Ashley Monroe - Like a Rose POLL

http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/20813-the-blade/

not sure ilxors will like the content of that review, but nice that p4k has reviewed another not too alt-y album favourably

Alfred's review is a lot more fun to read because it doesn't waste time justifying/indiesplaining the genre

Like so many country albums, especially recent ones by Monroe's friend and bandmate Miranda Lambert, The Blade could be stronger if it was more streamlined and sequenced with some kind of overarching narrative in mind

haha yeah that sentence is not great

amazing how the integrity of the album must be preserved and nurtured at all times

and that this album lacks a narrative

Now Sgt. Pepper's, there's proper narrative for you

dammit should've done Now that's what I call music pun...

I take it as a break-up album, purt' near. Maybe with a few relatively mellow memories, but basically, she's moved/moving on (Tex in her rear-view mirror, fair amount of distance already). Not cold, but details are more in the music than the lyrics (no gory)

But also, it's past time for the country Sgt. Pepper's! "He blew his mind out in a truck..."

or if it's Miranda Lambert it's "I blew his brains in a truck."

it was 20 years ago today / mutt lange taught the band to play

xp blew out, or just blew bc depending on the lambert song could be either tbh

i mean the lyric of "bombshell" is incredible on its own

embodying all of the scenarios in which one could possibly deliver bad news, none of which manage to soften it

"bombshell" is fantastic. everything about it.

it'll never be a good time

album confirms my theory that she was the best of the class of 2013

album confirms my theory that she is the center of gravity for "nashville," the tv show. they've used a bunch of her songs but, jesus, every song on this album is perfect for one character or another. it helps, of course, that breaking up is every "nashville" character's favorite activity.

New album is now on Spotify.

OK fine I like "Bombshell."

amazing how the integrity of the album must be preserved and nurtured at all times

I get the sarcasm, but I also think as long as acts keep releasing collections of songs presented as albums, I will keep listening to them as such. Tbh, I really wish bands and acts of all ilk would resume releasing stand-alone singles that aren't just trailers for the record. It would shake things up nicely and give acts something to promote between major release cycles.

here's the show i went to last week; well worth a watch
http://www.npr.org/event/music/427418193/watch-ashley-monroe-perform-live-in-concert

plus the accompanying ann powers interview
http://www.npr.org/event/music/427418621/i-love-the-truth-ashley-monroe-in-conversation

this is a goddamn great album

listening to it + events of recent months combined to incite some serious albeit cathartic ugly crying this morning, yeesh

this might be my favorite album of the year. "if love was fair" and the title track just floor me. seeing her in october

When you live in a big city, waiting for country acts to play in the city limits must be what it's like for someone in middle of nowhere Alabama waiting for Yo La Tengo or something.

She just played the Historic 6th & I Synagogue in Washington DC tonight (where she is not getting much country radio support). Good but short show. Emphasis on the new album (and her voice seemed stronger on those cuts live) but also a Pistol Annies song, and cuts from her other efforts. Sadly, no "If Love Was Fair."

Sadly, no "If Love Was Fair."

I know!! My favorite song on the album and she skipped it. Great show otherwise

saw her in nyc. really nice show. encored with "games people play."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C47v_6B5h60

still one of the albums of the year

Yes. X-post--She did the same encore in DC. Her introduction for "On to Something Good" was something like "Here's one of my few positive songs," while later for another song she specifically noted how Miranda Lambert had a hit with "my song, but it wasn't me doing it." But she didn't come across as negative; just humble and self-deprecating and these are the facts. Nice story about Guy Clark and the writing of "Like a Rose," friendly comments about walking around Washington D.C.

The 1200 or so seat room was not full, but there was a sizable crowd. I also had an extra ticket I could not unload. She is not getting lots of country radio play (and this weeknight gig was in downtown DC not in the burbs where mega-arena shed country shows take place), and it seems that folks I know into alt-country also are not interested or something. She also doesn't have that crossover aspect that Kacey Musgraves has.

yes, she introduced a song as one she had tried hard to sell to radio with limited results. "but that's ok, to you guys it's a hit!" i also wondered wonder if she's gearing up for the americana marketplace. i notice she guested on don henley's recent austin city limits appearance along with trisha yearwood, martina mcbride, etc.

Seems like they are trying to market her to the Americana audience now. She seems willing to guest with lots of folks-- gets her name out there. Henley lately; previously Train; years back Jack White & Raconteurs; Wanda Jackson. Nashville tv show too, I think was mentioned upthread.

i think every one of my favourite artists this year has been rejected by radio

she didn't win any grammys, huh? i saw that stapleton won, which reminded me that i should sell my copy of 'traveller' (it's not my thing, i tried.)

'platinum' & 'american middle class' & 'the blade' are almost unfairly good in such different ways, such complete works and listenable all the way through. i can't even say which one of the best though 'the blade' is the one i've listened to the most in recent months (not just because it's most recent.)

incredible gig tonight for her uk debut, and one of the most rapturous receptions i've ever seen from a non-teenage audience for any artist - who knew london loved her so much? different stages of their careers but this outdid the (warm) welcome kacey musgraves got on her uk debut in 2013.

miranda lambert came out for the encore (in a 350-capacity venue) and they duetted on "the blade" and "heart like mine"!!!

and ashley debuted one new song she wrote last week and it was incredible, haunting folk in the vein of "run daddy run"

oh man -- I wish I'd been there

New duet with Butch Walker. It's lovely.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DYScY9kH8xE&feature=youtu.be

New song coming out Monday. The few seconds of it she shared on her FB today sounds promising! New album soon I guess?

Sorry, coming out Friday.

https://scontent-lax3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-0/28951265_10155407680889290_7681142563255877632_o.jpg?oh=a55b438760efa76d942b96783ba098f4&oe=5B4E05C3

HI DERE

https://media.giphy.com/media/26FPCiMhLiRosby3m/giphy.gif

https://www.npr.org/2018/04/12/601100251/first-listen-ashley-monroe-sparrow

at the v least the first song on this is crazy gorgeous

halfway through and it's sounding fantastic so far

the arrangements are *lush*

huh. i know i say this every time about every record i remotely like but this might be my fav this year. dark indeterminate left turn of the bridge in "rita" is what sealed it

oh god this is out already? I can't handle this release schedule.

it's out next friday alfred