Bill Madison – Sunday Mornin’ Hayride [reissue 1973] [2009]

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A little-known gem out of New Hampshire, this terrific acid cowboy in the wild west outlaw private pressing simply reeks of a rural America that probably doesn’t exist anymore, and I imagine it wasn’t much left of it back in the early 70s either, but Bill Madison delivers such a solid songbook that you’ll be excused if you find yourself believing you’ve been taken on a ride in a time machine – only the captain here’s a bonafide head & wouldn’t drop you off in the 19th century without first stopping at the local freak club for a pocketful of smoke. How about this to get you in the mood:

Ryan McMahon – Weeks, Months, Years [2008]

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.. Nearly two years after releasing the impressive “Weeks, Months, Years,” Ryan McMahon is in the midst of planning a very busy 2010.

His only desire, as it has always been, is to communicate through music; a talent, he has proven to all that have seen his performance, to be very good at. The speaking of his experiences through story telling by blending all of his influences; Warren Zevon, Pearl Jam, Tom Waits, and Bruce Springsteen all make cameos in Ryan’s unique blend of roots rock.

Those Poor Bastards – Gospel Haunted [2010]

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“Those Poor Bastards Are the best Gothic Country I have heard yet to this day. The depressing gloomy vocals coming out of this drifter named Lonesome Wyatt has hints of Marilyn Manson to Nick Cave, Throwrag and maybe even a hint of a demented Adam Ant with a shot of a Pilled Up Johnny Cash… And the Minister is backing up Lonesome Wyatt with a style that is a cross between erie strung out folk music with a creepy blend of The Nightmare Before Christmas!!!!!!!!!” -Hank Williams III

Spike Flynn – It’s Allright [2010]

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Intelligent songwriting that cuts to the heart of life with a depth of existential and spiritual awareness only available to a mature songster who has fully lived the journey that he describes. His poetic story telling lyrics are in a class of their own.

Lynn Miles – Fall For Beauty [2010]

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It seems an almost perversely guilty pleasure to fall for a roots/country singer in the midst of the multicultural bustle of Toronto. But Lynn Miles’ eighth studio album, brimming with 10 of her own creations, is seductive for the very reason that this genre of music exists in the first place: sheer emotional honesty, unbridled by pretension or irony. It doesn’t matter if we love opera or hip hop; all we want is to move forward in our lives, come what may.

But, as Miles sings in on the title track, “Something Beautiful,” “there is no clean getaway.” The songs’ style ranges from old-country waltz to light rock (on the title track) and outright pop. Each match of poetry and melody has its own insinuating wiles. A lot of credit goes to Miles’ rich voice and deft hands on acoustic guitar and piano. She gets help from producer Ian Lefeuvre, who picks up a number of instruments, double-bass player Maury Lafoy and violinist Drew Jurecka.

Top track: “Time to Let the Sun,” as it unleashes a dramatic resolve to “put your dress on/ It’s time to swing and sway/ It’s time to let the sun have its day.” Miles performs live at the Glenn Gould Studio on Nov. 10.

John Teraud

Jennie Arnau – Chasing Giants – [2010]

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Jennie Arnau creates a unique blend of New York-nurtured South Carolina-born Grassroots rock. Her original blend of Americana, Alt-Country and rock along with her bold and bittersweet voice have lead more than one critic to describe her as a cross between Neil Young and Martina McBride. It’s a sly underground sound that’s born of urban grit and rowdy southern sensibilities and perfectly suits this native South Carolina singer.

Tim O’Brien – Chicken & Egg [2010]

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Tim O’Brien will release an acoustic-oriented “Chicken & Egg,” his 13th solo album, on July 13, on Howdy Skies Records (distributed by E1 Entertainment).

“It was time to make a more acoustic record – more along the lines of a bluegrass thing, with an ensemble and not a lot of production: something pretty down-home, featuring a more consistent band,” O’Brien said.

O’Brien spent four days in the studio with Stuart Duncan (fiddle, mandolin, cello, banjo), Bryan Sutton (acoustic and electric guitar),and bassists Dennis Crouch and Mike Bub. Drummer John Gardner is also featured on several tracks.