Riviera...

Well, today's the day that Riviera releases their new album At The End of the American Century. This is very much music as part of the Americana or alt-country movement and I imagine that alot of critics will automatically point their fingers at Wilco as a clear starting point. While such a comparison may have validity I'm much more drawn to comparisons that place Riviera's sound closer to the country rock moments in The Rolling Stones catalog. There's a very honky tonk element to the bands sound. Lead singer and songwriter Derek Philips has a nice way with his lyrics. With the warm weather coming this record will be a perfect soundtrack to drinking beers on the porch. Go ahead and PURCHASE the record here. At The End of the American Century is what I call a "creeper". By that I mean that with each successive listen something new grabs you, it may not deliver an initial knock out punch but it just keeps coming and coming and coming.

2 songs from At The End of the American Century:

Your American Past

Ashes On The Moon

Also note that today Okkervil River's Black Sheep Boy is released today. This album is a 2005 top ten, must have, must hear.