Culture
Top Tunes ’19: Cutler Station
< < Back toEvery year WOUB Culture spotlights what music-centric folks in the region have been listening to all year round right in time for the holidays in our annual Top Tunes feature.
Between the Country by Ian Noe (Kirby Evans)
I can’t recall how exactly I stumbled across Ian Noe’s Between the Country album this year, but I haven’t been able to get enough of it since. From the opener, “Irene (Ravin’ Bomb),” to the culmination, “Between the Country”, the entire album has this blue-collar forgotten town despair to it that really resonates with me.
Tap Dancin’ Daddy by Taylor Hollingsworth (John Evans)
I only recently discovered Taylor Hollingsworth’s solo efforts and my gorsh, what have I been sleeping on? The album kicks off with “Devil n Me” and continues with 34 minutes of bliss. The vocals are so incredibly unique and the songs are so well crafted, I wonder aloud: “What else is there to do in life than sit around listening to Taylor Hollingsworth?”
You Deserve Love Now by White Reaper (Jason Swiger)
White Reaper’s sound is familiar to anyone who grew up listening to rock ‘n’ roll in the ’80s and You Deserve Love Now is right in that wheelhouse. Amazing guitar riffs and lyrical content creating choruses so catchy you can’t help but sing along. Cap that with a high energy RnR live show, worthy of a looksee.
Kind Heart to Follow by Josh Nolan (Steve Lipscomb)
Described as Eastern Kentucky’s Bruce Springsteen, Josh Nolan created a sprawling, epic of an album that is worthy of the comparison.
Lagniappe Sessions by Skyway Man and Teddy & the Rough Riders (Kirby Evans)
This was a four-song EP that was released in early January of this year and, until recently, was not aware that three of the four songs are covers by Eliot Eidelman, Faces, and Big Kitty. These four songs have just stuck with me throughout the year and I keep finding myself coming back to them again and again. The songs, to me, illustrate this weird alien takeover meets Oregon Trail visual in my head and I can’t get enough.
Room 41 by Paul Cauthen (Jason Swiger)
I’m not sure where to put this album other than just awesome. Seems Paul pulls his sound from hints of 70s Rock and 80s R & B with the obvious country overtones in the vocals. My favorite song on the album “Cocaine Country Dancing,” is a song I can’t help but dance to.
Cheap Silver and Solid Country Gold by Mike and the Moonpies (Steve Lipscomb)
A throwback 90’s country album with quite possibly the best honky-tonk country song I’ve ever heard, “You Look Good in Neon.”
Father of the Bride by Vampire Weekend (John Evans)
This is one of Vampire Weekend’s finest efforts. The song writing and crafting is simply amazing. The production on the album is so good it makes me hate myself even more. The duet songs on this album feel like old country duets from yesteryear. Ezra Koenig and the band are a national treasure and should be regarded as such.
Country Squire by Tyler Childers (Group)
This one is a no brainer. We all love Tyler Childers and the follow up to Purgatory is unrivaled in today’s country music scene. Tasty melodies, delicious country hooks, and that savory voice have us #EatinBigTime.
Full Moon, Heavy Light by Ona (Group)
We were all interested in what the follow up to American Fiction would sound like. “MIND EXPLOSION” Ona really is a band and this album really is an album. Front to back, this album is heavy on hot takes. We could list a million reasons why we love Ona, but let’s save you a bunch of reading: just go watch the band and pick up a vinyl.
Spotify Playlist link
Now That’s What I Call Cutler Station’s Top Ten Albums Vol. 2019