Mark Mandeville - No Big Plans

Apparently the unnamed protagonist of The Accident That Led Me To The World just wanted to grow up to be a country singer all along. Left to his own devices, Mark Mandeville, frontman for that band, has produced a folk/country album that is both straightforward as well as idiosyncratic. "I have no big plans" sings the singer-songwriter, but his structure is well-concieved and its foundation runs deep, all while being as opaque as any well-constructed edifice will be. The songs on this album come across like very sincere and real personal statements. (LMNOP) Everything sounds so effortless I can imagine that these songs poured out in one sitting from whole cloth... A fine album for watching ice melting in bourbon. (Aiding & Abetting) Listen to So Blue and I Ain't Going Out There. On sale now for $8.

Raianne Richards - Simple In This Place

Raianne Richards ran off to a cabin in Maine to escape from the notoriety of performing in The Accident That Led Me To The World and recorded a solo album. Then Mark Mandeville added some banjo and bass and Jerry Fels added some drums and keyboard. And then the cicadas and the frogs added their two cents as well, all this resulting in an organic, outdoorsy, timelessly-woodgrained whole, with one foot in lo-fi bedroom pop and the other in mellow country and western. Ms. Richards comes across sounding like a real human being with genuine thoughts and emotions. (LMNOP) Those who appreciate the joyous sound of imaginative, well-played Americana should definitely investigate. (One True Dead Angel) Listen to Best Advice and A Hundred Miles. On sale now for $8.

Walking Tour Recap




Philosophical Walking Tour blog here.

Interview with deferential Worcester Telegram here.

Review of Mark Mandeville's No Big Plans by incredulous Worcester Magazine here.

Performance from the Collective A Go-Go in Worcester MA here: