Topic: Country music that is good. (Read 23060 times)

thebrosef · « **on:** 03 Feb 2008, 19:48 »

Hey everyone. I know I am new and starting a lot of new threads as a new person is generally bad form, but I need a bit of help. Before I started really exploring what the musical world had to offer (that sounded lame but I say it un-ironically) I was into really generic "alt-pop" radio bands. Since then, I've found some bands that I like in almost every genre. I am just starting to like some of the heavier metal, some screamo stuff, and other stuff that isn't traditionally considered easy listening. Currently, I live at college with 3 other guys in my room who are really into country music. I have never enjoyed traditional country music. I lived in a city most of my life, I don't ride tractors, I've never been to a tastee freeze, etc. It is mostly just hard for me to relate to even though it supposedly composed of universal themes.

So as I am sure you have already guessed based on the title of this thread and the previous paragraph, can anyone recommend some country music that is really worth a listen? (Oh Noes a recommendation thread sorry)

I apologize that I can't give more criteria as to why I don't like most country music. It just never hits my ears the right way I guess.

E. Spaceman · « **Reply #1 on:** 03 Feb 2008, 20:09 »

thebrosef · « **Reply #2 on:** 03 Feb 2008, 20:12 »

Any explanations? or should I just blindly listen? Not that I won't anyway. Thanks for the suggestions.

Oscaio · « **Reply #3 on:** 03 Feb 2008, 20:19 »

I really don't like country, as in CMT, but I am a big fan of Lambchop, which qualifies (I guess) as alt-country. Great lyrics, Kurt Wagner has a great voice, and with 13 musicians you can't go wrong... I guess "How I quit smoking" is my favorite by them, but Nixon, and Woman are also excellent.

If you are looking for something more intimate, there is this guy from Scotland called James Yorkston, he is a freaking genious.

KvP · « **Reply #4 on:** 03 Feb 2008, 20:24 »

thebrosef · « **Reply #5 on:** 03 Feb 2008, 20:25 »

I don't know who that is a picture of.

Patrick · « **Reply #6 on:** 03 Feb 2008, 20:28 »

Any post-1994 Alan Jackson will probably do you (and a massive bonus if you go and listen to his song "Remember When" straight off), and you could always listen to really old George Jones, if subject matter is what's really keeping you down. I mean seriously, who can't identify with crushing heartache? If there's any country artist in this world whose music is nothing but, it is probably going to be good ol' George.

A lot of what gives country music it's charm (to me, at least) is that a lot of it is intentionally campy and hillbilly-ish in subject matter and, often times, style. Indie hipsters definitely weren't the first on the irony scene (WHAT? THEY DIDN'T DISCOVER IRONY? OH THE IRONY).

Seriously? Go watch a YouTube video of the Porter Wagoner show. Watch the ending of it. When they have an entire bluegrass band hop up onto the stage with a fiddle player dancing around like he's got a ferret in his pants, just try to tell me they're not doing that to intentionally look like idiots.

The thing about country is that it isn't a style, it's a mindset. This may come off like I'm trying to turn country into punk, but it's the truth. If you're not going out mudriding in your 4wd pickup truck with an unlocked shotgun rack in the back and several open bottles of whiskey in the cab, you are better off listening to Kenny G.

KvP · « **Reply #7 on:** 03 Feb 2008, 20:35 »

Quote from: thebrosef on 03 Feb 2008, 20:25

I don't know who that is a picture of.

Merle "fucking" Haggard.

thebrosef · « **Reply #8 on:** 03 Feb 2008, 20:37 »

That actually might be the reason that I am bothered by some country music. As much as riding around in a pickup truck with some whiskey and a shotgun sounds like a hilariously good time, riding around on a tractor, holding up traffic, and then writing a song about how this somehow is something to be proud of just kind of pisses me off. And of course I can identify with heartbreak, but the mindset of deliberate hillbillyness somehow detracts from many of those lyrics for me. Hence my search for better country music.

That said, thanks for all the recommendations.

E. Spaceman · « **Reply #9 on:** 03 Feb 2008, 20:39 »

Quote from: thebrosef on 03 Feb 2008, 20:12

Any explanations? or should I just blindly listen? Not that I won't anyway. Thanks for the suggestions.

Uncle Tupelo and Whiskeytown were pioneers of the alt-country movement. Genres are really hard to define, but imagine people who really liked country, but they also liked punk. Now, these people took country music and stripped it of the nashville sheen, they don't really write about tractors and their guitars occasionally do more than twang (granted, most of the time it is just overdriven twang).

edit: hey, i just read your last post. Get those albums like now

Spluff · « **Reply #10 on:** 03 Feb 2008, 20:57 »

Wow, I can now officially say I like some country music.

JimmyJazz · « **Reply #11 on:** 03 Feb 2008, 21:11 »

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/a/a4/WillieNelsonRedHeadedStrangeralbumcover.jpg

(Nashville Skyline - Bob Dylan)

(Down the River of Golden Dreams - Okkervil River)

(At Fillmore East - The Allman Bros. Band)

(Music From Big Pink - The Band)

RobbieOC · « **Reply #12 on:** 03 Feb 2008, 21:16 »

Ooh! Also, Colin Meloy's band that he was in before The Decemberists was called Tarkio, and it is country-ish and quite good. Though, if you're not a fan of The Decemberists, I wouldn't get it. It's basically the same sound, but with banjos instead of an accordian.

Uber Ritter · « **Reply #13 on:** 03 Feb 2008, 21:23 »

Bluegrass is good if you like Banjos, vocal harmonies and songs about death. Generally the Nashvilleness is kept to a minimum, though it's still music that's pretty grounded in its Hillybillyhood.
Seriously it might not be what you're looking for, but Ralph Stanley and the Seldom Scene are two Bluegrass artists I enjoy quite a bit. The "O Brother Where Art Thou" soundtrack is a pretty good introduction to the genre and its relatives.
But then, I like Bluegrass.

tomselleck69 · « **Reply #14 on:** 03 Feb 2008, 21:50 »

Any of Jason Molina's bands.

Songs: Ohia lures you in with promises of honest, simple indie rock that is as heartbreaking as Molina's unibrow is huge. Then with Magnolia Electric Co. you realize he is actually a sad cowboy rather than a sad indie guy, and maybe you resist a little after hearing the self-titled and then the other albums, but then you hear Fading Trails and it is like the cipher to everything else, and the whole discography completely makes sense and it's all great, start to finish.

He's my favorite. Check him out.

Also good: Deer Tick, the Old 97s, Utah Carol, The Handsome Family, Old Crow Medicine Show, Son Volt, Uncle Tupelo, Calexico

and of course all the classics: Townes Van Zandt, Gram Parsons / Flying Burrito Bros., Haggard, Cash, Patsy Cline, Hank Sr., etc.

ImRonBurgundy? · « **Reply #15 on:** 03 Feb 2008, 22:54 »

Two good ones I haven't seen in this thread so far: Drag The River and Lucero.

Joseph · « **Reply #16 on:** 03 Feb 2008, 22:56 »

Palace Music
Will Oldham
Palace Songs
Bonnie 'Prince' Billy
Palace Brothers
Bonny Billy

KickThatBathProf · « **Reply #17 on:** 03 Feb 2008, 23:16 »

Quote from: Kid van Pervert on 03 Feb 2008, 20:35

Quote from: thebrosef on 03 Feb 2008, 20:25
I don't know who that is a picture of.
Merle "fucking" Haggard.

Sorry, but that nickname is reserved for Yngwie "fucking" Malmsteen

Johnny C · « **Reply #18 on:** 03 Feb 2008, 23:18 »

BLOOD MERIDIAN

ImRonBurgundy? · « **Reply #19 on:** 03 Feb 2008, 23:25 »

Quote from: KickThatBathProf on 03 Feb 2008, 23:16

Sorry, but that nickname is reserved for Yngwie "fucking" Malmsteen

I'm sorry, but just by virtue of the lives the two men have led, Merle Haggard deserves it way more than Yngwie.

Borondir · « **Reply #20 on:** 03 Feb 2008, 23:27 »

Dwight Yoakam.

Guitars and Cadillacs is brilliant. Some of his newer stuff, like Blame the Vain is quite well done as well.

Also, Old 97's first couple of albums are rollicking, fun alt-country. Neko Case, k.d. lang, and Gillian Welch are all more or less country on different albums (and country in different styles). 16 Horsepower and Woven Hand, the solo project that arose from it, are great countryish and very dark Americana.

Finally, I'd like to second the Johnny Cash, Merle Haggard, Gram Parsons, Uncle Tupelo, Son Volt, Hank Williams, and early Okkervil River and Wilco suggestions.

KickThatBathProf · « **Reply #21 on:** 03 Feb 2008, 23:36 »

Quote from: ImRonBurgundy? on 03 Feb 2008, 23:25

Quote from: KickThatBathProf on 03 Feb 2008, 23:16
Sorry, but that nickname is reserved for Yngwie "fucking" Malmsteen

I'm sorry, but just by virtue of the lives the two men have led, Merle Haggard deserves it way more than Yngwie.

But it was in The Onion

So it must be true

pinkpiche · « **Reply #22 on:** 04 Feb 2008, 00:34 »

Quote from: Dark Flame on 03 Feb 2008, 22:56

Palace Music
Will Oldham
Palace Songs
Bonnie 'Prince' Billy
Palace Brothers
Bonny Billy

Very clever. I second that.

Patrick · « **Reply #23 on:** 04 Feb 2008, 00:49 »

Man I don't know the vast majority of the people mentioned in this thread (what is this alt-country mess you are all talking about? That is not country, it has alt- in front!), but go listen to Alabama. At certain points their producer should've been shot, but their stuff is good nonetheless.

Also take a mix of country, Tejano music, and rock and roll, and you will get the Texas Tornados, featuring the genius Flaco Jimenez on accordion. FUCKING AMAZING.

carrotosaurus · « **Reply #24 on:** 04 Feb 2008, 06:53 »

Fuck this new country bullshit.

thebrosef · « **Reply #25 on:** 04 Feb 2008, 07:18 »

My bank account is about to hate me so hard.

Patrick · « **Reply #26 on:** 04 Feb 2008, 07:37 »

www.bittorrent.com
www.mininova.org

thebrosef · « **Reply #27 on:** 04 Feb 2008, 07:37 »

Valid point.

Scandanavian War Machine · « **Reply #28 on:** 04 Feb 2008, 10:41 »

to dispute the "new country sucks" idea, here are my suggestions:

Scott H. Biram
Hank Williams III
Hillstomp
David Allan Coe*

there's more but i just woke up and can't think of any.

*if you get offended easily or can't handle a little tongue-in-cheek racism, i recommend not listening to Mr. Coe

carrotosaurus · « **Reply #29 on:** 04 Feb 2008, 11:07 »

I actually do listen to some new country, but I think you should start from the masters and work your way forward in time.

That being said, I strongly urge you to listen to Doc Watson.

Borondir · « **Reply #30 on:** 04 Feb 2008, 22:37 »

What's with the alt/new country hate? Listen to both...definitely don't neglect the legends, but what kind of musical form is it if it doesn't offer interesting possibilities even now?

and tommydski, I agree, but I would add, get everything gram parson was ever involved with...the gram anthology is a good way to start. Why did he have to die years before I was even born?

714 · « **Reply #31 on:** 04 Feb 2008, 23:21 »

i'm not a HUGE country fan, but i think it sometimes gets more shit than it deserves

if you like simple and beautiful love songs where people sound pretty genuine, many (not all) country ballads can do that without crossing the line to overly cheesy

but then theres always the stupid stuff like songs about cornbread and chicken that makes you want to shoot yourself after listening to them

Patrick · « **Reply #32 on:** 04 Feb 2008, 23:51 »

You've clearly never had my mother's cornbread and chicken.

My Aim Is True · « **Reply #33 on:** 05 Feb 2008, 01:55 »

there's been some good stuff mentioned in this thread.

more-

Steve Earle
Lucinda WIlliams
Waylon Jennings
Lee Hazlewood
CCR
Austin Lucas
Chuck Ragan (not exactly country, but country-ish)
Tim Barry
Del McCoury (bluesgrass)
Porter Wagoner
Johnny Paycheck
Kris Kristofferson
The Mekons (well, has a little country tinge, but is really just quirky British post-punk)
The Byrds (specifically the album "Sweetheart of the rodeo")
Whiskey & Co. (a new band!)
Lucero
Sir Doug & the Texas Tornados
The Heathens (also a new band)

blaha 41 · « **Reply #34 on:** 06 Feb 2008, 13:40 »

emmylou harris - Wrecking Ball

alot of it was cowritten with neil young... so yeah, it's amazing. it also had daniel lanois producing it.

Töys · « **Reply #35 on:** 06 Feb 2008, 15:53 »

Quote from: Scandanavian War Machine on 04 Feb 2008, 10:41

to dispute the "new country sucks" idea, here are my suggestions:

Scott H. Biram
Hank Williams III
Hillstomp
David Allan Coe*

there's more but i just woke up and can't think of any.

*if you get offended easily or can't handle a little tongue-in-cheek racism, i recommend not listening to Mr. Coe

Bummer, you stole my list!

I'd like to add Unkown Hinson and Shooter Jennings though, if I may.

Patrick · « **Reply #36 on:** 06 Feb 2008, 16:01 »

Quote from: My Aim Is True on 05 Feb 2008, 01:55

Steve Earle

You. You show promise.

Quote from: My Aim Is True on 05 Feb 2008, 01:55

Waylon Jennings
CCR
Del McCoury (bluegrass)
Porter Wagoner
Johnny Paycheck

Better, better...

Quote from: My Aim Is True on 05 Feb 2008, 01:55

The Byrds
Sir Doug & the Texas Tornados

GUYS WE HAVE A WINNER

Also, I am going to go out on a limb and say THE BAND.

sean · « **Reply #37 on:** 06 Feb 2008, 16:07 »

Quote from: KimJongSick on 04 Feb 2008, 07:37

www.bittorrent.com
www.mininova.org

Psh. Lame.

www.isohunt.com
http://blogsearch.google.com/

RedLion · « **Reply #38 on:** 06 Feb 2008, 20:10 »

The one and only Jerry Reed.

More specifically, his song "Amos Moses."

imapiratearg · « **Reply #39 on:** 06 Feb 2008, 20:43 »

Okkervil River is country? I thought they were folk and the like?

Johnny C · « **Reply #40 on:** 06 Feb 2008, 23:15 »

On the new album they are rock and fucking roll.

Ng · « **Reply #41 on:** 07 Feb 2008, 04:40 »

I am bad at figuring out what is and isn't country music. Is Smog country music? If it is, then Smog is definitely good country music.

Spinless · « **Reply #42 on:** 07 Feb 2008, 04:56 »

I never got behind Smog. Everything I hear makes me think I should like them, everything I hear when I have tried to play them sounds 'on the ball', but it has just never sounded right to my ears. I can't figure out exactly what it is. Maybe I should try his live show?

Beastmouth · « **Reply #43 on:** 07 Feb 2008, 08:51 »

No one's mentioned Roger Miller? ;_;

His first three albums have some of the best songwriting ever, and he was still pretty alright in the 70s. Then he won a Tony for Huck Finn and kicked the bucket.

And of course, the father of bluegrass, Bill Monroe. He's basically a white Kentucky Miles Davis.

AnonymousNoob · « **Reply #44 on:** 07 Feb 2008, 09:03 »

Good country exists.

It's called folk music.

thebrosef · « **Reply #45 on:** 07 Feb 2008, 10:52 »

Well, that post doesn't seem to make any sense to me. Since, you know, people distinguish between folk and country music for a reason.

imapiratearg · « **Reply #46 on:** 07 Feb 2008, 15:04 »

Quote from: Johnny C on 06 Feb 2008, 23:15

On the new album they are rock and fucking roll.

It's a damn good album, too. I think I like Black Sheep Boy better, though.

leperphiliac · « **Reply #47 on:** 07 Feb 2008, 16:41 »

Lyle Lovett is a weird motherfucker, and his music is too. Listen to I Love Everybody.

Patsy Cline's backing music is sorta cheesy and dated sounding, but the singing is great; she's got a great voice and is definitely worth hearing. Wilco is great. Yankee Hotel Foxtrot is a great album to start with.

IronOxide · « **Reply #48 on:** 07 Feb 2008, 16:43 »

Why has Kieffer not posted in this thread yet? It seems like every time he makes a country music post, I discover another country music artist that I enjoy.

imapiratearg · « **Reply #49 on:** 07 Feb 2008, 16:47 »

I haven't seen him post in a while, now. Where's he been?

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Author Topic: Country music that is good. (Read 23060 times)

thebrosef

thebrosef

Oscaio

thebrosef

thebrosef

thebrosef

thebrosef

Ng

Spinless

AnonymousNoob

thebrosef