Here's a fact: when it comes to the Felice Brothers, I'm biased. First of all, they hail from my college stomping grounds. (Note: I have only been out of college for less than a year, but since I have indeed moved out of my college town, I have every right to refer to said town as "my college stomping grounds." Just clearing that up right now.) Secondly, they go quite well with a pint of whatever's on tap, and they manage to indulge in a few themselves while cranking out some of the most earnest Americana rock/folk I've heard in a long while. Simone Felice often opens for his own band with the help of his wife's keyboard accompaniment, and Bob Dylan comparisons run rampant right into the main set, where he's joined by his violin&accordion&guitar-wielding (hey!) brothers.
2008 seems to be treating these "upstate" (not really) New York boys quite well, kicking off a national tour with Son Volt and meeting up with the Drive-By Truckers on the West Coast. Pretty boss considering their First Real Record, Tonight At the Arizona, only came out last year. Tear. I'm rather proud.
No irony allowed, especially on a tour of such length, sheesh:
