SithSpits

I've never seen a more wretched hive of scum and villainy.

[sithspits]

Iron & Wine

Beast Epic (2017)

Samuel "Sam" Ervin Beam better known as Iron & Wine has been contributing to music since 2002 and I believe will go down as a significant contributor to singer-songwriters.  Beast Epic continues his streak of creating a scene of fireside music perfect for just letting your thoughts drift into nature itself.  “Thomas County Law” and “Call It Dreaming” are two significant triumphs of this album.  Both of these songs are amazing examples of small town life that can be felt in even the most bustling cities.  As a painter changes a canvas to a scene of their choice so does Sam in this album to your mind’s eye.  I would highly recommend this album to anyone who loves music as an escape from current troubles.

Joe Adamik – autoharp, clarinet, drums, kalimba, marimba, percussion

Sam Beam – vocals, guitars, producer

Jim Becker – banjo, guitar, mandolin, violin

Rob Burger – autoharp, clavinet, hammond, mellotron, organ, piano, synthesizer, vibraphone, violin, wurlitzer

Teddy Rankin Parker – cello

Sebastian Steinberg – bass

Brian Wilkie – pedal steel

1."Claim Your Ghost" 2:24 2."Thomas County Law" 3:24 3."Bitter Truth" 3:02 4."Song in Stone" 3:21 5."Summer Clouds" 3:33 6."Call It Dreaming" 3:51 7."About a Bruise" 3:11 8."Last Night" 2:55 9."Right for Sky" 3:59 10."The Truest Stars We Know" 2:52 11."Our Light Miles" 3:11

[sithspits]

Knocked Loose 

A DIFFERENT SHADE OF BLUE (2019)

When listening to this album it is hard not to bang your head.  If that doesn’t make you want to listen to it i don’t know what will.  This 5 piece band has created an album that makes you want to 2-step no matter what your age.  From the explosive and grungy breakdowns to the fast and unrelenting riffs between them this album excels in expressing malice in it’s pure form.  From the opening track “Belleville” the tone is set that you are in for a monstrous ride.  The breakdown in “In the Walls” hits like a brick to the head (in a good way).  Every song in this album has a point in it which absolutely demands movement in some form.  A triumph in the genre surely inspiring others in the future. 

Cole Crutchfield – rhythm guitar, backing vocals

Bryan Garris – lead vocals

Isaac Hale – lead guitar, backing vocals

Kevin Otten – bass

Kevin Kaine – drums

1."Belleville" 3:16 2."Trapped in the Grasp of a Memory" 3:53 3."A Serpent's Touch" (featuring Emma Boster) 3:02 4."By the Grave" 3:05 5."In the Walls" 3:02 6."Guided by the Moon" 3:48 7."Mistakes like Fractures" 3:39 8."Forget Your Name" (featuring Keith Buckley) 2:42 9."Road 23" 2:12 10."...And Still I Wonder South" 3:42 11."Denied by Fate" 2:23 12."Misguided Son" 3:15