Alt-Country
Orville Peck Unleashes New Show Pony EP: Stream
Orville Peck has finally dropped his new Show Pony EP. The effort was originally due out earlier this year, but Peck postponed the release so as not to distract from the Black Lives Matter protests. The six-track project is highlighted by a so-called “dream come true” duet with country legend Shania Twain, aptly titled “Legends Never Die”. There’s also a cover of the Bobbie Gentry classic “Fancy”, as well as early original singles “Summertime” and “No Glory in the West”. Show Pony is Peck’s second-ever project following last year’s Pony debut album, which earned the masked alt-country star widespread critical acclaim. It also comes a month after his cover of Bronski Beat’s “Smalltown Boy”, released in honor of Pride month. Editors’ Picks Stream Show Pony below via Apple Music an...
The Chicks’ Gaslighter Galvanizes The Trio’s Long-Awaited Return: Review
The Lowdown: The most infamous act in country music, The Chicks (formerly known as the Dixie Chicks), stopped releasing new music 14 years ago, after their seventh album, Taking the Long Way, netted five Grammys. These included Album of the Year, plus Record of the Year and Song of the Year for “Not Ready to Make Nice”, which settled any lingering questions about whether they regretted their 2003 criticism of George W. Bush (they did not). Gaslighter marks the trio’s official return, and a lot has changed, both in the surrounding world and in the sound of The Chicks’ music. But some crucial elements remain the same: their attention is firmly focused ahead of them and on the things they care for. In the songs that focus on deteriorating relationships, and notably lead singer Natalie Maines’...
The Chicks Perform “March March”, Talk Dropping “Dixie” on Colbert: Watch
When the pandemic hit and lockdown was initiated, Stephen Colbert was forced to abandon the iconic Ed Sullivan Theater. His last guests scheduled to appear at the New York City landmark were the then-named Dixie Chicks, but they were understandably bumped in favor of CNN Chief Medical Correspondent Sanjay Gupta. On Thursday night, the group now called just The Chicks were finally able to make up that missed appearance on The Late Show with a remote performance of “March March” and a discussion about their new moniker. Asked why they’d chosen now to drop “Dixie” from their name, lead singer Natalie Maines said a change was always in the works. “Well, it’s because of everything that’s going on in the world. It was about time; we’ve wanted to change it for a long time, actually,” she explaine...
My Morning Jacket Release New Album The Waterfall II: Stream
After a half decade wait, My Morning Jacket have finally unveiled The Waterfall II. Stream it below via Spotify and Apple Music. For a high-definition listening experience, you can sign up for a 60-day free trial of TIDAL HiFi. The Waterfall II arrives five years after the band’s last album, The Waterfall. Both collections were recorded during what have become known as the Panoramic House Sessions, which MMJ laid down between 2013 and 2014. Similarly, both were produced by frontman Jim James alongside Tucker Martine. James decided to revisit the 10 tracks that make up The Waterfall II when he stumbled upon opener “Spinning My Wheels” while listening to music on a walk early in the pandemic lockdown. The lyrics about being “hypnotized from doing the same old thing” felt very relev...
Jason Isbell Unveils “Maybe It’s Time” Demo from A Star is Born: Stream
Jason Isbell contributed one perfect song to the 2018 A Star is Born soundtrack: “Maybe It’s Time”, sung by Bradley Cooper. Now, Isbell has shared his original demo of “Maybe It’s Time”, as well as the unreleased track “Alabama Sky”. Both songs are available on Bandcamp as part of the last fee-free Bandcamp Day. Bradley Cooper’s performance as alcoholic rock star Jackson Maine earned him an Oscar nomination. “Maybe It’s Time” was the character’s signature song, and Cooper’s singing was surprisingly good. But Isbell remains the better vocalist. The lyrics come out crisper, easier to hear, yet Isbell’s tone sounds much more conversational. Compared to the film, the demo is driven by a louder, brighter acoustic guitar, and Isbell’s delivery is so subtly emotional, it makes a well-kn...
Margo Price Covers Bob Dylan, Performs “Letting Me Down” on CBS This Morning: Watch
Margo Price served as the latest guest on CBS This Morning: Saturday. She performed her new single “Letting Me Down”, as well as a cover of Bob Dylan’s “Things Have Changed”, and her own b-side, “Drifter”. For an artist who made her name in Americana and country, she put together a surprisingly rocking set. “Letting Me Down” is already among Price’s most muscular songs, with a ripping electric guitar that keeps the track locked in fifth gear. And while she could’ve chosen a folksier Bob Dylan cover, she instead opted for “Things Have Changed”, the Academy-award winning original song from the 2000 film Wonder Boys. “Things Have Changed” is upbeat and bluesy, and Price pushes her voice outside of its comfort zone. She puts some grind into her phrasing, punctuating her usual cr...
Orville Peck Announces New Show Pony EP, Shares “No Glory in the West”: Stream
Orville Peck will celebrate the summer season with a new EP dubbed Show Pony. His first collection of music since last year’s Pony debut is officially due out June 12th. According to social media posts, the forthcoming EP features his “Summertime” single from April, as well as “No Glory in the West”, a newly revealed track that’s streaming below. Update: The tracklist also features a collaboration with Shania Twain called “Legends Never Die”. “I loved my experience with Pony. However, Show Pony is a more confident perspective and allows me to share even more both lyrically and musically,” Peck said in a statement. “Like all country albums, Show Pony is a little collection of stories – some sad, some happy – and I am excited for people to hear it. Working with Shania was a dream come t...
Livestream Phosphorescent’s Haunting Set at Pickathon Music Festival
This week, Consequence of Sound is once again teaming up with Pickathon Music Festival to stream past festival performances. This week, we’ll be sharing sets from Phosphorescent, Built to Spill, Warpaint, and Joseph. First up is Phosphorescent’s shimmery, haunted country rock set from 2018, which came in support of Matthew Houck’s seventh LP, C’est La Vie. It’s streaming live on our Facebook page beginning at 4:00 p.m. ET. On Thursday, we’ll be streaming Built to Spill’s 2018 performance at Pickathon. Sets from Warpaint and Joseph will follow on Saturday and Sunday afternoon, respectively. All the performances can be viewed on our Facebook page. Proceeds from Pickathon’s “A Concert A Day” livestreaming series benefit MusiCares’ COVD-19 Relief Fund. Viewers can donate to the fund direc...
Marilyn Manson Wants to Team Up with Brandi Carlile for “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” Duet
Marilyn Manson is a big fan of Brandi Carlile, so much so that the Antichrist Superstar wants to duet with the alt-country singer on the Wizard of Oz classic “Somewhere Over the Rainbow”. Carlile revealed the tidbit during a new interview with host Zane Lowe on his Apple Music program, remarking, “Marilyn Manson wants to record ‘Somewhere Over the Rainbow’ with me. He’s been texting me about it.” When Lowe responded, “Do that!”, Carlile answered, “Okay, I will.” She also added, “[Manson] came to my Joni Mitchell Blue show. I did a show where I did all of Blue by Joni Mitchell at Disney Hall in LA. He came, and he cried so hard. He had all his makeup down his face, and turns out he’s the biggest Joni Mitchell fan on the face of the planet.” The original version of “Somewhere Over the R...
