Filed under: Have Gun Will Travel

THE AMERICANA ROCK MIX TOP 24 OF 2011

Yeah, yeah. It’s that time of year again. Everyone is doing it, and so am I. My top albums of 2011.

This was a really tough list to gather. 2011 was crammed with amazing music, so that just made the decision making that much harder.

34 people e-mailed and messaged me with suggestions of what my final top number should be this year. Suggestions ranged from “Top 10″ to “Top 53″! That wasn’t going to happen anyway. But the most common number suggested was “Top 24″.

I didn’t implement any rules into this years list. As that was too much of a pain last year. So, it all comes down to what I was personally listening to the most this year.

Hopefully you’ll find an album or two on here that aren’t on anyone else’s lists.

This list is in no particular order.

- Yes And Also Yes by Mike Doughty

- Dark And Bloody GroundFifth On The Floor

- I’m DeadMicah Schnabel (NOTE: Even though the physical album doesn’t get released until 2012, the pre-order instant download makes it a 2011 contender)

- Mergers & AcquistionsHave Gun, Will Travel

- Grand Theatre Vol. 2Old 97′s

- Long Live All Of UsGlossary

- Low DownThe Mallett Brothers Band

- Go-Go BootsDrive-By Truckers

- The King Is DeadThe Decemberists

- Moving OnLauderdale

- Here We RestJason Isbell & The 400 Unit

- Gravel & WineGin Wigmore

- Indestructible MachineLydia Loveless

- ManifestoMatt Woods

- England Keep My BonesFrank Turner

- Death Of A DecadeHa Ha Tonka

- Knife ManAndrew Jackson Jihad

- American StrangerThe Only Sons

- Kiss Each Other CleanIron & Wine

- 37Roger Bryan & The Orphans

- The Bluebird SessionsMemphis Train Union

- Number SevenWill Hoge

- A New Home In The Old WorldAustin Lucas

- Yours Truly16 Horsepower

I don’t have any explanations for my choices to type out to you. I will give my opinions when the show returns on January 5th with episode 126.

Americana Rock Mix Review - "Mergers And Acquisitions" by Have Gun, Will Travel

There isn't much that I can say here that I haven't already said on my show. But, to put it in more of a substantial note, here are my thoughts on this album.

It's hard to determine what it is that makes HGWT sound so unique. With the influx of Alt. Country, Americana, Folk bands out there, it becomes that much harder to develop a sound that will cut through the noise. Whatever that sound may be, it helped them hit a strong stride with their last album "Postcards From The Friendly City".  Anyone who enjoys great music has already heard that album, and it's hard to deny that mainstream radio did themselves a disservice by not recognizing how underrated that album is.

But when a band has an album that is that enjoyable, and is such a leap from the previous album ("Casting Shadows Tall As Giants") there comes a little bit of dread when a new album is on the horizon. It raises questions like "How will this hold up?" "Was the last album just a lucky accident?", etc.

I can definitely say that the band did not lose their stride. While "Mergers And Acquisitions" is not necessarily better than "Postcards", it is by NO means any less of the high standard set by that album.

In fact, if anything, this album proves that HGWT are aware of what their sound is, and are ready to play around with it. "Mergers" runs a gamut of situations and themes that have been in Matt Burke's head that past couple of years. Between the exercises in storytelling like "Katharine, Don't Fall The Wagon" and "Crooked Chords" and the political statements of "To The Victor Goes The Spoils" and "Streets Of New England" to the tales of touring like "Thirteen Miles To Empty" and "Time Machine", this strong bevy of songs on "Mergers And Acquisitions" proves that the band is expanding on what we have come to know and love about their music.

A recent interview with HGWT frontman, Matt Burke, can shed some insight on "Mergers And Acquisitions" and can be found HERE.

Here is their latest music video for "Thirteen Miles To Empty" featuring Micah Schnabel of Two Cow Garage and Devon Stuart of The Snakehealers

Thirteen Miles to Empty from Brad Fleming on Vimeo.

For more info on Have Gun Will Travel, check out:

www.HGWTMusic.com

www.Facebook.com/HGWTMusic

Americana Rock Mix: Episode 119 - Tales Of Mergers And Acquisitions

In this episode, I'm trying to get your votes for the Podcast Awards 2011.

But more importantly, Matt Burke comes back into the studio to talk about Have Gun, Will Travel's recent tour. The ups and downs of their longest cross country adventure, and the stories behind their most recent album. Or course all of this is WHILE we listen to the album.

Download this episode HERE

Music in this episode:

All songs are featured on the new album by Have Gun, Will Travel entitled Mergers & Acquisitions

- Dream No More
- To The Victor Go The Spoils
- Time Machine
- Freightliner
- Disappearing Kind
- Thirteen Miles To Empty
- By The Flicker Of The Flame
- Keep It In Your Heart
- Katharine, Don't Fall Off The Wagon
- Song Of Seven Sisters
- Crooked Chords
- Streets Of New England

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E-Mail: Von@AmericanaRoots.com

Voice Mail: 813-458-5270

Listen twice a week! 10AM Wednesdays and 5PM Sundays on the Avalon channel on LifeJive Radio at LifeJive.com

Website: www.AmericanaRockMix.com
Skype: ARockMix
Twitter:www.Twitter.com/ARockMix

Americana Rock Mix: Episode 113 - Have Gun, Will Travel

In this episode I interview Matt Burke of Have Gun, Will Travel. We go over the timeline of the band, and Matt performs a few songs live in studio.

Download the episode HERE

Music in this episode:

Songs performed by Matt Burke in the Nerd Room Studio:

- Now I Lay Me Down

- Come, All Ye Sinners

- Salad Days

- The Disappearing Kind


All music performed by Have Gun, Will Travel:

- Kerosene and Candlelight AND Sons and Daughters of the Gilded Age AND Land of the Living
(from Postcards from the Friendly City)

- The River Runs Cold AND Freightliner (Or) This Vessel Carries The Remains
(from 7 Song EP)

- When We Were Kings AND It's Not the Heat, It's the Humanity
(from Casting Shadows Tall As Giants)

- Time Machine
(from Tales Of Highways & Low Roads)

www.HGWTMusic.com

NOW BUY MERCHANDISE. Shirts, stickers, mugs, etc. CHECK IT OUT HERE!

E-Mail: Von@AmericanaRoots.com

Voice Mail: 813-458-5270

Listen twice a week! 10AM Wednesdays and 5PM Sundays on the Eclectic Heaven channel on LifeJive Radio at LifeJive.com

Website: www.AmericanaRockMix.com
Skype: ARockMix
Twitter: www.Twitter.com/ARockMix

Americana Rock Mix: Lo-Fi Videocast - Matt Burke and Rebekah Pulley

This is the third episode of Volume 2 of The Americana Rock Mix: Lo-Fi Videocast. In this episode we'll see a performance by Matt Burke and Rebekah Pulley w/Rob Pastore.

Lo-Fi Videocast Vol. 2 #3 - Matt Burke and Rebekah Pulley from Von Cloedt on Vimeo.

 

Download the episode HERE

See more by these artists at:

www.HGWTMusic.com

www.RebekahPulley.com

THE AMERICANA ROCK MIX IS NOW ON FACEBOOK!

NOW BUY MERCHANDISE. Shirts, stickers, mugs, etc. CHECK IT OUT HERE!

E-Mail: Von@AmericanaRoots.com

Voice Mail: 813-458-5270

Listen twice a week! 10AM Wednesdays and 5PM Sundays on the Eclectic Heaven channel on LifeJive Radio at LifeJive.com

Website: www.AmericanaRockMix.com
Blogsite: www.AmericanaRoots.com
Twitter: www.Twitter.com/ARockMix

Have Gun, Will Travel - "Salad Days" Music Video

This is the official music video for "Salad Days" from the most recent effort from Have Gun, Will Travel called "Postcards From The Friendly City". A bare bones version of this song was featured on the most recent Americana Rock Mix: Lo-Fi Video (found HERE), which featured The Burke Brothers (of HGWT).  This is a personal favorite for me and this song evokes an unusual emotion response from me. So, it holds a special place in this fanboy's heart. Enjoy. [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X56ld7oePGs[/youtube] For more info, go to www.Myspace.com/HGWT

The Americana Rock Mix: Lo-Fi Videocast - The Burke Bros. (Have Gun, Will Travel) and Will Quinlan & The Diviners

This is the first episode of Volume 2 of The Americana Rock Mix: Lo-Fi Videocast. In this episode we'll see some performances by The Burke Bros (of Have Gun, Will Travel) and Will Quinlan and The Diviners.

To watch the episode, go HERE

Download the video HERE

See more by these artists at:

Have Gun, Will Travel - www.Myspace.com/HGWT

Will Quinlan - www.Myspace.com/WillQuinlan

THE AMERICANA ROCK MIX IS NOW ON FACEBOOK!

NOW BUY MERCHANDISE. Shirts, stickers, mugs, etc. CHECK IT OUT HERE!

E-Mail: Von@AmericanaRoots.com

Voice Mail: 314-479-3051

Listen twice a week! 10AM Wednesdays and 5PM Sundays on the Eclectic Heaven channel on LifeJive Radio at LifeJive.com

Website: www.AmericanaRockMix.com

Twitter: www.Twitter.com/ARockMix

Americana Rock Mix: Episode 58 - Generosity Abound

It's that merry holiday season, so I'm giving away FREE CD's. You want in? Take a listen and find out how. It's REALLY easy. Music in this episode: - Intro Song by Herbert Farmer www.Myspace.com/HerbertFarmer - Burn Down With Willie by Monty Branham (from Don't Be Mad Cuz I'm Late) www.Myspace.com/MontyBrahnam - Beating The Blues AND Hearts Will Break by Memphis Train Union (from Out On The Road) www.Myspace.com/MemphisTrainUnion - Chicken In The Pan AND Tupelo Rd. by The Council Of Smokers And Drinkers (from Grizzled) www.TheCouncil.serifweb.com - Sons And Daughters Of The Gilded Age AND Kerosene and Candlelight by Have Gun Will Travel (from Postcards From The Friendly City) www.Myspace.com/HGWT - I'm Lost (But I'm Makin' Record Time) AND English Garden by The Front Porch Country Band (from Here We Go Again) www.FrontPorchCountryBand.com - Down AND Horse To Water by Fisheye (from A Totally Different Disaster) www.FisheyeAtlanta.com - Don't Fall In Love With A Lonely Girl AND It's Gonna Come Back To You by Freedy Johnston (from Rain On The City) www.FreedyJohnston.com - Bullet AND Hermaphroditos by Frank Black And The Catholics (from Dog In The Sand) www.FrankBlack.net - Tough Job AND Good Night To Boogie by Great American Taxi (from Reckless Habits) www.GreatAmericanTaxi.com Dreams by Brandi Carlile (from Give Up The Ghost) www.BrandiCarlile.com THE AMERICANA ROCK MIX IS NOW ON FACEBOOK! This episode is sponsored by Eastbay.com and Footlocker.com. Use these promo codes while checking out to utilize them: Code #1: AFARMX15 – 15% OFF ANY ORDER AT WWW.EASTBAY.COM Code#2: AFARMX20 – 20% OFF ANY ORDER OF $75 OR MORE AT WWW.EASTBAY.COM Code #3: AFARMXFL – 15% OFF OF ANY ORDER AT WWW.FOOTLOCKER.COM NOW BUY MERCHANDISE. Shirts, stickers, mugs, etc. CHECK IT OUT HERE! E-Mail: Von@AmericanaRoots.com Voice Mail: 314-479-3051 Blogsite: www.AmericanaRockMix.com Twitter: www.Twitter.com/ARockMix
Posterous theme by Cory Watilo