Holiday music is a tough sell for me. The cheese flows freely like mulled wine this time of year. Not today, though. John Gilliat's seasonal album Winter Strings is a wonderful alternative to the uber-commercial mediocrity that fills the airwaves every December. Even more than that, his exceptional guitar playing and warmhearted renditions of classic Christmas songs would be welcome all year round...MORE
Country music has a way of sounding sad and fun at the same time. Goodbye Picasso recently relocated from Nashville to Brooklyn and they brought that country mix of moods with them. Their full-length debut The Book Of Aylene blends styles as well as moods: folk music, country, rock, blues, classical, and a bit of rock opera commingle in a well-seasoned, alt-country stew...MORE
