Comments on: Grieving Angel (or, What Happened to alt.Country) http://www.aquariumdrunkard.com/2008/03/03/grieving-angel-or-what-happened-to-altcountry/ Los Angeles based mp3 & music blog Wed, 23 Jul 2008 21:16:16 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.0.6 by: Aaron http://www.aquariumdrunkard.com/2008/03/03/grieving-angel-or-what-happened-to-altcountry/#comment-270728 Thu, 08 May 2008 17:47:45 +0000 http://www.aquariumdrunkard.com/2008/03/03/grieving-angel-or-what-happened-to-altcountry/#comment-270728 @ J. Neas (re: #9) - How about Iron & Wine/Calexico's "In the Reins" as "both alt.country and progressive"? That album sounds like nothing else, but is still rooted firmly in alt.country. And of course (shameless plug) there's the upcoming release by the <a>Lost Cartographers on <a href="http://imaginarychicago.com" rel="nofollow">Imaginary Chicago Records</a>. :-) @ J. Neas (re: #9) - How about Iron & Wine/Calexico’s “In the Reins” as “both alt.country and progressive”? That album sounds like nothing else, but is still rooted firmly in alt.country.

And of course (shameless plug) there’s the upcoming release by the Lost Cartographers on Imaginary Chicago Records. :-)

]]> by: runaway dorothy http://www.aquariumdrunkard.com/2008/03/03/grieving-angel-or-what-happened-to-altcountry/#comment-261634 Sat, 03 May 2008 16:51:52 +0000 http://www.aquariumdrunkard.com/2008/03/03/grieving-angel-or-what-happened-to-altcountry/#comment-261634 No way it's dead. I totally disagree. You just aren't looking hard enough for. It's growing every where. You stop in to any tiny little bar in South Carolina and you ain't gonna see american idol music on the stage. Now I will agree with you that we have our bandwagon jumpers. But last time I checked we didn't own this music. I've lived in South all my life and grew up with the country music my dad played on the 8 track player in our Ford Thunderbird. You might be mad that it's indie kids playing the music that they have no direct ties to. And i get mad about it to. I just saw a band in play in Brooklyn the other night that was playing 'alt-country' and claiming to be from Georgia. I don't think so boys. Now I will tell you what I am fuming about. I ain't gonna have the chance to be on the cover of 'No Depression'. runaway dorothy New York, NY 10009 [em] dave@runawaydorothy.com [ww] runawaydorothy.com [ms] myspace.com/runawaydorothy [blg] runawaydorothy.blogspot.com No way it’s dead. I totally disagree. You just aren’t looking hard enough for. It’s growing every where. You stop in to any tiny little bar in South Carolina and you ain’t gonna see american idol music on the stage. Now I will agree with you that we have our bandwagon jumpers. But last time I checked we didn’t own this music. I’ve lived in South all my life and grew up with the country music my dad played on the 8 track player in our Ford Thunderbird. You might be mad that it’s indie kids playing the music that they have no direct ties to. And i get mad about it to. I just saw a band in play in Brooklyn the other night that was playing ‘alt-country’ and claiming to be from Georgia. I don’t think so boys. Now I will tell you what I am fuming about. I ain’t gonna have the chance to be on the cover of ‘No Depression’.

runaway dorothy
New York, NY 10009

[em] dave@runawaydorothy.com
[ww] runawaydorothy.com

[ms] myspace.com/runawaydorothy
[blg] runawaydorothy.blogspot.com

]]> by: umbrella http://www.aquariumdrunkard.com/2008/03/03/grieving-angel-or-what-happened-to-altcountry/#comment-210702 Fri, 21 Mar 2008 21:57:25 +0000 http://www.aquariumdrunkard.com/2008/03/03/grieving-angel-or-what-happened-to-altcountry/#comment-210702 yeah. alt.country is dead. move on to the next big thing and leave the music to the people who never needed to define it in the first place. i hear american idol is the next new alt.american thing: good luck; and, thanks for stopping in to drink all our beer and eat all our ribs. don't worry, we've saved the good stuff until you've gone home. drive safe now, say hi to martha quinn. yeah. alt.country is dead. move on to the next big thing and leave the music to the people who never needed to define it in the first place. i hear american idol is the next new alt.american thing: good luck; and, thanks for stopping in to drink all our beer and eat all our ribs. don’t worry, we’ve saved the good stuff until you’ve gone home. drive safe now, say hi to martha quinn.

]]> by: TBOTCOTW » Blog Archive » The end of alt-country http://www.aquariumdrunkard.com/2008/03/03/grieving-angel-or-what-happened-to-altcountry/#comment-209426 Thu, 20 Mar 2008 16:54:14 +0000 http://www.aquariumdrunkard.com/2008/03/03/grieving-angel-or-what-happened-to-altcountry/#comment-209426 [...] You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your ownsite. [...] […] You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your ownsite. […]

]]> by: Philip Garcia http://www.aquariumdrunkard.com/2008/03/03/grieving-angel-or-what-happened-to-altcountry/#comment-193154 Sun, 09 Mar 2008 17:53:31 +0000 http://www.aquariumdrunkard.com/2008/03/03/grieving-angel-or-what-happened-to-altcountry/#comment-193154 As others have noted, the "alt.country" scene is far from dead. It might be evolving, but when you look at some recent albums by Marah, Drive-By Truckers, Gary Louris, etc you will see that the scene is flourishing. I personally wouldn't be surprised to see the Trucker's "Brighter Than Creations Dark" rank up there with Stranger's Almanac in another 10 years (is that blasphemous to say?). Even more telling to the genre, is the fact that last year we saw one of the greatest "alt.country" tours EVER, when The Drams, Glossary, Grand Champeen, and Two Cow Garage teamed up for their "THIS is American Music" tour. In my opinion, that tour defines what "alt.country" is. From the hard rocking replacementsesque songs, to more country staples, to watching all the band members cram onto a tiny stage to cover Tom Petty's "American Girl". Maybe alt.country is evolving, but after seeing that show, THIS is definitely American Music. Phil As others have noted, the “alt.country” scene is far from dead. It might be evolving, but when you look at some recent albums by Marah, Drive-By Truckers, Gary Louris, etc you will see that the scene is flourishing. I personally wouldn’t be surprised to see the Trucker’s “Brighter Than Creations Dark” rank up there with Stranger’s Almanac in another 10 years (is that blasphemous to say?).

Even more telling to the genre, is the fact that last year we saw one of the greatest “alt.country” tours EVER, when The Drams, Glossary, Grand Champeen, and Two Cow Garage teamed up for their “THIS is American Music” tour. In my opinion, that tour defines what “alt.country” is. From the hard rocking replacementsesque songs, to more country staples, to watching all the band members cram onto a tiny stage to cover Tom Petty’s “American Girl”. Maybe alt.country is evolving, but after seeing that show, THIS is definitely American Music.

Phil

]]> by: Satisfied '75 http://www.aquariumdrunkard.com/2008/03/03/grieving-angel-or-what-happened-to-altcountry/#comment-192215 Fri, 07 Mar 2008 19:18:56 +0000 http://www.aquariumdrunkard.com/2008/03/03/grieving-angel-or-what-happened-to-altcountry/#comment-192215 I would just like to point out that Josh did not once, in the above post, use the word "dead". he is merely looking back at a genre whose most, er, popular period seems, at least for now, behind it. yes, i could easily rattle off 20 or so artists carrying the torch, and i am glad for it, but that was not the point of josh's piece. as always, appreciate the hearty comments. keep 'em coming. - A.D. I would just like to point out that Josh did not once, in the above post, use the word “dead”. he is merely looking back at a genre whose most, er, popular period seems, at least for now, behind it. yes, i could easily rattle off 20 or so artists carrying the torch, and i am glad for it, but that was not the point of josh’s piece.

as always, appreciate the hearty comments. keep ‘em coming.

- A.D.

]]> by: Kelly http://www.aquariumdrunkard.com/2008/03/03/grieving-angel-or-what-happened-to-altcountry/#comment-192133 Fri, 07 Mar 2008 17:54:13 +0000 http://www.aquariumdrunkard.com/2008/03/03/grieving-angel-or-what-happened-to-altcountry/#comment-192133 Can we please stop with the declarations of demise and the need for difinitive beginnings and ends. To suggest that a form of music is dead is to suggest that it was a passing phase or fad. Alt. Country or Americana isnt dead, it's merely evolved and possibly different than in the supposed glory days. The above commenter mentioned Lucero and Todd Snider, another quoted Brian from The Bottle Rockets. Those acts, along with Reckless Kelly out of Austin, among others are still producing works that shine as examples of "Alt. Country". Will there ever be another Stranger's Almanac? Maybe, maybe not. Will there ever be another "Damn the Torpedoes"? If not, does that mean there will never be another great rock record? Who's to say what album is or isnt another version of any great album from the past? I know, it's all subjective, but please stop searching for some misguided form of closure, just because advertisers have stopped seeing the incentive to place ads in a magazine that has a niche readership or that you may feel the current crop of albums in thie made-up genre arent up to the level of certain great albums form the past. Can we please stop with the declarations of demise and the need for difinitive beginnings and ends. To suggest that a form of music is dead is to suggest that it was a passing phase or fad. Alt. Country or Americana isnt dead, it’s merely evolved and possibly different than in the supposed glory days. The above commenter mentioned Lucero and Todd Snider, another quoted Brian from The Bottle Rockets. Those acts, along with Reckless Kelly out of Austin, among others are still producing works that shine as examples of “Alt. Country”. Will there ever be another Stranger’s Almanac? Maybe, maybe not. Will there ever be another “Damn the Torpedoes”? If not, does that mean there will never be another great rock record? Who’s to say what album is or isnt another version of any great album from the past? I know, it’s all subjective, but please stop searching for some misguided form of closure, just because advertisers have stopped seeing the incentive to place ads in a magazine that has a niche readership or that you may feel the current crop of albums in thie made-up genre arent up to the level of certain great albums form the past.

]]> by: j. neas http://www.aquariumdrunkard.com/2008/03/03/grieving-angel-or-what-happened-to-altcountry/#comment-192112 Fri, 07 Mar 2008 17:34:04 +0000 http://www.aquariumdrunkard.com/2008/03/03/grieving-angel-or-what-happened-to-altcountry/#comment-192112 Here here for mentioning Caleb Caudle who is pretty fantastic. I'm from his neck of the woods here in NC and saw him do a great job opening for Jason Isbell back in the fall. Same when American Aquarium opened for Isbell in December. Both good bands/artists. Here here for mentioning Caleb Caudle who is pretty fantastic. I’m from his neck of the woods here in NC and saw him do a great job opening for Jason Isbell back in the fall. Same when American Aquarium opened for Isbell in December. Both good bands/artists.

]]> by: Eli http://www.aquariumdrunkard.com/2008/03/03/grieving-angel-or-what-happened-to-altcountry/#comment-192106 Fri, 07 Mar 2008 17:24:56 +0000 http://www.aquariumdrunkard.com/2008/03/03/grieving-angel-or-what-happened-to-altcountry/#comment-192106 i just read this article, which slightly upset me...as I am a huge fan of alt. country or no depression or whatever the hell you want to call it and would prefer it was still very much alive, the article was persuasive and I was starting to believe it and then... i read all the posts below that reminded me of some things- the Drive-By Truckers just put out there best album (more country than ever), Ryan Adams (though some may call it look warm Dead) is returning to some of his roots, though I thought Easy Tiger was a little too polished, and Gary Louris and Mark Olson have both put out solid to great solo records (Olson's in particular was a favorite of min) with a duo album set for release later this year.... also I have discovered a couple of really great bands down here in the Carolina's including NC's American Aquarium as well as Caleb Caudle and the Bayonets and in my home state of SC we have American Gun, Josh Roberts and the Hinges, and Cary Ann Hearst and the Gun Street Girls.... other smaller artists like Todd Snider and Lucero continue to reach higher and higher on subsequent albums without abandoning their alt. country roots..... there are also older artists who are only now starting to record some great music, check out Phil Lee (Nashville) or Sam Baker (Austin).... i just read this article, which slightly upset me…as I am a huge fan of alt. country or no depression or whatever the hell you want to call it and would prefer it was still very much alive, the article was persuasive and I was starting to believe it and then…

i read all the posts below that reminded me of some things- the Drive-By Truckers just put out there best album (more country than ever), Ryan Adams (though some may call it look warm Dead) is returning to some of his roots, though I thought Easy Tiger was a little too polished, and Gary Louris and Mark Olson have both put out solid to great solo records (Olson’s in particular was a favorite of min) with a duo album set for release later this year….

also I have discovered a couple of really great bands down here in the Carolina’s including NC’s American Aquarium as well as Caleb Caudle and the Bayonets and in my home state of SC we have American Gun, Josh Roberts and the Hinges, and Cary Ann Hearst and the Gun Street Girls….

other smaller artists like Todd Snider and Lucero continue to reach higher and higher on subsequent albums without abandoning their alt. country roots…..

there are also older artists who are only now starting to record some great music, check out Phil Lee (Nashville) or Sam Baker (Austin)….

]]> by: Ride Along For Taylor Swift’s Hendersonville Boy Tour -- The 9513 http://www.aquariumdrunkard.com/2008/03/03/grieving-angel-or-what-happened-to-altcountry/#comment-191998 Fri, 07 Mar 2008 16:22:55 +0000 http://www.aquariumdrunkard.com/2008/03/03/grieving-angel-or-what-happened-to-altcountry/#comment-191998 [...] J. Neas touches on the brief history of what is known as alt-country and says the coincidental deluxe edition re-issue of Whiskeytown’s Stranger’s Almanac and demise of No Depression’s print magazine makes the changing of the guard “visible and obvious.” (via Twang Nation) [...] […] J. Neas touches on the brief history of what is known as alt-country and says the coincidental deluxe edition re-issue of Whiskeytown’s Stranger’s Almanac and demise of No Depression’s print magazine makes the changing of the guard “visible and obvious.” (via Twang Nation) […]

]]> by: Peter Blackstock http://www.aquariumdrunkard.com/2008/03/03/grieving-angel-or-what-happened-to-altcountry/#comment-189407 Thu, 06 Mar 2008 16:33:14 +0000 http://www.aquariumdrunkard.com/2008/03/03/grieving-angel-or-what-happened-to-altcountry/#comment-189407 >> Someone should write the book. >> http://www.amazon.com/Best-No-Depression-Writing-American/dp/0292709897/ref=pd_bbs_sr_6?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1204821148&sr=8-6 :-) >>
Someone should write the book.
>>

http://www.amazon.com/Best-No-Depression-Writing-American/dp/0292709897/ref=pd_bbs_sr_6?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1204821148&sr=8-6

:-)

]]> by: Hidden Track » Bloggy Goodness: I Want My P4K TV http://www.aquariumdrunkard.com/2008/03/03/grieving-angel-or-what-happened-to-altcountry/#comment-189403 Thu, 06 Mar 2008 16:30:28 +0000 http://www.aquariumdrunkard.com/2008/03/03/grieving-angel-or-what-happened-to-altcountry/#comment-189403 [...] Aquarium Drunkard asks - what happened to alt.country [...] […] Aquarium Drunkard asks - what happened to alt.country […]

]]> by: Danny Yau http://www.aquariumdrunkard.com/2008/03/03/grieving-angel-or-what-happened-to-altcountry/#comment-189053 Thu, 06 Mar 2008 12:15:36 +0000 http://www.aquariumdrunkard.com/2008/03/03/grieving-angel-or-what-happened-to-altcountry/#comment-189053 Lovely piece. I remember altcountrytabs.com did a great poll of the greatest alt.country albums - with Trace by Son Volt on top. Perhaps an interesting time to do that again, now that the 'era' is gone, and a bit of time has passed. Would Trace still be on top? Would tangental albums like Silver Jews make the list? And how about the Scud Mountain Boys? The Old 97s? or the second string like Minibar and Marah...very interesting. Someone should write the book. Lovely piece. I remember altcountrytabs.com did a great poll of the greatest alt.country albums - with Trace by Son Volt on top. Perhaps an interesting time to do that again, now that the ‘era’ is gone, and a bit of time has passed. Would Trace still be on top? Would tangental albums like Silver Jews make the list? And how about the Scud Mountain Boys? The Old 97s? or the second string like Minibar and Marah…very interesting. Someone should write the book.

]]> by: chris http://www.aquariumdrunkard.com/2008/03/03/grieving-angel-or-what-happened-to-altcountry/#comment-187423 Wed, 05 Mar 2008 21:31:16 +0000 http://www.aquariumdrunkard.com/2008/03/03/grieving-angel-or-what-happened-to-altcountry/#comment-187423 I think it's a little misleading to say No Depressions next issue will be there last, if they are going to continue on the web (which is what I gather from Peter Blackstock's comment). Otherwise nice thought provoking piece. I probably agree more with Henneman, but I will pull out s. almanac and listen. I suspect there wasnt too much progressive about it, it was just a great record in a style that had been neglected for a while. but I could be wrong. I think it’s a little misleading to say No Depressions next issue will be there last, if they are going to continue on the web (which is what I gather from Peter Blackstock’s comment). Otherwise nice thought provoking piece. I probably agree more with Henneman, but I will pull out s. almanac and listen. I suspect there wasnt too much progressive about it, it was just a great record in a style that had been neglected for a while. but I could be wrong.

]]> by: Kathy http://www.aquariumdrunkard.com/2008/03/03/grieving-angel-or-what-happened-to-altcountry/#comment-187262 Wed, 05 Mar 2008 17:21:57 +0000 http://www.aquariumdrunkard.com/2008/03/03/grieving-angel-or-what-happened-to-altcountry/#comment-187262 Alt-country isn't dead; you just need to know where to look. Mainstream radio may have moved on to "the next big thing", but college stations and community radio, who can play what they want, will continue to spin tracks. Years from now the genre will "discovered" again. Until then, long live Johnny Cash, the Bottle Rockets, Lucinda Williams, and Neko Case Alt-country isn’t dead; you just need to know where to look.

Mainstream radio may have moved on to “the next big thing”, but college stations and community radio, who can play what they want, will continue to spin tracks. Years from now the genre will “discovered” again. Until then, long live Johnny Cash, the Bottle Rockets, Lucinda Williams, and Neko Case

]]> by: heather http://www.aquariumdrunkard.com/2008/03/03/grieving-angel-or-what-happened-to-altcountry/#comment-187259 Wed, 05 Mar 2008 16:55:05 +0000 http://www.aquariumdrunkard.com/2008/03/03/grieving-angel-or-what-happened-to-altcountry/#comment-187259 you are impressing the socks off of me. how do you do this on the road? you are magical. you are impressing the socks off of me. how do you do this on the road? you are magical.

]]> by: j. neas http://www.aquariumdrunkard.com/2008/03/03/grieving-angel-or-what-happened-to-altcountry/#comment-187233 Wed, 05 Mar 2008 15:54:58 +0000 http://www.aquariumdrunkard.com/2008/03/03/grieving-angel-or-what-happened-to-altcountry/#comment-187233 I'll concur with the argument that this is, perhaps, a hibernation period for 'alt-country.' My intention wasn't necessarily to say that the genre is dead, but that it hit its stride a while ago and hasn't really picked up the pace in any ways. Great music still comes out, but perhaps not the stuff that ends up being legendary for being unique and progressive. I really appreciate the great comments about this. You guys have had me reflecting on this piece a lot since I wrote it. I’ll concur with the argument that this is, perhaps, a hibernation period for ‘alt-country.’ My intention wasn’t necessarily to say that the genre is dead, but that it hit its stride a while ago and hasn’t really picked up the pace in any ways. Great music still comes out, but perhaps not the stuff that ends up being legendary for being unique and progressive.

I really appreciate the great comments about this. You guys have had me reflecting on this piece a lot since I wrote it.

]]> by: NinaS http://www.aquariumdrunkard.com/2008/03/03/grieving-angel-or-what-happened-to-altcountry/#comment-187219 Wed, 05 Mar 2008 15:32:06 +0000 http://www.aquariumdrunkard.com/2008/03/03/grieving-angel-or-what-happened-to-altcountry/#comment-187219 Oh, Please!!!! The legacy and greatness of Johnny Cash doesn't need any movie or karaoke to even try to do him justice. They can't!!! Johnny was great in and of himself. If I play Ring of Fire on a silent jukebox during a mid-day drunk at Wafflehouse, does that make him less or more one of the great artists of my lifetime? NO. He's one of a handful of artists that will always retain a purity of true great talent regardless of trends or whatever else comes down the pike. Oh, Please!!!! The legacy and greatness of Johnny Cash doesn’t need any movie or karaoke to even try to do him justice. They can’t!!! Johnny was great in and of himself. If I play Ring of Fire on a silent jukebox during a mid-day drunk at Wafflehouse, does that make him less or more one of the great artists of my lifetime? NO. He’s one of a handful of artists that will always retain a purity of true great talent regardless of trends or whatever else comes down the pike.

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