Ryan Adams & The Cardinals - "Follow The Lights" EP (2007)

I was a little miffed to hear Ryan Adams had injured his hand again right before the start of his Summer 2007 tour to promote Easy Tiger. While this time it was the result of a skateboarding accident and not falling off stage during a concert, I wondered what the shows would be like with Ryan unable to play guitar and only sing. With band and audience all seated and hushed, Ryan intently focused on his vocals creating pristine and sharp performances with emotion wrapped around each note. Coupled with his new found sobriety and ever maturing songwriting, Ryan and the Cardinals turned out one of my favorite tours they've done to date. He began playing guitar again mid way through the tour and when it ended they thankfully went into the studio to record this EP. The seven tracks capture the band during a peak in their cohesion and snapshots one of the many variations of Ryan's live performances. -- Chris Baginski

1. "Follow the Lights" (3:03)
2. "My Love for You Is Real" (4:52)
3. "Blue Hotel" (5:11)
4. "Down in a Hole" (4:37)
5. "This Is It" (3:32)
6. "If I Am a Stranger" (4:44)
7. "Dear John" (5:12)

Blue Sky Blues - BBC4 Sessions

Justin Townes Earle - "Yuma" EP (2007)

Justin Townes Earle carries the names of two big figures in country-folk music. His middle name comes from Townes Van Zandt who never found mainstream success but influenced the likes of Neil Young, Willie Nelson, Lyle Lovett, and Justin's father, Steve Earle. Here on Justin's debut he shows those names run deep and that he too can craft a powerful story in his own songs. Recorded by himself so he'd have something to sell on the road, the Yuma EP bottles up Justin on guitar, a sprinkling of mandolin and harmonica, a go with the wind grin, and a great sign of things to come. -- Chris Baginski

1. "The Ghost of Virginia" (3:39)
2. "You Can't Leave" (3:34)
3. "Yuma" (3:05)
4. "I Don't Care" (1:54)
5. "Let The Waters Rise" (2:43)
6. "A Desolate Angels Blues" (4:03)

see Justin live on Tour

Grooveshark Stream

She & Him - "Volume One" (2007)

In between the Christmas laughs of Elf, everyone took notice of Zooey Deschanel's lovely Ella Fitzgerarld take on Baby It's Cold Outside. M Ward took notice too and after hearing she had written many of her own songs, but had done nothing with them, She & Him were formed. Her selection of golden era American covers and her adorable personality help vault her past the line of celebrity-turned-musician acts laughed off review pages, but her sweet and genuine vocals is what makes this album a worthy addition. -- Chris Baginski

1. "Sentimental Heart" 2:36
2. "Why Do You Let Me Stay Here?" 2:31
3. "This Is Not a Test" 3:31
4. "Change Is Hard" 3:03
5. "I Thought I Saw Your Face Today" 2:50
6. "Take It Back" 2:37
7. "I Was Made for You" 2:31
8. "You Really Got a Hold on Me" 3:59
9. "Black Hole" 2:12 *
10. "Got Me" 2:46
11. "I Should Have Known Better" 3:39
12. "Sweet Darlin'" 2:41
13. "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot" 1:37

Zooey Interviews Brian Wilson