Recommended Listing - Centro-matic - Candidate Waltz

Super prolific songwriter Will Johnson and Centro-matic have cranked out yet another hook laden rock album, Candidate Waltz, to be released tomorrow.

"On Candidate Waltz, the riffage, the tattered vocals and the taut melodies suck you into that happy place . . ."; 8.0 out of 10.0 - Paste Magazine


"Will Johnson, Scott Danbom (keyboards, violin, harmony vocals), Matt Pence (drums), and Mark Hedman (bass and guitars) have made a terrific rock record that's catchy, crunchy and raucous." - When you Motor Away




DC area folks can catch them at the front end of their summer tour supporting the album this Sunday, June 26 at DC9. Other tour dates are listed at the band's site.

Also, if you aren't already familiar with Centro-Matic they've put together a nice little compilation of material from 1996-2011.

1996-2011 by Centro-matic

For most newcomers I'd personally recommend 2003's Love you Just the Same or 2006's Fort Recovery (follow the links for a listen), although it's hard to go wrong with Centro-Matic, its more atmospheric folky/country sister project South San Gabriel, or Will Johnson's solo albums.

Centro-matic/South San Gabriel/Will Johson discography

Recommended Listening - Jason Isbell & the 400 unit - Here we Rest

Belated rec since it was released in April but former 'trucker' Jason Isbell's new one (third 'solo' album, 2nd with the 400 unit) 'here we rest' has something to appeal to just about everyone, from bluesy, southern soul inspired tracks, to melancholy ballads, to some very nice sing along anthemic rockers. It's been on heavy rotation here. Also, saw him at the rock n roll hotel recently and the live show doesn't disappoint.

Here's what some other people think of it (mp3s on these sites as well)

"We’ve already come up on a bunch of great albums in 2011, but I promise you that this one is one of the best I’ve EVER heard . . . It’s one that you should love. You should buy it on vinyl. You should send it to your parents, they’ll feel hip and ask you where you got it, just like the pot you sometimes bring home. Maybe that’s just a California thing." frontporchmusings.com

"A cliff notes version goes like this: Jason Isbell has released a new album. It’s got 11 tracks that crush. The more I listen to it, the more I like it. The more I like it, the more I think it could on top of the year’s end version of the Essential Listening list" ninebullets.net


Isbell's Official Site