Rucksack Revolution, Linneman's Riverwest Inn 2/20/22

A palpable sense of passion and warmth emanated from the stage of a jam-packed Lindemann's Riverwest Inn on a windy winter's eve.  The capacity crowd, which included an all-star cast of some of the midwest's finest Americana artists, was treated to a performance by Rucksack Revolution, that not only stuck to the ribs, but nestled in the soul.

Rucksack Revolution is the dynamic folk duo featuring two longtime friends, Sarah Vos (Dead Horses) and Adam Gruel (Horseshoes and Hand Grenades, High Hawks).  Vos and Gruel are two master songwriters and storytellers who are emerging from the COVID-19 pandemic on the top of their game.  Gruel emits an aura of childlike joy on stage every time he performs with any of his musical projects. Vos is one of the most honest and reflective songwriters around, and has the voice of an angel. Together they delivered a gorgeous evening of songs that were filled with themes of nature, travel, longing and hope, all performed with a pure sense of earnestness, warmth, and compassion.

Vos and Gruel seemed effortlessly in synch with one another on stage, allowing their voices and guitars to weave together a rich tapestry of musical goodness. The duo performed most of their debut record, 2022's Rucksack Revolution, along with a few well-placed covers, Dead Horses songs, Horseshoes and Hand Grenades tunes, and some of Gruel's solo work.  The evening started with a gorgeously harmonized version of "On and On," a standout track from Dead Horses's 2018 release, My Mother the Moon. Horseshoes and Hand Grenades's "Breathing," a deep cut from their 2015 Middle Western record, had a sincere tenderness especially with the singers' vocals meshing together on the refrain.   Other highlights included the classic traveling song, "Across the Great Divide," by Kate Wolf, a striking take on Neil Young's "Harvest Moon," and a gently rousing "Knocking on Heaven's Door," a nice nod to Bob Dylan in a venue known for its Bob Dylan tribute night shows over Thanksgiving weekend.  

All of that aside, the real treat of the evening was hearing the majority of the Rucksack Revolution record, peppered across the band's two stellar sets. In one word, Rucksack Revolution is heartwarming. The record works so well performed live.  "Trying to Find a Better Way," is a reflective opus that hints at the struggle that many of us are feeling at this time with anxiety and worry. "Winona," an homage to Winona, Minnesota, is packed with gorgeous imagery of the beauty of the great northern midwest. "Winding Heavens" features fabulous vocal interplay between the singers over a uniquely simple and catchy guitar lick.  The jangly "Make Believer," is a song that makes you grin from ear-to-ear with its fun and bouncy feel.  Top to bottom, Rucksack Revolution is an album that hooks its listeners like latching on to a big billy bass in a northern Wisconsin lake.  It is challenging, joyful, and above all unbelievably satisfying.

thanks to Gigshotz by Stephen Bloch for the photos

Pipes's Picks: Best of 2021

2021 saw a boon of great music from established artists and emerging performers alike

Here are 15 amazing records worth a spin that I really enjoyed this year.

Cheers to a great 2022 which hopefully will bring a year with more live shows and fine tunes!

1. Billy Strings- Reveal
Arguably the hottest roots/Americana act to emerge out of the pandemic, Billy Strings is the real deal in terms of his guitar dexterity, songwriting, and passion.  His live show is exceptional, and his most recent record, Reveal,  may be his best to date.  Great lyrics, songwriting, and blending of bluegrass and Americana styles.

Stand-Out Tracks: "This Old World," "Know it All," "Heartbeat of America"

2. Hiss Golden Messenger- Quietly Blowing It

MC Taylor has emerged as one of the top troubadours of our era.  Seriously, I don't think there is a Hiss album that has not made my best of the year lists in quite some time.  Quietly Blowing It has a sincerity and earnestness about it which makes it stand out in a field of great singer-songwriter records.  In addition, his holiday record Oh, Come All Ye Faithful is superb (best holiday record in a long time). 

Stand-Out Tracks: :"Hardlytown," "Glory Strums (Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner)," "Sanctuary"

3. Them Coulee Boys- Namesake

Soren Staff and company are on the top of their game these days. The Eau Claire natives delivered a stellar follow up to their acclaimed Die Happy record from 2019. With strong, emotive, narrative lyrics, a diversity of styles and sweeping harmonies, Them Coulee Boys are growing into a midwest juggernaut of soulful Americana music.

Stand-Out Tracks: "Namesake," "Given Up," "Knuckleballer," "Phil's Song"

4. The War on Drugs- I Don't Live Here Any More

Adam Granduciel and the boys have come a long way from when I first saw them at the Metro in Chicago in 2014 on the Lost in a Dream tour. The band takes its time in between releases and has become one of indie rock's biggest acts in recent years blending styles of Americana, neo-psychedelia, and even some late 70's/80's album-rock guitar work. It is a masterful combination that works. I Don't Live Here Anymore holds up as another stellar release from start to finish.

Stand-Out Tracks: "Change," "I Don't Live Here Anymore," "Living Proof"

5. Fruit Bats- The Pet Parade

Eric Johnson is a busy man these days. His folk supergroup, Bonny Light Horsemen dropped one of my favorite records last year, and this year Johnson and his lead project, Fruit Bats, dropped not one but two stellar releases. The original recording The Pet Parade and a cover album of Smashing Pumpkins Siamese Dream, which the band reinterpreted in a really creative and interesting way. While Fruit Bats have been a staple on the folk-indie scene for quite some time now, Johnson and his crew have aged like a fine wine or barrel aged stout, as his recent songwriting is perhaps his best to date.

Stand-Out Tracks: "The Balcony," "The Pet Parade," "Holy Rose," "Cherub Rock," "Hummer"

6. Courtney Barnett- Things Take Time, Take Time

There isn't an artist out there right now who can spin a tale with such description of the ordinary in an extraordinary way like Australia's Courtney Barnett. Her collaborative record with Kurt Vile, 2017's Lotta Sea Lice, has grown into one of my favorite records of all time, and her penchant for quirky storytelling has continued to evolve. Things Take Time, Take Time, is true to form for Barnett whose masterful lens at life is evident across the short but sweet record.

Stand-Out Tracks: "Rae Street," "Before You Gotta Go," "Write a List of Things to Look Forward To"

7. My Morning Jacket- My Morning Jacket

The Jacket has been one of my favorite bands for decades now, and they continue to evolve and impress with great new music. Their self-titled release from this year is on par with some of their best, and is my favorite Jacket record since Circuital which was released in 2011. You can tell that Jim James and company took their time off in solo projects to reenergize a bit as this record is a real barn burner of rock in only the way My Morning Jacket can deliver.

Stand-Out Tracks: "Penny For Your Thoughts," "Love, Love, Love," "Lucky to Be Alive"

8. Mdou Moctar- Afrique Victime

Mdou Moctar has arrived in a big way on the global stage. The Turaeg guitarist and his bandmates have created a unique sound filled with amazing guitar work and jams. Afrique Victime is Mdou's most ambitious album to date. Often times you can feel the beat of the music sounding like the footsteps of camels through the Sahel region of Africa on the tracks, as pointed out to me by Mdou's virtuoso bass player, Mikey Coltun in a conversation this past year. While I was extremely bummed that Mdou's shows with fellow superb guitarist, Steve Gunn were cancelled last year, I can't wait to see him and his great band again this spring in Milwaukee.

Stand-Out Tracks: "Tala Tannam," "Chrismitin," "Afrique Victime"

9. Sierra Ferrell- Long Time Coming

Upon first listen to Sierra Ferrell, I thought to myself, "am I listening to a younger Dolly Parton?" Ferrell's voice has a huge range like Parton's and her songwriting focuses on relationships and storytelling. Ferrell is one of the top emerging Americana artists, and her live show really showcases the sheer power of her vocals. Her music takes you through the full prism of emotions from jolly jams to more reflective ballads, told in a more traditional country style that she simultaneously pays homage to and makes her own. She is certainly an artist on the rise whose record Long Time Coming continues to grow on me with each listen.

Stand-Out Tracks: "Jeremiah," "Bells on Every Chapel," "Dreams"

10. Strand of Oaks- In Heaven

Timothy Showalter is a man who has found a new lease on life since getting sober. A longtime fan of Strand of Oaks, it is clear to see the progression and expansion of Showalter's sound that started on 2019's Eraserland and continues on his most recent release In Heaven. Showalter is about as emotionally raw of a songwriter as you can find. He is a human who truly wears his heart on his sleeve and is about as committed to his fans as any performer I know. This record further expands Showalter's music into psychedelic rock realms while holding true to the rawness of emotion that has made Strand of Oaks such a stellar act over the past decade plus. You can feel the joy that Showalter experienced making this record come through on each and every listen,.

Stand-Out Tracks: "Somewhere in Chicago," "Galacticana," "Easter."

11. Trapper Schoepp- May Day

Milwaukee's own Trapper Schoepp released his finest record to date this year, May Day. Schoepp is a true observer of the world around him and crafts his songs with precision and great attention to detail. May Day showcases this from the opening title track on. Schoepp happens have a May 1st birthday and released the record with sending fans who ordered it packs of flower seeds (a truly creative touch). As Schoepp continues to hone his craft, this young songwriter proves how his tales of life, loss, love, and laughter can be delivered with great introspection and emotion. May Day serves well as a full piece record to enjoy in one sitting, while simultaneously being a collection of ten stellar tracks. The sky's the limit for Schoepp and his awesome band.

Stand-Out Tracks: "May Day," "Yellow Moon," "Solo Quarantine," "River Called Disaster"

12. Mike and the Moonpies- One to Grow On

Austin's Mike and the Moonpies have continued to grow as one of the premier country honky-tonk acts in the country. Their live show is packed with energy, enthusiasm and terrific tight musicianship. True to honky-tonk form, Mike Harmeier tells stories that hook the listener into the world of juke-joints, bars, and tales from a band on the road. The dexterity of the musicians in the band and their honest and jovial take on our modern times makes One to Grow On a stellar record.

Stand-Out Tracks: "Rainy Day," "Paycheck to Paycheck," "Social Drinkers"

Enjoy my Pipes's Picks Best of 2021 Playlist which features these great artists and many others who produced exceptional music over the past twelve months.