lots of great footage. It really seems like a fresh retrospective. Some of the other stuff that's come out between 'Westway' and this, seems to have less to offer than 'This is video Clash', the late '80's quickie compilation. GREAT STUFF, from the beginning to the final incarnation of the band (i think the last album was a little better than the reviews, but not as good as what Husker Du was generating at that time). WHAT A BAND! I think Mick Jones had the right idea musically, during the Combat Rock period. Too bad we couldn't see a continuation of that.

CD-Charts Position 2
Average Rating:

Living & The Dead

CD-Charts > Music > Urban Folk
by: Jolie Holland

Release Date October 07, 2008
I was caught by this album when I first heard it, I was really surprised by how listenable it is. While this album does lack the gorgeous smoky darkness and textures of Springtime, The Living and The Dead, is still a brilliant album. The atmosphere is surrendered for a more lively collection of songs, but the songs are still brilliantly arranged and preformed. And the melodies are better. For me the Lyrics aren't as good as on Springtime, but the construction of the songs themselves are better, they are more solid and it's easy to hear Jolie becoming a much better songwriter.

It's a beautiful, buoyant record, full of spirit and still a little shadow to play this record brilliantly.

CD-Charts Position 3
Average Rating:

Lifeline

CD-Charts > Music > Urban Folk
by: Ben Harper & the Innocent Criminals

Release Date August 28, 2007
It seems like each and everyday Ben Harper's music continues to grow on me. I have known his music for a decade but didn't really become a fan until a couple of years ago. He is trully one of the most creative artists of his time. He can go from rock, soul, funk, R&B, gospal, and even bluegrass over a course of an album and it never sounds forced or chessy.
Lifeline is a fantastic album. "Into the Colors" is a great first single and the album is packed with great tracks throuhout. If you are a Ben Harper fan then you will not be disappointed with this purchase. This is one of the best albums in the music industry over the past few years.

CD-Charts Position 4
Average Rating:

Dark Shades of Blue

CD-Charts > Music > Urban Folk
by: Xavier Rudd

Release Date August 19, 2008
Compared to Xavier Rudd's larger body of work, "Dark Shades of Blue" languishes in a slump. I first want to establish that I adore Xavier Rudd; I enjoy his live show and I was enthralled by many of his earlier albums like "White Moth" and "Solace." What is the issue? It's hard to say. This pleasant album features all of the typical elements of a good Xavier Rudd release. It features Rudd's killer slide guitar, a good overall sound, the infusion of aboriginal sounds and his environmental consciousness. In this respect, "Dark Shades of Blue" seems a bit redundant. It is more of the same without taking things to the next level. What's ultimately missing is compelling song writing. 'Blackwater' is an amazing, jamband friendly instrumental piece that rocks ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 5
Average Rating:

Orphans [Fold-out Digipak with 24-page booklet]

CD-Charts > Music > Urban Folk
by: Tom Waits

Release Date December 05, 2006
This was my 1st time using another seller for a used item (CD box set) and even if one of the cd is showing finger prints they are playing ok. Shipping was not as fast as an Amazon purchase.

CD-Charts Position 6
Average Rating:

World Without Tears

CD-Charts > Music > Urban Folk
by: Lucinda Williams

Release Date April 08, 2003
This woman is a poet of growing power, a singer of rare expressiveness, backed by a band that can find its way from a country slide to acid distortion in a few bars. Delicious reverb on some of the tracks, and I cannot resist a quote from one of her many beautifully broken-hearted songs: "I wanna see the ocean bend the edges of the sun..." Gorgeous! I have the 2004 Australasian Tour Version of this Album. Raw language here and there, and rightly so. I'm a guy, but this woman's heart speaks to me. The title song is an amazing piece of lyricism, a bending of grammar and meaning to the purposes of an anguished soul. Her words and rhythms echo in my brain for days after I've listened to her. Whether this lady has the range of genius possessed by Neil Young or Bob Dylan ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 7
Average Rating:

Mermaid Avenue

CD-Charts > Music > Urban Folk
by: Billy Bragg & Wilco

Release Date June 23, 1998
Better than the sum of its contributors, the 2nd song "California Stars" knocks this one out of the park. A true campfire song for the ages. If this record is a bit uneven due to the stylistic differences between Wilco and Billy Bragg, it is only a temporary feeling that a song shuffling to your taste will fix. Repeated listenings belie the depth of talent stretching from the writer to the musicians. Worth the effort to listen a bunch of times. "Way Over Yonder In A Minor Key" features unique harmony vocals from Natalie Merchant, "Hoodoo Voodoo" is as Wilco as they were. "The Unwelcome Guest" is a nice mix of all of 'em, ending the album on a somber, if powerful, note.

CD-Charts Position 8
Average Rating:

Up Front and Down Low

CD-Charts > Music > Urban Folk
by: Teddy Thompson

Release Date July 17, 2007
I love Linda Thompson, Teddy's mother and I love Teddy's parents Richard and Linda Thompson together (sadly, they're divorced and no longer perform together). After hearing Teddy on the Brokeback Mountain soundtrack, I fell in love with his voice as well. In his new CD, a collection mostly of cover songs by such Nashville (and Bakersfield) legends as George Jones, Ernest Tubb, Dolly Parton, and Merle Haggard Teddy Thompson excels. He has the perfect voice for these country classics. Who knew something like this would come from a singer from the UK? Last year another favorite of mine, the great Van Morrison did a CD of country classics and although very good, I think Teddy has eclipsed him. Of course it doesn't hurt that he employs the fabulous Iris Dement on one cut.

CD-Charts Position 9
Average Rating:

Separate Ways

CD-Charts > Music > Urban Folk
by: Teddy Thompson

Release Date February 21, 2006
Teddy Thompsons captures the roots feel of sixties folk country
The first four tracks are excellent especially "I wish It Was Over"
The secret to record sales is airplay and that song was featured on TV as part of a summer concert. The last eight tracks are a little sombre and melancholic, but four out of twelve is better than most albums. This young man has future as a singer songwriter.

CD-Charts Position 10
Average Rating:

Streetcore

CD-Charts > Music > Urban Folk
by: Joe Strummer & the Mescaleros

Release Date October 21, 2003
So many great musicians have left their marks across the history of the music I (and millions more)love. The King, John&Paul(no last names necessary) Jimi, Kurt and many other greats.

Joe Strummer deserves a spot when listing the ones who changed the music world for the better. If by some chance you are reading this review with out benefit of knowing who Joe was or his life story, then you need to get some Clash CDs and do some internet reading. Joe and the Clash meant the world to many of us and I write this review of Joe's last album before his sudden passing with the heaviest of hearts. The Clash was THE BEST punk group ever, because they were the most musically talented. Many punk fans think that the point of punk was /is simply fast and furious. While that ... Read More: