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Album:Louisa & The Devil

Website: http://www.dodgebrothers.co.uk

Sub-headed 'Death, Booze And Heartbreak', "Louisa & The Devil" elevates The Dodge Brothers into the vanguard of the UK skiffle-billy revival. As well as following the raucous themes of drink, carrousing and trains, the band manage to introduce a political edge with "42 Days" a song so powerful that the legislation it complains about had alread failed before the album came out. It's got a rough and ready good time feel to it, hell and damnation. It envokes images of coffee houses and jives. It's more than homage, The Dodge Brothers have inherited the spirit and imbibed deeply of it.

Label:Sunshine Drenchy

Website: http://www.steverobinsonmusic.com

"Undercurrent" has been out a while in the US and is, unfortunately, difficult to get hold of on these shores, which is a shame because Steve Robinson seems to know what he's doing with both pen and guitar, amongst an array of other instruments. Soft, acoustic rock in nature, but packed full of subtle touches that lifts the album way above AOR radio fodder. At times you can almost see the glint in his eye or the tongue in his cheek as he smiles his way through the album. Robinson seems to be a glass half full man, but one that views the content with the cynicism of experience.

Rachel Harrington

Album:City Of Refuge

Website: http://www.myspace.com/rachelharrington

City of Refuge is the long awaited follow up to 2007's The Bootlegger's Daughter. This offering eloquently shares both personal and mythical stories from the American West, including, fascinatingly, tales inspired by the memoirs of prostitutes during the Alaska gold rush. On City of Refuge, Rachel once again adds an extra dimension with an array of outstanding supporting musicians. The other common thread throughout the CD? Rachel's beautiful voice, blending folk, country, Americana, bluegrass to create what is a truly outstanding album of Western legends. HM

Gregg Cave And The Village Hall Band

Album:The Teddingworth Village hall Session

Website: http://www.myspace.com/greggcavemusic

It took a couple of listens before this finally clicked. On listen one I could tell it had something and I think I tried too hard to find it. The Teddington Village Hall Session has a real homely feel to it. You can imagine an extended family gathered around to listen to the band. It's got a touch of the troubadour to it. It slides along a folk/americana and at times almost gospel feel. I hate to use comparators, but imagine an English Cowboy Junkies and you won't be far off the mark. You have to listen to it and whilst you're doing that, it'll hook you and reel you in. Sheer delight.

Website: http://www.shawnarussell.com

Goddess is Shawna Russell's debut album and features 13 songs, all originals. Demonstrating her rockier edge, Should Have Been Born with Wheels placed Shawna in the charts, whilst the aching Shed a Tear was written to honor women who serve and have died serving in the Armed Forces. Stand out tracks include Everybody's Got a Story, Cemetery Hill and the beautiful Just Let Go in which she demonstrates a vocal maturity and talent beyond her years. Many a 'Goddess' reflected the duality of life and death and Russell's writting brings the link into stark perspective. HM

Website: http://www.brucecockburn.com

Sometimes called the Canadian Cliff Richard because of the way he wears his beliefs on his sleeve, the description sells Bruce Cockburn a little short at best, a lot short at worst. Cockburn writes most of the material he performs and, as this double album's worth of live material shows, he does both with a natural ease. I was surprised to discover that "Slice O life" is Bruce's first solo live album. He's recorded live albums before, but prior to this always with the various ad-hoc bands he puts together. Whilst the songs come from a number of shows, it does sound like a couple of sets.

Album:Crows Rooks And Ravens

Website: http://www.myspace.com/andineate

There is something very affirming about listening to an Andi Neate record. I always feel boyed from listening to her albums and "Crows Rooks And Ravens" is no exception to that rule. Andi's songs have a way of lifting you even when the subject matter is on the darker side of life. Circus, space and animals are common themes in her writing, they occur frequently in many different contexts. Her songs cross folk, blues, jazz and even gospel, big band pieces and virtually vocal only, but always work well as individual songs and as part of a greater whole. Uplifting and elegant a must.

Michael Weston King

Album:Crawling Through The USA

Website: http://www.myspace.com/michaelwestonking

"Crawling Through America" is an unusual compilation album of radio sessions that Michael Weston King recorded in the US of A. Former lead of The Good Sons, Michael has struck a troubadour trail with more of an Americana feel than a folk one. It's a great album, packed full of strong songs, though personally I'd have dropped the station plugs, it distracts and sounds cliche. Other than that there is little wrong with an album that retains much of his alt. country heritage and combines it with a sound more traditionally Nashville. The result a finally crafted songwriters album.

A Tribute To Utah Phillips

Album:Singing Through The Hard Times

Label:Rightgeous Babe

Website: http://www.rightgeousbabe.com

Utah Phillips was one of America's great socialist singer/songwriter/storyteller he stood by what he thought was right even if it clashed with 'the national agenda'. Towards the end of his career and life he was adopted by Ani Difranco's Righteous Babe label, from where this tribute album comes. Conceived before his death last year, but all the more poignant for that loss "Singing Through The Hard Times" is not only one of the finest tribute albums you'll hear, featuring the likes of Emmy Lou Harris, Pete Seeger and Mary Black, it also captures the spirit of the man.

The Wednesday Club

Website: http://www.myspace.com/thewednesdayclubhits

Bouyed by the exuberance of youth and a college rock sound that has an English take on the likes of They Might Be Giants and Barenaked Ladies, The Wednesday Club have a great line in quirky one and two minute blasts of songs. "Soap" is far more of a comedy drama, realistically giving voice to the frustrations of an urban generation trying to make light of a world that doesn't understand the angst of generation y. Alternatively, it's a band that's got an amusing take on the world and half a chance of pulling the drunken girls in front row. It's funtime, tongue in cheek, goodtime music.

Single:Elephant Juice

Label:Triumphant Sounds

Website: http://www.myspace.com/karlculley

Taken from the forthcoming album, "3 Minutes Of Madness", "Elephant Juice" is a strange two minutes of music that I can't decide if it's mercifully short or a slice of genius. It's got a hypnotic quality to it, almost bluesy, very rhymthic in both the playing and the vocal. The lyrics keep repeating in a speeding up cycle and almost distract from the guitar doing pretty much the same thing. Culley has a laid back, almost surf quality to his voice, but with an accent or affection that's hard to pin down. It leads to a track that's hard to pin down and even harder to make a decision on.

Label:Marrakesh Records

Website: http://www.myspace.com/operahousehq

"Genius Child" is already starting to cause a bit of a stir. The video has already been viewed half a million times. Ok hits ain't the same as proper interest, but even at a one in ten rate, that's serious notice. Operahouse launch their debut album, "Escape From The Sun" in April and if it lives up to this taster, it's going to be quite an album. "Genius Child" is anthem laden rock with some great instrumentation sitting underneath the vocal, combining a strong voice with honest to goodness rock that doesn't forsake its blues history for unadulterated power.