I really really liked Austin Collins last album, Roses Are Black. In fact, I babbled so much about it, I embarrassed myself a tad (back then I didn’t have much need for paragraphs or proper punctuation, it seems), but hey, I really connected with that record, what can I say? Thankfully, Chip reviewed the new record, Wrong Control over at Twangville and not me this time around. The new disc is also fantastic and seems to rock out a bit more than Roses, which is just fine by me.

I wanted to follow a similar path that I traveled with Drew Kennedy’s latest disc. These two Texas troubadours are buddies, so it only seems fitting that I allow Austin the same opportunity that I so graciously allowed Drew (kidding, they’re both better writers than me obviously, so they’re slummin’). Here is what Austin has to say about two of his favorite tracks from the new disc, out this week.

LISTEN: “Care” – Austin Collins (From the new album, Wrong Control)

Austin Says: I call this song the script to my neurotic head-movie. Care is a snapshot of my steady brain battle. Constant distraction and confusion; bait and switch tactics. Sometimes I really can’t seem to land a thought that will stick. I work myself up and pace – mentally and physically. It really bothers me.

LISTEN: “Island” – Austin Collins (From the new album, Wrong Control)

Austin says: I hate it when relationships come with strings. I also hate when someone gets his or her jollies off of creating co-dependence. It’s like the new gateway drug, the new spiritual addiction to a spiritually numb culture that is constantly looking for guidance. This song came from watching people I love fall prey to other people I love in this way. It’s like a declaration of personal freedom, I guess. John Donne said, “No man is an island” and I thought to myself, “Shut up, John Donne”

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One of the best singer/songwriters in the great state of Texas is none other than Drew Kennedy (Official / Myspace). His 2007 disc, Dollar Theater Movie was easily one of the better records of that year, and his new album will find a similar spot for 2009, as far as I’m concerned. The new album is packed with folk-rock genius and his tales are as distinctive as his trademark twang. If you haven’t done yourself the favor of visiting Drew’s website before to read his blog posts, you’re missing out as he is a gifted writer of the non-musical variety as well. Given that, I thought I would ask Drew to tell me about my 2 favorite songs from the new album (at this point anyways, I keep finding new things I like with each listen)…Enjoy!

Drew tells us about “Sharon Springs” - “Sharon Springs” is a song that I wrote about a  couple of people that I know, people that shoot themselves in the foot everytime something good comes their way. I think everyone knows someome like that. You can do everything you can think of to help them out, but sooner or later you come to grips with the notion that it’s just a part of who they are. They don’t know how to move forward unless they break-down whatever it is that’s right in front of them. It’s not an easy process to watch, that much I know for sure. 

LISTEN: Drew Kennedy – “Sharon Springs”

Drew tells us a little about “St. Abilene” – “St. Abilene” is a tune written from the standpoint of a guy sitting in a bus station, waiting to catch a ride out of town. He finally got enough courage to head out into the great unknown and chase his dreams. The bus ticket was a birthday present for himself– he turns 31 the next day– and, although he’s not a religious guy, he decides it wouldn’t hurt to send up a little prayer to whomever / whatever it was that had been keeping him safe for all of those 30 years that he lived in Abilene. Knowing you need the name of someone to pray to, he decides to pray to the one name that has been a constant in his life, before he heads off in search of his future.

LISTEN: Drew Kennedy -”St. Abilene”

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