Down

Chart-topping but challenging alt-metal band that incorporates programmed beats and subtle Eastern European influences.
Like many late-'90s metal bands, System of a Down struck a balance between '80s underground thrash metal and metallic early-'90s alternative rockers like Jane's Addiction. Their dark, neo-gothic alternative metal earned a cult following in the wake of the popularity of such like-minded bands as Korn and the Deftones. Vocalist Serj Tankian, guitarist Daron Malakian, bassist Shavo Odadjian, and drummer John Dolmayan formed System of a Down in Southern California in the mid-'90s. They quickly earned a strong following in Los Angeles, largely based on strong word of mouth. A three-song demo began circulating through metal collectors, and their fan base soon spread throughout not only America, but Europe and New Zealand…

When we talk about those artists who represent the transition between blues/r&b and soul it is usually Ray Charles, James Brown and Sam Cooke who come to the fore. The subject of this 2CD collection, Nappy Brown is not usually in the mix but after you have listened to this collection of his singles released between 1954 and 1962 you will certainly be wondering why.

Lucinda Williams is a daughter of the American South, born in Louisiana, who is proud of her heritage while also understanding the contradictions and the baggage that come with that. Tom Petty was a native Floridian who also loved the South without harboring illusions about it, and so it makes sense that Williams would be a Petty fan, and not simply as one gifted songwriter respecting another. As part of her Lu’s Jukebox series, designed to help independent music venues shut down during the COVID-19 pandemic, Williams has cut a set of her favorite Tom Petty tunes, and Runnin’ Down a Dream: A Tribute to Tom Petty is long on songs about Southern life, including “Gainesville,” “Down South,” “Rebels,” “Southern Accents,” and “Louisiana Rain.”

Lie Down in the Light stands as a delightfully bright, uplifting, and uncharacteristically serene installment in the sprawling discography of American indie-folk auteur Will Oldham, performing under his celebrated Bonnie 'Prince' Billy moniker. Released in 2008, the album marks a stark thematic shift from the bleak, gothic folk traditions of his early Palace days toward a warm, almost sunny outlook. Masterfully shaped by producer Mark Nevers in Nashville, the record is rich with dynamic acoustic guitars, vibrant vocal harmonies, and clever sonic accents—including percussive taps, subtle pedal steel, and a whimsical clarinet arrangement that adds a silent-movie charm to For Every Field There's a Mole. Backed by the mournful yet elegant duet vocals of Ashley Webber, Oldham delivers one of his most expressive, tuneful, and witty vocal performances to date. Moving seamlessly from the breezy optimism of Easy Does It to the introspective folk hooks of the title track and a stunning closing cover of Shannon Stephens' I'll Be Glad, this album offers a beautifully crafted, sophisticated breath of fresh air that highlights the ever-searching soul of an indie icon.