I’m a total sucker for epic (7+ minute) album closers. Actually, you might even say I’m a sucker for epic songs in general. Not, however, extended “stoner” jam sessions where every instrument under the sun gets its own two-minute solo. You know what I’m talking about.

There’s definitely a fine line: some songs need more time to evolve and expand while others just sound bloated and self-indulgent. Songs that fall into the former category include “Cortez the Killer” by Neil Young, “The Trapeze Swinger” by Iron & Wine, “Duk Koo Kim” by Sun Kil Moon, “Mogwai Fear Satan” by Mogwai (obviously), “Oh Comely” by Neutral Milk Hotel, “Desolation Row” by Bob Dylan, and, why not, “Stairway to Heaven” by Led Zeppelin. Just to name a few.

So how do you make an epic song even better? Put it at the end of an album. For example: My Morning Jacket’s “Strangulation!” and “Dondante,” Built to Spill’s “Broken Chairs,” and Gillian Welch’s “I Dream a Highway.”

You can add Robert Francis’ epic “All of My Trains” to this list. Like Deer Tick, Francis is an insanely-talented young singer-songwriter (albeit with slightly less buzz). Hailing from Los Angeles, he sounds nothing like his surroundings. Actually, he doesn’t even sound like he’s from this century.

His music exudes both innocence and angst, hope and despair. His debut One By One is an earnest, introspective, timeless folk record that will undoubtedly be cherished by those lucky enough to stumble upon it.

mp3: Robert Francis - All of My Trains

Robert Francis | official website | MySpace | iTunes | Insound | Amazon

Hell, you might even call this straight-up country music, except I fear that that label could repel potential listeners. After all, how many times have you heard or said, “I listen to pretty much anything except country music.”

Instead of going on one of my nonsensical rants about why the majority of country music sucks, I’m going to use this post to explain what I think good country music should sound like. Specifically, why I love each and every one of the tracks below. As always, enjoy in the order posted!

Without a doubt my favorite Josh Ritter song, I had an extremely difficult time writing his Artist Spotlight without mentioning this song. A rollicking country rocker, “Golden Age of Radio” starts the mix off on an upbeat note. “Have mercy on this boy who did it all by the book but still kinda has his doubts”

1. mp3: Josh Ritter - Golden Age of Radio

Another classic Josh Ritter song, “Me & Jiggs” even mentions sitting on the porch. When I listen to this song, I’m reminded of all the good times I’ve had with friends in the past. “Sitting on the porch singing Townes Van Zandt”

2. mp3: Josh Ritter - Me & Jiggs

This is the song that got me hooked on Drive-By Truckers. One of their more mellow tracks, “Danko/Manuel” serves as a nice transition to the slower songs coming up. It also serves as a great introduction to an amazing band. “I ain’t living like I should”

3. mp3: Drive-By Truckers - Danko/Manuel

Possibly the twangiest song on the mix, “Can’t Have It” only reinforces why I love The Everybodyfields: great melodies and vocal harmonies. “Can’t sleep if my eyes won’t let me”

4. mp3: The Everybodyfields - Can’t Have It

Similar in sound to the previous song, “Annabelle” features Gillian Welch’s gorgeous vocals as she laments about bad luck and hard times in the South. “Until we’ve all gone to Jesus we can only wonder why”

5. mp3: Gillian Welch - Annabelle

Another powerful Truckers song, “Sounds Better In the Song” deals with letting go of a love who has moved on. Acoustic and intimate, the song is a nice change of pace for the band. “A heart that wants to live and a soul that wants to give can’t just sit at home alone”

6. mp3: Drive-By Truckers - Sounds Better In the Song

NOTE: If you download only one track, make it this one! “I Can’t Sleep” is perfection. Words cannot describe the love I have for this song. The lyrics are about as personal and affecting as they get. “I can’t sleep ’cause I don’t dream of you anymore”

7. mp3: The Everybodyfields - I Can’t Sleep

The title of this track pretty much tell the story. If you aren’t sold on the Drive-By Truckers by now, there might not be any hope left. “Well I ain’t really falling asleep I’m fading to black”

8. mp3: Drive-By Truckers - Goddamn Lonely Love

A great story about a booze-smuggling son and his untimely encounter with the cops. Despite its subject matter, “Out On the Highway” is surprisingly emotional and affecting. “Out on the highway, son be careful, your mother sure loves you”

9. mp3: The Everybodyfields - Out On the Highway

Not originally part of the mix, this song brings everything full circle. Amazing how different the live version sounds, which is no doubt a tribute to Josh Ritter’s talent.

10. mp3: Josh Ritter - Golden Age of Radio [live]

Josh Ritter | official website | MySpace | eMusic | Insound | Amazon
Drive-By Truckers | official website | MySpace | eMusic | Insound | Amazon
The Everybodyfields | official website | MySpace | eMusic | Insound | Amazon
Gillian Welch | official website | MySpace | eMusic | Insound | Amazon

Are we in the midst of a singer-songwriter revival? Knee-jerk reaction tells me it’s not possible: a pervasive hatred of the genre has always existed among certain circles of critics. Never mind the fact that both singing and songwriting are inextricably connected to performing and recording, well, music.

So then why all the hatred? I think it has something to do with the format of the genre itself. To be considered a singer-songwriter you need: (1) a guitar and (2) a decent voice. Unfortunately, simplicity often (and erroneously) equates to stagnation. In circles of critics obsessed with finding the next genre-bending flavor of the month, genuinely good yet straight-forward music gets kicked to the curb. Honestly, when was the last time you listened to Clap Your Hands Say Yeah?

It’s interesting to note the large number of popular indie artists that could be labeled singer-songwriter but aren’t. Sufjan Stevens, Andrew Bird, The Mountain Goats, Cat Power. There’s almost a stigma associated with the genre.

Which brings me to my true problem. Because of this critical marginalization, I am only now starting to appreciate the music of Josh Ritter, the quintessential “singer-songwriter.” Hailing from Idaho, Ritter’s style reflects his mountainous surroundings. From hushed acoustic ballads to rollicking barnstormers, he embodies both dark, secluded ravines and vast, wind-swept praires.

The four tracks posted below sample several albums. “Wings” is a haunting lament; “Idaho” a gorgeous a capella hymn; “The Temptation of Adam” an apocalyptic love story; and “Still Beating” a bittersweet tribute to rejection (Happy VD everybody!).

If we are in the midst of a singer-songwriter revival, Josh Ritter is without a doubt the standard-bearer.

mp3: Josh Ritter - Wings
mp3: Josh Ritter - Idaho
mp3: Josh Ritter - The Temptation of Adam
mp3: Josh Ritter - Still Beating

Not included in the list above are the incredible “Girl In the War,” the epic “Thin Blue Flame,” and the gorgeous “Baby That’s Not All.” The reason for this is simple: I’ve already posted these songs on my site here and here.

Josh Ritter | official website | MySpace | eMusic | Insound | Amazon

Let me start by saying that I can’t believe I haven’t posted on these guys yet. I’ve been listening to them almost continuously for the past 3 months. I honestly don’t know what happened.

Horse Feathers is two-man band from Portland, Oregon. Their music reminds me a lot of my (brief) visit to the city last summer: serenely beautiful, yet overcast and dreary most of the time. These are rainy day songs through and through.

Intense string pieces and delicate acoustic melodies create an interesting juxtaposition. The resulting music sounds passionately resigned. Lyrics like “It’s in our blood to watch each day go by” reinforce this feeling (and also resonate with me at this particular moment in my life).

Their debut album Words Are Dead (Amazon, eMusic, Lucky Madison), released back in 2006, hasn’t gotten much attention, which I can’t quite understand. It’s a remarkably solid release; I always listen to the album in its entirety. If I had to pick a favorite song, I’d ask for permission to choose several, it’s that good.

If you enjoy the two tracks posted below, I highly recommend checking out the entire album (you can preview it at last.fm before purchasing!). You won’t be disappointed.

mp3: Horse Feathers - In Our Blood
mp3: Horse Feathers - Like Lavender

I’m afraid no matter how hard I try, I simply can’t do this post justice. It has nothing to do with the quality of the song, in fact, it could be any song.

The problem lies in the backlog of music I need (and want) to clear out. I have enough material for at least two Artist Spotlights and two Regional Mixes. And as much as I want to share my latest obsessions as soon as possible, I’m still working on a good way to organize it all.

This wealth of material stems from my seemingly insatiable appetite for country/folk/bluegrass music. It all began with the Magnolia Electric Co box set Sojourner, which largely inspired my “Midwest Melancholy” Regional Mix. Then I discovered Deer Tick, The Acorn, Gillian Welch, and The Everybodyfields in quick succession. All of these artists have been covered (to varying degree) in previous articles; several more have popped up since then and deserve equal attention.

Needless to say, until I clear all this out, I’m going to feel slightly distracted and unfocused. As a result, the next few posts will likely be short on text (and justice), as evidenced below.

This week’s download features a song called “Late Blues” by Ida. I immediately fell in love with its somber, late night feel. Beautifully understated and achingly delicate, “Late Blues” is a near-perfect combination of electric guitar, bass, and drums. Check out Heart Like a River if you like what you hear.

mp3: Ida - Late Blues