Max Gomez "Run From You"

Wow, it feels like a century since I have written! The last few months have been a swirling eddy of time, space and motion; transporting me into a new phase of my life. Back home in New York, who woulda thunk it? And along the way there were trucks, cars buses, and an endless cavalcade of boxes (there are still boxes), a hurricane and a Nor’ Easter, and of course the uphill curve of learning the ropes in a new position. I can’t believe it has been two months since I left Texas, but that is just how fast things have felt. I used to take a phrase and twist it some to use it as a sign-off for the radio, “If you get right, work,” from the old saw “If you get work, write.” In any case, here I am!

So the first round of boxes are almost all unpacked and put away.  As I look out on the river out from my new apartment, it feels like I am finally settling in. It is good that it is just in time for the holiday. Come the new year, a whole new crop of CDs will be released, among them Max Gomez’s New West debut Rule The World. He is an amazing songwriter, who has recently toured with John Hiatt and Patty Griffin. As is sometimes their way, the record label has released a tune from the forthcoming album to radio, ahead of the date it will be on the street in January. We caught up with Max during the Music Fog Spring Marathon at Threadgill’s back in March in Austin, TX. Here is the Music Fog recording of the lead track, “Run From You.”

-Jessie Scott

Cody Canada & The Departed "Adventus"

We welcome the return of Josh Crutchmer (reach him on Twitter @jcrutchmer) as guest columnist. As today, the first album of original material hits the street from Cody Canada and The Departed. The album is called Adventus, and it rocks hard. Our video is from March during SXSW 2012, a tune so new at the time that the working title is not ultimately what the song came to be called. Cody told us "Your Brother And You" but on the new album you will find it as "250,000 Things." From the Fog Bank, here is the Music Fog version, and here is Josh with an "anti-review" of the album.

-Jessie Scott

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By Josh Crutchmer

There are exactly eight possible ways I could write a review of Adventus, the second album — and first original work — released by The Departed. 

Look it up in the online encyclopedia: Turns out, only eight types of review exist in all of music. There are good ones: “It’s groundbreaking,” “This album rocks.” There are bad ones: The truly angry, “Don’t waste your money,” or the less-biting “Not what you’d expect from this band.” Don’t forget the two that try to out-artist the artist: “Departed vocalist Cody Canada has something to say, and he hopes you listen,” or “Cody Canada had no idea what to expect when he walked into the studio.”

My personal favorite two are the ones that just string words along in a row and hope they make sense: “This album is a bit rough around the edges but with a soulful touch.” and “It’s hard to pin this music down, but I tell you what, it’s definitely not Cross Canadian Ragweed.”

After that, you’re out of review possibilities. Turn the page and read the News of the Strange feature or dollar movie listings. 

There’s nothing wrong with this, it should be said. 99-plus percent of all albums in existence can be molded into one of those reviews. They’re essential to both the music business and the human need to put art into perspective.

Thus, in the midst of a post-show discussion with Departed members and well-wishing fans in Des Moines last month, I said out loud (for some reason) that I didn’t think I could review Adventus, and that I didn’t think I could take any review I saw seriously.

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Lake Street Dive "Got Me Fooled"

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From here on my perch in New Jersey, the destruction that Sandy left behind is surreal. We still have no power at the house, so I sleep with many layers on, plus with my hooded jacket. I am thankful that it wasn't worse in my neighborhood. Some fared better, and tragically, some lost everything. I do have power at work, so it is possible to get some things done. It is remarkable how important having a charge for your phone is. The power strip has become king. Last night I waited on a gas line for an hour, only to have them run out before I got there. I can't wait til I can do the laundry again!

So I have the blues, along with all the other folks in the huge swath that Sandy cut. As life slowly returns to normal, I figured it would be soothing to hear a bluesy number today from Lake Street Dive doing the ultimate cold shoulder tune, “Got Me Fooled.” The band entered the studio mid-month in Maine to record their next album. They are as off the grid as you can get while they explore the creative process, and we can’t wait to hear what they lay down. We bring you a track from their self-titled album, done up Music Fog style from our Fall Marathon last year during Americana Fest in Nashville at Marathon Recorders.

Jessie Scott