She's Canadian, i know...

but sometimes you've got to bend the rules a little...

Instrumental...

recorded at Calexico's Wavelab studios this is a great instrumental from Richmond Fontaine's last record but one (Thirteen Cities). Not only do the band feature in the book, but there's a list from frontman Willy Vlautin too, 'Riding with Lowell George...'

Next up...

is the Felice Brothers, Simone and all, who Rick Moody writes brilliantly about in the book. 'Roll on Arte, roll on...'

'This land is...'

To mark our stateside publication, I'm going to run some songs/clips here over the next week or so from my favourite contemporary US bands or singers, all of whom feature in the book at some point. I guess you'll just have to buy it to find out where...

So who's first up?

Drum roll...

here's Soft skull's great new cover for their pbk edition. More on its forthcoming US publication very soon...

Classic My Morning Jacket

i've lost touch with them recently, but those first three records with the old line-up are superb, here they are in all their hirsute glory (great video too)!

Check My Brain

'Down in a Hole', 'Rooster', 'No Excuses', 'Angry Chair'... Alice in Chains are back with a new album. If you think it sounds dodgy though, new singer and all, click through to their site and listen to the forthcoming single, which sounds massive!

Great covers EP from Pete Molinari

the first release since his great second album (A Virtual Landslide) last year, this EP was recorded in Nashville and features The Jordanaires on mighty fine backing vocals. 'A Satisfied Mind' is maybe the standout track, but the other three are fast catching up, 'Today, Tomorrow, and Forever', 'Guilty' and 'Tennessee Waltz'

Phone you're lawyer...

my brother in law reckons the opening track, 'gonna see my friend', from the new Pearl Jam album sounds just like his old band, Bowlrider (great band name, i'll give them that!).
I asked which song of theirs he meant, in particular:
"all of them" he said...