Here’s some the best Americana and roots-type music releases for February 21st, 2025. Click the artist or album links to find out more. The artist’s names link to their websites and the CD title links go to either Amazon, iTunes, Bandcamp or the artist’s site for ordering or downloading. A + sign means although not a featured release, it’s a notable album that’s still worth checking out. Also, this page will be updated as I find out about other new releases so check back again.
Paul Thorn
Life Is Just A Vapor (Perpetual Obscurity Records)
It is no coincidence that Paul Thorn, the son of a Pentecostal preacher, wrote the title song of his new release, Life is Just a Vapor, inspired by a passage in scripture: “For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.” (James 4:14.) “I’ve heard that all my life,” Thorn explained. “Now that I’ve grown a little bit, it rings so true. That’s not to say, be sad; it’s to say, live life to the fullest and enjoy it. I don’t believe it’s the end when I die. Do I know what’s over there? No, but I don’t think it’s the end. I’m going to enjoy this one until the next one kicks in.” While Thorn’s storytelling is near genius, perhaps his most remarkable gift is his ability to find common ground with his listeners, meet us where we live, and yet open our minds to new ways of thinking about everyday things. (edited from American Blues Scene review)
Christina Vane
Hear My Call (independent)
Growing up in Italy, France, and England, Vane learned guitar and started writing songs as a teenager before becoming enamored with slide guitar one summer in London. After moving to America for university she found herself working at the famous McCabe’s guitar shop in LA, whereupon she expanded her repertoire into fingerpicking guitar and clawhammer banjo. You can hear all those influences in her newest album, Hear My Call. Life on the road figures heavily on a number of cuts, no doubt impacted by the six straight months she spent traveling across the country on her crowd-sourced first tour.For an album that stretches from sizzling blues to twangy bluegrass, the record is surprisingly cohesive. (edited from Twangville review)
Also new this week…
Jefferson Berry & the UAC – Born into a Blizzard (Urban Acoustic Music)
Cash & Skye – Just A Stranger (independent)
Patterson Hood – Exploding Trees and Airplane Screams (ATO Records) +
The Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band – Honeysuckle (Family Owned Records)
Sunny War – Armageddon in a Summer Dress (New West Records)
Max Wareham – Daggomit! (independent) +
Jim Wurster – Transcendental Inclinations (Y&T Records)
Dean Zucchero – Song For The Sinners (Pugacious Records)
Coming out soon … Sean McConnell, JD Clayton, Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band, The Devil Makes Three, Jason Isbell, Kinky Friedman, Seth Walker, Palmyra, Jason Boland & The Stragglers, A.J. Croce, Janiva Magness, Sam Outlaw, Ashleigh Flynn & The Riveters, Pete Mancini, Charley Crockett, The Wildwoods, Mason Via, Kassi Valazza and more!
