Auburn - Mixed Feelings (2015)

2014 proved to be a hugely exciting year for acoustic ensemble Auburn, who reformed in 2011 after almost a decade apart. With a new album and a major UK tour supporting the legendary Jefferson Starship s 40th anniversary tour, Auburn have been captivating audiences around the country with their unique blend of Americana, blues and roots music. Their 2014 album, Nashville , features 12 songs from singer-songwriter and Auburn lynchpin Liz Lenten, and establishes Auburn s place as a compelling force in contemporary Americana. Showcasing Liz s versatility as a writer and vocalist, Nashville s sonic world fuses elements of blues, Alt-country and roots music, with soulful lyrics and catchy pop rhythms. Recorded in Nashville, Tennessee with award-winning producer Thomm Jutz (Nanci Griffiths, Mary Gauthier, Kim Richey) Nashville features musicians who have played with everyone from Roy Orbison to Garth Brooks and Dolly Parton. Three tracks from the album were made available on ReverbNation prior to its release and within a few weeks had reached No.1 in the UK Americana charts and No.7 in the Global Americana charts. Nashville has gained extensive airplay and great reviews across Europe - notably Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, Sweden, Portugal and France.

Just like the Brits did to us with the blues, they ve come to Nashville and recorded a killer set of Americana which they are now selling back to us. Getting away from the usual radio driven fodder, Auburn makes wonderfully atmospheric music that feels inspired by Ry Cooder but the lyrics are delivered in such a way that unless you really listen closely you miss how this stuff reads like the kind of country that first turned rappers on to Johnny Cash because he was such an OG. This set is equally strange and magical and sure to entice you in ways you never imagined. This is the kind of off the beaten track stuff boomers have been clamoring for. Killer stuff that really takes you by surprise. --Mid West Record

On an album that was (remarkably) recorded, and mixed in just 6 days, the bluesy soundscape for Lenten s distinctive vocals continue onwards with 'Wood For The Trees,' a track which personifies the entire troupe perfectly. This glorious album then comes to a close with the ridiculously lyrically stunning 'Quite Life,' and then, finally, the mid-tempo flow of 'Feel The Sun.' As Hunter S. Thompson once said: Buy the ticket, take the ride , as you will not be disappointed. --Anne Carlini