Major news on the One Chord to Another scale. We have a new Frontier Ruckus album Enter The Kingdom ready, willing and able to win your heart over. It came out on the 17th of February on Loose Music here in Europe and on their own Sitcom Universe label in the US.

The Posies and Teenage Fanclub are still my all-time favourite bands, but Frontier Ruckus is the band that I’ve loved the most during the last five years or so. Their whole back catalogue is superb and based on first few listening sessions this new Ken Coomer-produced album won’t be an exception. I’ve only listened to it a little bit so far and I’m still a little bit under the weather with the flu. Therefore instead of writing more pointless ramblings about how much I love them and this new album, I’m just going to put the headphones on and I’m going to let Matthew Milia and Anna Burch sing me to sleep in perfect harmony. This song Gerunds is my early favourite because a) it’s a magnificent song b) the lyrics mention two songs that mean the world to me, Matthew Sweet’s Sick Of Myself and Found Out About You by Gin Blossoms.

And here’s a music video for another gorgeous outtake Our Flowers are Still Burning from the 5th Frontier Ruckus LP.

Frontier Ruckus Website

I’ve been a little flu-ish this week. Nothing too bad. Haven’t even taken a day off from work, but there might not be much blog writings until I’ve shook this off. I just don’t have the energy for this after somehow battling through the work day. I’m sure I’m back up to speed in no time, because I have a lot of music and that is the finest home remedy for the flu symptoms. Lately my favorite medicine has been the forthcoming Sera Cahoone album From Where I Started. It has been a long while since her previous album Deer Creek Canyon, but this Seattle-based songwriter is still more than able to write amazing songs. This beautiful album will be released on the 24th of March and I’ll try to get back to this closer to the release date. Here’s the beautiful first outtake Up To Me from Sera Cahoone’s new album.

Sera Cahoone Website

Lincoln Barr will release his solo debut Trembling Frames on the 10th of February. He is the frontman of a great soul-tinged pop group Red Jacket Mine that I’ve covered here a few times over the years.

Trembling Frames is a wonderful album and I’m struggling to find the words that would do it justice. The album is deeply personal, vulnerable and brave and revolves around physically abusive childhood. There’s a bit of a contrast with the heavy issues of the songs and the beautiful, warmhearted jazzy vocal pop of the music. Sure there’s painful melancholy in the music too, but for the most parts I would probably be smiling, if I didn’t pay attention to the words. I find that the certain lightness and warmness makes this even more moving and it’s impossible to not get a little teary-eyed when listening to this courageous album. Trembling Frames is such a perfectly fitting title. Just like the songs hide heavy and sad things underneath the sweet sounds, there’s also no way of knowing what kind of personal battles each of us go through even if we put on a brave face. That’s one more reason why we should forget the judgement and hatred that is polluting the world. Let’s hug a friend or stranger and just love each other.

The album was recorded with a stellar cast of studio musicians including Calexico’s Joey Convertino on the drums. The music takes a lot of influence from the great American songbook. There’s also a lot of jazz vibes and Bacharach-ian structures. Trembling Frames might not be easy listening, but it’s not that uncomfortable either, because I feel like there’s hope and remedy in between the lines. It actually turns out to be very enjoyable, but I really don’t have the proper words to do justice to such a powerful and personal album. You’ll need to hear this spectacular and remarkable pop album yourself. Here are Desperate Tormentors and How To Escape from Lincoln Barr’s wonderful solo debut.

Lincoln Barr Website

Andrew Combs is getting ready to release his third full-length Canyons of My Mind on the 7th of April. It’s starting to look like this one is going to monumentally good. I was a big fan of the debut Worried Man. Had it on my top 10 for the year and all, but for some reason I struggled a bit with the second album All These Dreams. I liked it of course, but it never became a big deal to me. I probably should revisit with a new set of ears, because it’s totally possible that it’s a masterpiece that I just failed to understand at the time.

I’m extremely excited to hear the whole new album and see where it takes Andrew Combs. Worried Man had some gorgeous country songs. All These Dreams expanded his sound from country music and added a new set of influences like Harry Nilsson, Mickey Newbury, Glen Campbell. What I’ve heard so far sounds magnificent and it also feels like a logical continuation of his career and what he started on All These Dreams might reach a stunning goal on the new album. I’m hoping for a perfect combination of 70’s folk, contemporary pop, country music, a bit of soul and what not. No idea will that turn out to be the case, but after hearing four songs from the album I’m 100% sure it’s going to be a magnificent record. Silk Flowers and Hazel are especially stunning. The first single and video is Dirty Rain and it is also wonderful. Check it out below and then pre-order / reserve a copy of the album to your local record store. Canyons of My Mind is due out 7th of April on New West Records.

And here’s amazing Hazel from LR Baggs sessions. Dazzlingly beautiful. Check out LR Baggs Youtube channel for a few more live versions of songs from the forthcoming album.

Andrews Combs Website