(Howlin’ Dog, CD)

Northeast Kingdom’s Highway Bar Music is a brand-new entrant into Vermont’s crowded Americana scene. The countrified boyfriend-girlfriend duo of Ryan Arthur and Elisabeth Kaldor began as a studio side project nearly two years ago, but they didn’t play their first show until January of this year, at Burlington’s Radio Bean. That show also served as a release party for their debut EP, Side Room Serenade.... Read more

(Self-released, CD)... Read more

(Self-released, CD)

Imagine ferrying recklessly down unpaved Caribbean roads aboard a Technicolor tour bus. Mountain villages fall in and out of view, chickens cluck in overhead compartments, the driver shouts something in Spanish. Wide-eyed with exhilaration, you grin broadly at the passing tropics.... Read more

(Self-released, CD)

Not to make light of a serious mental illness, but listening to Cam Cougar, the third album from Burlington experimental outfit Lawrence Welks & Our Bear to Cross, is like suffering a compulsion to cut oneself — which may, in fact, be the end result for anyone who dares prolonged exposure to the disc. Its effect is like frostbite, but instead of merely freezing your skin, this album peels it off as one might open a sardine can. A rusty sardine can. Cutting-edge, indeed.... Read more

(Self-released, EP)

Given the stodginess exhibited by many trad, bluegrass and folk musicians, it’s hard not to be at least a little intrigued by a string band that doesn’t take itself too seriously, right? Right. Enter Gold Town. With their self-titled debut EP, the southern-Vermont-based trio introduces what they call its “fast bluegrass and whiskey twang.” And, by and large, the band represents a fun new addition to the state’s vibrant Americana scene.... Read more

(Self-released, CD)

When last we left Henry Jamison — then Jamison-Root — he was a promising 17-year-old who had, within less than a year, released a pair of locally acclaimed albums as The Milkman’s Union. That was early 2007. Now old enough to vote and backed by a handful of schoolmates from Bowdoin College in Maine, Jamison/The Milkman’s Union deliver a self-described “second debut,” Roads In.... Read more

(Self-released, CD)... Read more

(Self-released, CD)

To the best of my recollection, I have never met Maryse Smith. Sure, I’ve seen her on stages around town a time or two — and have generally come away impressed. Otherwise, our paths have never crossed. Hell, I don’t think we’re even Facebook friends. But after immersing myself in her cozy debut solo album, Is Becomes Was, I can’t help but feel as though I know her as I would an old friend.... Read more

Wow. 2009 was an incredible year in Vermont-made music. I know, I know. Take a look back at this annual 7D feature from years past and you’ll find the lead sentence always resembles some version of this one. And rightly so — every year is memorable for one reason or another. But more than any other year in recent memory, 2009 was truly special. ... Read more

(Self-released, CD)

With Shooting Arrows at the Moon, Orange County musician Bow Thayer has created an introspective gem of an album featuring sparse instrumentation and a pure sound.... Read more