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 Sun, 21 Mar 2010 20:53:05 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Vass http://www.aquariumdrunkard.com/2008/03/03/grieving-angel-or-what-happened-to-altcountry/comment-page-1/#comment-963059 Vass Sun, 07 Feb 2010 21:47:00 +0000 http://www.aquariumdrunkard.com/2008/03/03/grieving-angel-or-what-happened-to-altcountry/#comment-963059 No doubt, the Grievous Angel marked the beginning and end of a one-of-a-kind style. I think the most fortunate members of any movement are those who participate without even knowing it. When artists and bands follow their hearts and produce music that comes from a unique blend of perspectives, that's when genres like alt country are born. The minute these styles are labeled and earn a shelf, inevitably others come along and intend to match it. Only the most basic genres can endure forever. Let's face it, all others are just a blend. Have the Crayola colors remained the same over the years, or have they changed from time to time? Only the base colors remain the same. No doubt, the Grievous Angel marked the beginning and end of a one-of-a-kind style. I think the most fortunate members of any movement are those who participate without even knowing it. When artists and bands follow their hearts and produce music that comes from a unique blend of perspectives, that’s when genres like alt country are born. The minute these styles are labeled and earn a shelf, inevitably others come along and intend to match it. Only the most basic genres can endure forever. Let’s face it, all others are just a blend. Have the Crayola colors remained the same over the years, or have they changed from time to time? Only the base colors remain the same.

]]> By: Wednesday Web: Aquarium Drunkard « The Great Leap Forwards http://www.aquariumdrunkard.com/2008/03/03/grieving-angel-or-what-happened-to-altcountry/comment-page-1/#comment-830178 Wednesday Web: Aquarium Drunkard « The Great Leap Forwards Wed, 27 May 2009 11:45:00 +0000 http://www.aquariumdrunkard.com/2008/03/03/grieving-angel-or-what-happened-to-altcountry/#comment-830178 [...] with us – a great, personal look at 80s indie that sent us back to Flying Nun records and Grieving Angel -where the writer makes a claim for the death of the golden age of alt-country (marked by both [...] [...] with us – a great, personal look at 80s indie that sent us back to Flying Nun records and Grieving Angel -where the writer makes a claim for the death of the golden age of alt-country (marked by both [...]

]]> By: Natasha James http://www.aquariumdrunkard.com/2008/03/03/grieving-angel-or-what-happened-to-altcountry/comment-page-1/#comment-595698 Natasha James Sat, 29 Nov 2008 19:38:10 +0000 http://www.aquariumdrunkard.com/2008/03/03/grieving-angel-or-what-happened-to-altcountry/#comment-595698 It's High Time that Americana, or Roots Music...is only what it always has been...a bunch of homegrown music from all over the musical map...country, blues, jazz, celtic, gypsy...all of it need not be so rigidly clung to as to take away what it has always been to begin with...music of the people for the people by the people and you can only write sing and play what you REALLY know...keeping it real, that is what the Americana or Roots "tradition" all boils down to...! It’s High Time that Americana, or Roots Music…is only what it always has been…a bunch of homegrown music from all over the musical map…country, blues, jazz, celtic, gypsy…all of it need not be so rigidly clung to as to take away what it has always been to begin with…music of the people for the people by the people and you can only write sing and play what you REALLY know…keeping it real, that is what the Americana or Roots “tradition” all boils down to…!

]]> By: Aaron http://www.aquariumdrunkard.com/2008/03/03/grieving-angel-or-what-happened-to-altcountry/comment-page-1/#comment-270728 Aaron 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-page-1/#comment-261634 runaway dorothy 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-page-1/#comment-210702 umbrella 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-page-1/#comment-209426 TBOTCOTW » Blog Archive » The end of alt-country 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-page-1/#comment-193154 Philip Garcia 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-page-1/#comment-192215 Satisfied '75 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-page-1/#comment-192133 Kelly 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-page-1/#comment-192112 j. neas 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-page-1/#comment-192106 Eli 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-page-1/#comment-191998 Ride Along For Taylor Swift’s Hendersonville Boy Tour -- The 9513 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-page-1/#comment-189407 Peter Blackstock 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-page-1/#comment-189403 Hidden Track » Bloggy Goodness: I Want My P4K TV 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 [...]

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