Alt-Country songs needed

[goheelsweeehoooo]

anything by Whiskeytown, Old 97s, Uncle Tupelo, Son Volt, Wilco would be awesome

[Kilyle]

Would love to see what alt-country is like. Have never really been exposed to it.

Heck, anything country would be good news for me... if I can convince my friends to actually download and/or play it. In lieu of that, there's always my Country Band thread... if this whole rock vs. country fight keeps up, I think country fans are gonna need their own game, and that thread is trying to work out a set list. I know bluegrass could use a showing, but I don't know enough to even find the good bluegrass stuff on YouTube... let alone the other alt-country styles.

So if you're feeling up to it, go post your Top 12 (or whatever) alt-country songs on the Country Band thread. Maybe we can eventually convince the anti-country crowd that the word "country" doesn't mean the genre is the antithesis of rock.

[elfreako]

I vote for Neko Case, and second your motion for Wilco.

I want Loretta Lynn's duet with Jack White "Portland, Oregon" more than anything else. I know it's not exactly alt-country, but man that would kick some serious butt.

[goheelsweeehoooo]

Drown by Son Volt
Drank Like a river by Whiskeytown
Oklahoma by Whiskeytown
Gun by Uncle Tupelo
Factory Belt by Uncle Tupelo
We've Been Had by Uncle Tupelo
New York, New York by Ryan Adams
Casino Queen by Wilco


There's some just off the top of my head

[FatWilma]

My Morning Jacket, Wilco, Kings Of Leon.

the 3 best American bands right now, period

[stink-hole]

Gun by Uncle Tupelo would be awesome.

Wouldn't be alt-country without some Old 97s.

Timebomb, Melt Show, Barrier Reef, Rollerskate Skiiny, Big Brown Eyes, Book of Poems, Stoned and Indefinitely would all be fun older Old 97s tracks to play. Off their new album, Blame It On Gravity, The Fool, Early Morning, The Easy Way and The One would be four great tracks to get in a pack.

They are such a great live show, and isn't that what this is about?

[afterstasis]

the only wilco song i ever cared for was "box full of letters". that'd be nice. i'd definitely go for some whiskeytown though.

[Kilyle]

Hey, since I'm new to alt-country, could anyone who likes the genre please point out the songs I should look up on YouTube? Like the top three, or the top three in a few different branches of alt-country, that I should listen to first just to get a taste for what it's like?

Thanks!

[stink-hole]

Hey, since I'm new to alt-country, could anyone who likes the genre please point out the songs I should look up on YouTube? Like the top three, or the top three in a few different branches of alt-country, that I should listen to first just to get a taste for what it's like?

Thanks!

Search Old 97s on YouTube. There's a ton of good stuff by them on there. Look for songs like "Big Brown Eyes", "Timebomb", "Rollerskate Skinny", "Designs on You" & "BArrier Reef" to get staarted.

They're a great live act. Tell me what you think after you check them out.

[Followell4]

My Morning Jacket, Wilco, Kings Of Leon.

the 3 best American bands right now, period

Amen. These would be great adds.

[Followell4]

Hey, since I'm new to alt-country, could anyone who likes the genre please point out the songs I should look up on YouTube? Like the top three, or the top three in a few different branches of alt-country, that I should listen to first just to get a taste for what it's like?

Thanks!

Check out any Kings of Leon on Youtube.

[Doughoef]

My Morning Jacket, Wilco, Kings Of Leon.

the 3 best American bands right now, period

This would make a great 3 pack but deserves much more!

[Kilyle]

Okay, have listened to two songs so far, and although they're a little more "noisy" than I generally like, I'm interested enough to listen to a few more.

But the thing is... to me, this (Red Morning Light (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pXP37lWxSkU)) sounds enough like a branch of rock that I'm left with two questions.

First, how does this relate to country in the first place?

Secondly, how is it that rock fans can be against the addition of stuff like this? Seriously, are they that turned off by the association with the word "country"?

[Banky71]

I would do just about anything for some Old 97's!!

they should have a fued 6 pack 3 old 97's songs and 3 Whiskeytown songs.

[Followell4]

Okay, have listened to two songs so far, and although they're a little more "noisy" than I generally like, I'm interested enough to listen to a few more.

But the thing is... to me, this (Red Morning Light (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pXP37lWxSkU)) sounds enough like a branch of rock that I'm left with two questions.

First, how does this relate to country in the first place?

Secondly, how is it that rock fans can be against the addition of stuff like this? Seriously, are they that turned off by the association with the word "country"?

It all depends on how you define country. Your OP said alt-country. These guys are generally not considered "country", but they are alternative and are from Tennessee. They play hollow body guitars and the singer has a very distinct drawl. The lyrics tell stories similar to country. Think of it as country on speed.

As for your second question, there are quite a few who would love Kings of Leon in RB and others who don't know who they are would probably like once exposed. They are critically aclaimed and have a pretty sizable following in the US and UK. All 3 of there albums have made Rolling Stones top-25 for the respective year they were released.

[RaginCelt]

Whiskeytown- Excuse me While I Break My Heart Tonite
Son Volt- Windfall

[bierfaht]

Whiskeytown- Excuse me While I Break My Heart Tonite
Son Volt- Windfall

i would love this and waiting to derail or oppenheimer by the old 97s

[ColdRoses23]

It would great to see some of these bands get into the game especially Ryan Adams and any of the different incarnations of his bands that he has been in. Magnolia Mountain, or some songs from even his Rock n Roll album would be cool. There are just so many choices there.

[Kilyle]

Followell4, that does make sense to me. Sorta.

I get the "add a rock feel to" bit, but as far as the drawl and everything, that Red Morning Light reminds me less of country and more of Oldies or very old country, albeit obviously with more energy and more noise (whether or not they're using that noise to good effect, I'm not yet sure).

Reminds me of, say, CCR, um... the Everly Brothers a bit... some other bands that I can't quite name right offhand. Stuff that I used to listen to but haven't for a long time. Stuff from back before the older country artists really separated from rock (or is it vice versa), where either modern genre could look back and say "That's our forefather" and neither would be lying.

[Followell4]

Perhaps they're a little too garage rock for your tastes, but it sounds like you've only listened to one song. Their producer Angelo Petraglia also worked with Brooks & Dunn, Trisha Yearwood and Martina McBride, all country acts. However their influences are more along the lines of Dylan and Neil Young.

[Kilyle]

No, I listened to a few songs and I'm going to listen to more. My comments were regarding that one specific song, although I'm sure they have other stuff that is similar.

And it's not that I disliked it. I dislike a lot of the heavier rock in general, the "pure noise" stuff (though I like over a dozen specific heavier rock songs... mostly by Teräsbetoni), but I don't dislike the sound of rock, I mostly just dislike the ideological content of the lyrics of a large number of rock songs I have encountered. I prefer songs where I don't have to forget what the lyrics mean in order to enjoy the song (although songs like, say, Cold Ethyl I can accept as satire and comedy and otherwise not serious).

So when I'm trying to identify a music genre, I'm honestly trying to identify a music genre. Trying to figure out the elements that have earned it the title. I've spent most of my life listening to "mainstream" country, Oldies, classical, Enya-ish stuff (what I call "vocal dance" and is generally Celtic), kids' music, J-Pop and anime soundtracks, and the pop that they play at the roller rink. Also Eric Clapton and associated artists. Thus, I haven't been greatly exposed to rock, let alone the sub-genres thereof.

So I appreciate your efforts to help me figure this out.

As far as garage rock... I know some of Alice Cooper's early stuff qualifies, since I recall seeing that term multiple times while I was exploring his work. But could you give me a couple links to garage rock songs so I can start exploring them?

P.S. If I'm being too annoying with my questions, let me know. I don't "take hints" easily, but I won't be hurt if you're straight with me (in a polite way).

[FreddyC]

I'm a fan of alt-country. I consider it to be any music that is rooted in classic country rebellion (Haggard, Jennings, Cash) and post punk alternative music (Replacements, Husker Du, Clash).

If you like country music, but are interested in alternative country, then go pick up "Strangers Almanac" by Whiskeytown, "Trace" by Son Volt, or "Tomorrow The Green Grass" by The Jayhawks.

Son Volt: http://youtube.com/watch?v=RcKqNZKoEzQ
http://youtube.com/watch?v=lM-w58JUfbM

Whiskeytown: http://youtube.com/watch?v=ofDTk7j8_WE

Ryan Adams & The Cardinals: http://youtube.com/watch?v=P7WjCTmSm_M

[TheDrummerMan]

Excellent thread! I'd love some Cross Canadian Ragweed, Stoney Larue, Drive-By Truckers and more.

Funny how some will complain about the tag "alt-country" even though this music is more closely related to rock than that screamo metal garbage.

[neckermanncj]

Wilco!!!!!!

[FatWilma]

Excellent thread! I'd love some Cross Canadian Ragweed, Stoney Larue, Drive-By Truckers and more.

Funny how some will complain about the tag "alt-country" even though this music is more closely related to rock than that screamo metal garbage.

i hear that.

it would've been nice if some of these bands had appeared in the soon to be released country dlc, but no, they give us the friggin Dixie Chicks.

[Followell4]

Kings of Leon, My Morning Jacket, Wilco, Drive By Truckers are all welcome!

[pixidrizzl]

I vote for Neko Case, and second your motion for Wilco.

I want Loretta Lynn's duet with Jack White "Portland, Oregon" more than anything else. I know it's not exactly alt-country, but man that would kick some serious butt.

I second everything you said here, especially Neko.

[2stroke]

anything by Whiskeytown, Old 97s, Uncle Tupelo, Son Volt, Wilco would be awesome

I'd be up for any of those. Throw in some Jayhawks, Lucinda Williams, Gear Daddies and Blue Rodeo and I'd be even happier.

[orphankiller74]

I just read on IGN that GH was getting Ryan Adams "Wonderwall". I almost feel sick right now; I never thought my favorite artist would make it in to a rythm game, and then he shows up in GH. Please, please, please get him in Rock Band Harmonix.