But even the men that guided his career wouldn't have expected a record like this – one that stays true to their sounds, but takes them and builds upon them, in the deep South. Recorded in the bayou, under bridges, in forests, and in motel bathrooms, Map Or Direction bristles with sensitive songs that tear emotions to their raw, ragged bones.
Already loved by musicians far away from the folk world, like Queens Of The Stone Age's Josh Homme and Pearl Jam's Eddie Vedder, Map Or Direction reveals the absolute power and passion of folk performance, and introduces the mainstream to an exceptional new voice. It also shows the world how it far John Smith's music can travel, and how many of us it can move.
Radio Playlist 25th August 2010
Spiritualized - Death Take Your Fiddle (Songs In A&E)
John Matthias - Vipers Nest (Stories From The Watercooler)
John Smith - The Fear, The Horror (Map Or Direction)
**
Cabins - Oceanic Blues (Bright Victory)
Bruce Licher - Mesopotamia (v/a Open Strings)
Ass - Ain't Nobody Laughin' At Me (Salt Marsh)
**
John Smith - Swords (Map Or Direction)
Dan Mangan - Robots (Nice, Nice, Very Nice)
Paper Moon - Burn, Burn, Burn (Demo)
**
Kenseth Thibideau - Disguise (Repetition)
The Map Room - List Of Things (Demo)
The Alps - Hallucinations (III)
**
Wolf People - Cotton Strands (7")
The Books - All You Need Is A Wall (The Way Out)
John Smith - Death & The Lady (Map Or Direction)
