Carbon Records

To mark their 300th release, Carbon Records are releasing The Sun Is Not True, a compilation album featuring new and exclusive tracks by Liam Grant / Grayson McGuire / Trevor McKenzie, Rob Noyes, Spatulas, Will Veeder, Greymouth, Thurston Moore, murusonus, David Nance, Holt Bodish (of Mordecai), Escalation (Bruce Russell and Peter Wright), Takeda (of Bardo Pond), Rock Candy (Emily Robb and Kryssi Battalene) and Ethan WL.

On fixe Idee, guitarist Eric Arn puts the mostly unadorned acoustic through its paces. Throughout this eclectic set, there are hints of early Robbie Basho, with a loose and free style of playing conjuring an image of carefree, sepia-toned summer life. It is the sound of an accomplished guitarist playing in his own style(s), and the result is excellent: singular, exciting and adventurous.

If you’re after a sharp and tight set of traditional Old-time songs played with plenty of vim and a hefty dose of talent, then look no further than Grant / McGuire / Flaherty, a fun slice of Appalachian magic.

Amoskeag, Liam Grant’s follow-up to his 2021 debut does not disappoint. The whole thing is so well-played and highly creative that it’ll have you hooked. I’ll have to agree with Rob Vaughn, this is f*****’ ace.