Let’s start off with this statement: I love the She and Him album. It got boatloads of hype, lived up to it and has been one of my favorites this year. But couldn’t the hype machine save just one spoonful for this wonderful band out of Johnson City, TN? The Everybodyfields are every bit as worthy and their album Nothing Is Okay is better than She and Him’s Volume One.

This is the third release for The Everybodyfields and the first on Ramseur Records, home to The Avett Brothers. The Everybodyfields are fronted by Sam Quinn & Jill Andrews and completed by Josh Oliver and Tom Pryor, who provide just the right amount of pedal steel, guitar and keys to accompany these fantastic vocalists. Typically I am not one to judge a band on appearances, but Ms. Andrews is drop-dead gorgeous, every bit equal to her beautiful voice, and Quinn sports a wondrous set of Mutton Chops that would make any red-blooded man envious. I don’t know which makes me more excited.

Quinn and Andrews dated during their first release. They broke up soon thereafter, but fought to keep the band together. According to other press, the breakup wasn’t addressed at all on their second release, but they hit it head on with Nothing Is Okay. “I think we are just getting it all out on this one,” Andrews said of this album. “It’s been almost a healing sort of thing.”

Nothing Is Okay is truly one of the most beautiful albums you’ll ever hear. While the material might be sad and melancholy in nature, the quartet makes the hurt feel therapeutic. The lovely interplay between Andrews and Quinn is truly a joy to let wash over you. As with their label-mates, its the vocal interplays and harmonies that create something special. Splt ‘em apart and I think you’re left with two decent performers, but The Everybodyfields are a shining example of the old saying, “The whole is greater than the sum of its parts.” They’re going to be at Schubas in Chicago this Sunday.

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The Everybodyfields - Aeroplane

The Everybodyfields - Everything is Okay

The Everybodyfields - Don’t Turn Around

The Everybodyfields - Lonely Anywhere

The Everybodyfields - Leaving Today

If you’re like me, sometimes you love music that makes you feel the torment of the songwriter or character. In the past, I’ve been drawn to acts such as Songs: Ohia, Magnolia Electric Co., O’Death, and Bean Pickers Union. Whether it be singing about their own anguish or painting a scene where others are the unlucky ones, I love bands that pour every ounce of soul into their performances.

I have another one to throw out at ya - The Broken Letters. This isn’t a whiskey soaked alt-country act. This is a haunting collection of tunes that sticks with you and makes you feel every damn note and utterance along the way. The Broken Letters are fronted by David Hickox who, in addition to being the primary songwriter, handles the guitar and vocals. He is joined by long-time friend Brad Davis who handles the drums and a host of other instruments.

Hickox and Davis met as youngsters as they were indoctrinated into the Southern Baptist church. And one has to believe that their background in Church has possibly led to their dark gothic approach to their music.

Sing the Burning Alphabet is a beautifully haunting album that should be mandatory for any fan of Magnolia Electric Co. and Songs: Ohia, especially if Axxess & Ace is one of your favorite Jason Molina efforts. You’ll just about fall over when listening to this aching 35 minute debut.

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The Broken Letters - Avian Blues

The Broken Letters - Another Morning

The Broken Letters - Licht

From their previous album, I:

The Broken Letters - Mangled Ramblers Song

The Broken Letters - Old Miner

Holy crap. These guys are better than I could have even imagined. Oz did a post on the Felice Brothers’ first album, Tonight at the Arizona, back in October. I listened to the free track he posted, “Ballad of Lou the Welterweight,” and was instantly intrigued. Then, back in March, The Felice Brothers released their self-titled full-length and I was completely blown away. It’s my favorite album of the year so far. I know I said the same thing about Pete Molinari a couple weeks ago, but this is better.

Oz had mentioned in his post that Tonight at the Arizona didn’t have a standout track. Quite the contrary on the new album – there are plenty. I’ve had it but a couple weeks and here are my current Play Counts according to iTunes:

Love Me Tenderly – 43
Greatest Show On Earth – 38
Frankie’s Gun – 34
Wonderful Life – 25

As soon as I listened to the opening verse of “Love Me Tenderly,” I was hooked on the lyrics: “My baby told me, ‘Darlin, if you can’t get a pardon, better get a parole.’” Lead singer Ian Felice sings and writes lyrics with a gun-waving, sneering swagger. He continues “I left my blue-eyed lady and went with Tony Mercedes to the gambling ring. I lost my diamond watch, but in the parking lot I took it back again.” This is great American music the way it was meant to be played – slicked back, brash, and soaked in scotch.

The accompanying music fits perfectly – old-time piano is the primary driver, with the occasional organ, a good dose of horns, and subtle guitar work all laid over a bed of percussion. The first tickle of the ivories gives you that old-time piano parlor feeling, even though neither of us have ever been in one.

It’s the type of music that makes you want to round up your buddies, hit the local watering hole, and chase some good old-fashioned skirt. Think Trent and Sue at the Dresden in Swingers crossed with a badass Emilio Estevez in Young Guns. That was weird. Anyway, I can’t recommend this album highly enough. I think you’ll like what you hear below.

The Felice Brothers - Frankie’s Gun

The Felice Brothers - Wonderful Life

You can also find some of our live footage of The Felice Brothers at SXSW 2008.