Ben Nichols of Lucero tearing it up on Saturday in Dallas. Click here for more sweet pics taken by Patrick Michels and Kevin Todora of The Dallas Observer

Sorry for the slow postings over the last week or so. It has been for good reason, however. Thankfully, I have been staying busy with both The Dallas Observer, as well as Best of Texas.Com.

This past weekend, I covered the MusInk Festival in Dallas for The Observer’s Music Blog, DC-9 at Night. Click on the Ben Nichols pic above for some pretty cool shots of both music and tattoos and then below are links to the reviews that were posted…

FRIDAY NIGHT - Old 97′s, Telegraph Canyon, Doug Burr & Seryn

SATURDAY NIGHT – Shooter Jennings, Lucero, Roger Alan Wade & 1100 Springs

Recently, I have listened to a ton of records where the artist does little more than imitate their ”inspirations” and provide little effort into projecting their own voice, display their own product, or share their own vision. Thankfully, there are records where the artist draws inspiration from various artists and uses those inspirations as tools with which to create and expand and not merely to trace over. Kasey Anderson’s (Official / Myspace) upcoming record, Nowhere Nights, fits easily into that category.

Yeah, there are hints of The Boss and Lucero, but Anderson’s sandpaper snarl and evocative lyrics serve up a fantastic disc that doesn’t seem to have a weak link to be found. Similar to Lucero, Anderson deftly switches up the tempo and expertly alters the mood of the record at various points. ”From Now On” is an understated epic that recalls some of Springsteen’s moodier work. The raw punches of the electric strums lend the song a bit of urgency and diversity. If Anderson were to ever film a video for this song, I would have to imagine that a cold, mist-filled, lonely, urban night would provide the backdrop. The central story of a soldier in “I Was a Photograph” is as sad as it is timely. The record isn’t all mood and melancholy, however. “All Lit Up” and “Sooner/Later” crank the amps up a good bit. Anderson has built a solid catalog of quality Americana, but Nowhere Nights is a true gem that should find its way into many people’s collection.

LISTEN: Kasey Anderson – “Sooner/Later”

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Look, Tiger is holding The Avett brother's trophy for them...

In year’s past, I haven’t done much a personal “Best-Of” list at year’s end. I have left that up to others, mainly due to the stress level inherent with such a task. This year, I contributed a list to multiple outlets, so I figure I would share my ballot with you here. What you see below is really a big group of my favorite albums, versus an actual list of albums I think are better than other albums. Over the course of the year, I listen to a few hundred records, easily. Rarely a day goes by where I don’t pop in a new disc that may or may not see some “ink” on this blog. From that large number of records, I actually enjoyed well over 100 of them, I imagine.

The sad fact of the matter, for many reasons, there were many records I liked that I never found the time to actually say much about here on The Gobblers Knob or over on Twangville. I said all that to say this. These 25 albums could’ve easily been higher or lower than they are here. On different days, I feel like certain choices were wrong, but this is what I’m going with…for now, at least.

1.  Avett Brothers – I and Love and You: Indie darling’s go big-time with major label and super-producer. The tight melodies and trademark, emotionally charged and poetic writing prove there was nothing to worry about.

2.  Phosphorescent - To Willie: Every tribute/covers album wants to be this one when they grow up. Matthew Houck made Willie’s songs his own while keeping the raw, real vibe intact.

Here are the rest of my favorites for the year (basically 3a – 3x)…

3.  Heartless Bastards – The Mountain
4.  Miranda Lambert – Revolution
5.  Allen Thompson – 26 years
6.  Telegraph Canyon – The Tide & The Current
7.  Deer Tick - Born on Flag Day
8.  Buddy & Julie Miller – Written in Chalk
9.  Ryan Bingham – Roadhouse Sun
10. Gina Villalobos – Days on Their Side
11.  Band of Heathens – One Foot in the Ether
12.  The Takers – Taker Easy
13.  Wilco – Wilco (The Album)
14.  Roman Candle – Oh Tall Tree In the Ear
15.  The O’s – We are The O’s
16.  Sons of Bill – One Town Away
17.  Drive by Truckers – The Fine Print
18.  The Gourds – Haymaker!
19.  Scott Warren – Quick Fix Bandage
20.  Patterson Hood - Murdering Oscar
21.   Charlie Robison – Beautiful Day
22.   Lucero - 1372 Overton Park
23.   Danny Balis - Too Much Living
24.   Chad Price – Smile Sweet Face
25.   Dawes – North Hills

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Photo courtesy of Alisha Hurt

Somebody’s Darling (Official / Myspace) has been on a roll as of late. Last year, they won the Shiner Rising Star competition and this year, they saw their excellent self-titled Shiner Records album released after recording it in Nashville with none other than Dan Baird, who has produced many greats including Chris Knight. They have been hitting the road with many top-notch acts recently and their brand of soul-flavored country rock has been winning new fans quickly. I recently chatted with 2 of the members, Amber Farris (lead vocals) and David Ponder (guitar) about what their lives are like at this juncture and where their music is heading…

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GK: What has been the most exciting thing that has happened to you since winning Shiner Rising Star?

David: That’s tough… loading up the van to go to Nashville and record your first album would rank pretty high up there. Also getting a chance to tour with Stoney LaRue was so awesome. We got to really see how a real show with a full crew operates. It gave us something to shoot for definitely.

GK: Now that you have had the experience of recording in a first-class studio with a pro like Dan Baird producing, how has the everyday experience of being in this band changed?

Amber: It hasn’t really changed the day to day stuff, it’s just really prepared us for the next time we go in studio. I feel like we learned a bunch from Dan, he’s awesome!

GK: You guys have been playing with a bunch of great acts from all over. You are even opening for James McMurtry soon at The Granada Theater in Dallas. Who are the artists that you have been excited or even intimidated by over the course of the last year or so?

Amber: Stoney Larue, Lucero, Sam Roberts, and Corb Lund come to mind but really everyone we play with is a new experience and a chance to learn something. It’s always an honor to play with acts we look up to ourselves

GK: Right now who are you listening to other than yourself?

David: Lot’s of Lucinda Williams, Rolling Stones, Bruce Springsteen, Justin Townes Earle, and Ryan Bingham. Also I’ve been jamming the new Murry Hammond a ton, it’s SO good.

GK: Are you catching any “non-Somebody’s Darling” shows this season?

David: It’s soo hard to make it out to shows when you’re always playing, but I just saw that the Avett Brothers and Samantha Crain are coming to the Granada soon. We HAVE to go to that one. Amber and I were in a band before SD and we actually opened up for Samantha Crain years ago, we’re so proud to see her doing good.

GK: Describe Somebody’s Darling’s sound in 5 words.

David: Classic Rock with Soul-Country

GK: Being a band that has being playing together for a while – in and around Dallas – and is finally getting some exposure to larger audiences, what bands from the Dallas area do you think deserve some attention pointed in their direction?

Amber: We’ve really grown up with a band called John David Kent and The Dumb Angels. We’ve done a bunch of little mini-tours with them and stuff and they’ve really become family. Keep an eye out for them!

GK: Since its Thanksgiving weekend, what are you thankful for right now?

David: I’m thankful that we’re getting a chance to nationally release the album soon! Also very thankful for the fact that we don’t want to kill each other yet… haha. We’ve had some cold nights in the van that could break the spirit of lesser band.

GK: With the holiday season upon us, where do you think or hope Somebody’s Darling will “be” by the holiday’s in 2010?

Amber: Hopefully on the road! Everyday of 2010!

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LISTEN: Somebody’s Darling – “Horses”

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Alberta Cross was a pleasant surprise for me at ACL Festival, now they are on Daytrotter.

The last few days have seen some really sweet gems pop up on a  couple of my favorite sites…let’s get to it.

• Daytrotter has welcomed a host of excellent artists recently. Here are a few of my favorites

- Bobby Bare Jr.

-Lucero

-Alberta Cross

• Dallas Observer music blog, DC-9 at Night pointed us into the direction of a few choice vids from the new Dallas NPR station, KXT 91.7. Below are my three favorite videos from two of the best country acts Dallas has to offer right now…

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