CD-Charts Position 51
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Brighter Than Creation's Dark

CD-Charts > Music > Alt.Country
by: Drive By Truckers

Release Date January 21, 2008
Sometimes the popular opinion is just correct. Jason Isbell's departure from DBT means the band has lost one-third of its quality. Shonna Tucker, for all her fine musicianly qualities, just doesn't fill his very large shoes (especially live - Isbell had a lot of stage presence; Shonna really doesn't). The first DBT album since Isbell's departure is, therefore, about two-thirds as good as The Dirty South, and about one-third longer than it needed to be. I haven't been so disappointed in a band's new album since some time in the Stone Age. There are a couple of top tracks here (Two Daughters and a Beautiful Wife comes to mind, and so does The Man I Shot), but the extra depth that Isbell used to provide is sadly sadly lacking. I still love DBT, ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 52
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Feast of Wire

CD-Charts > Music > Alt.Country
by: Calexico

Release Date February 10, 2003
Calexico's sound inhabits the frontier badlands of the American Southwest, a cinematic multi-instumental brew that takes in jazz, alt-country, Mariachi, folk and electronics. It's a widescreen affair, a mixture of traditional rootsy Americana ('Quattro') and brooding instrumental mood pieces ('Pepita', 'Across The Wire') that evoke rust and dust choked border towns. Dubbed 'desert-rock' by some, don't be turned off by the Tex-Mex conceit, this is a wonderful album overflowing with ideas; a real grower that rewards repeated listens.

The filmic quality to the music is enhanced by anecdotal and scene-setting lyrics, not to mention Enio Morricone-schooled atmospherics. But they can do breezy west coast pop as well ('Not Even Stevie Nicks') ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 53
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Aha Shake Heartbreak

CD-Charts > Music > Alt.Country
by: Kings of Leon

Release Date March 27, 2006
Calexico's sound inhabits the frontier badlands of the American Southwest, a cinematic multi-instumental brew that takes in jazz, alt-country, Mariachi, folk and electronics. It's a widescreen affair, a mixture of traditional rootsy Americana ('Quattro') and brooding instrumental mood pieces ('Pepita', 'Across The Wire') that evoke rust and dust choked border towns. Dubbed 'desert-rock' by some, don't be turned off by the Tex-Mex conceit, this is a wonderful album overflowing with ideas; a real grower that rewards repeated listens.

The filmic quality to the music is enhanced by anecdotal and scene-setting lyrics, not to mention Enio Morricone-schooled atmospherics. But they can do breezy west coast pop as well ('Not Even Stevie Nicks') ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 54
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Demolition

CD-Charts > Music > Alt.Country
by: Ryan Adams

Release Date May 26, 2003
'Demolition' is Ryan's collection of demo's "left over" from the various recording sessions in Nashville, Los Angeles and Stockholm circa 'Gold'. Indeed, this album seems to be the flipside of his second album proper and is best described as 'a bit of a mixed bag, but mostly good'. On the record he works with backing band the Pinkhearts, Gillian Welch, 'Heartbreaker' collaborator David Rawlings, 'Heartbreaker' and 'Gold' producer Ethan Johns, Carrie Hamilton Chris Stills, Bucky Baxter and Greg Leisz.

Tracks include the pleasant country tracks, but mildly disappointing, 'Desire' and 'Hallelujah', which is nothing more than a second rate 'Firecracker' from 'Gold'. In contrast, acoustic ditties such as the Nick Drake-like 'You Will Always Be The ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 55
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Trampoline

CD-Charts > Music > Alt.Country
by: The Mavericks

Release Date June 18, 1999
This is that jackpot album the Mavericks were waiting for. You'd be forgiven for not having heard of them, as until Trampoline, they used to be filed under Country & Western. Actually the band is from Miami, they just do their thing in Nashville!
With each successive album (and since I discovered Trampoline, I've bought the rest!) they've gone less C&W, and more mainstream. On this one they've added a great horn section to give a latin flavour, and boy do they have fun!
Raul Malo, their lead singer has one of those voices that's clear as a bell, and soars effortlessly into falsetto as Roy Orbison's did, and Chris Isaak's does now. The musicianship from all is absolutely top class on ballads, and the foot tappers.
You must have heard ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 56
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Old Number One/Texas Cookin'

CD-Charts > Music > Alt.Country
by: Guy Clark

Release Date June 13, 1998
Better known as a songwriter, Guy's always-brilliant albums never sold in big quantities. Maybe Guy's voice didn't appeal to mainstream country radio, or maybe his lake of stage presence when performing live counted against him. Although he never became a major star, Guy built up a significant fan base in Britain and America. More significantly, other singers appreciated the quality of his songs and have recorded many of them as well as lending their support on Guy's own recordings. Thus, even if you've never heard any of Guy's own music, you may well have heard some of his songs. This twofer contains Guy's two albums for RCA - the first two albums of his career.

Guy's debut album (Old No 1) occupies the first ten tracks here and is generally regarded as the ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 57
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The Trinity Session

CD-Charts > Music > Alt.Country
by: Cowboy Junkies

Release Date January 29, 1994
I can't think of a single superlative that isn't redundant when describing this album. Quite simply, it's as close to perfection as I think it's possible to get. If you're looking for music to restore a sense of balance and proportion in the world, this is the one.

Margo's voice (one of the sexiest and most expressive I know) combines beautifully with the instruments, at no point is anything overdone, no note is superfluous. Don't be swayed by its categorisation as 'country': this album is about as far removed from duelling banjos as it's possible to be. If you buy just one album this month, buy the Trinity Session - you won't be disappointed.

CD-Charts Position 58
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Another Country

CD-Charts > Music > Alt.Country
by: Tift Merritt

Release Date April 14, 2008
Another Country doesn't actually refer to some kind of re-inventing of Country Music (or Americana in it's other guise) but to the fact that how, in a time of personal turmoil, Tift Merritt emigrated to France. The problems aren't quantified in any great detail, but its clear that the Tift Merritt of her third album is more disillusioned and introspective than the Tift Merritt of her earlier albums.

And whilst one wouldn't wish to inflict such emotional pain onto anyone, it is clear that these problems have gone some way to raising her music up to another level.

There are a handful of up-tempo numbers, Tell Me Something True, with it's Mowton-esque backing is one such highlight, but most of the album is a more subdued affair. It's none the less compelling ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 59
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Fire Songs

CD-Charts > Music > Alt.Country
by: Watson Twins

Release Date June 30, 2008
This wonderful record surpassed all my expectations i built up after listening to their record with Jenny Lewis. It's far softer than i was expecting, but what a lovely slice of Americana.

From the whispery opening of "How am i to be", to the enrapturing "Waves" you know you've been treated to something special.

Buy this album if you enjoyed the Rabbit Fur Coat, or just buy it. You owe it to yourself.

CD-Charts Position 60
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The Mighty Ship

CD-Charts > Music > Alt.Country
by: Angela Desveaux

Release Date September 15, 2008
Angela Desveaux's second solo album is agreeable but very much old time country in the mould of Dolly Parton and Loretta Lynn, mildly infused with Californian rock. Despite her Montreal and Nova Scotia background, Desveaux's musical origins are very much south of the Mason-Dixon Line. While she was championed on her first album (2006's Wandering Eyes) by the likes of Arcade Fire's Howard Bilerman, listeners expecting a more impressionistic (i.e., alt) take on country might find this a little too close to the middle of the road.

The ship imagery of 'The Mighty Ship' might hint at Win Butler's 'great black wave' or other menacing deep sea symbolism, but the sonic signifiers here are very much open highways, scorched asphalt, tumbleweeds, motels and diners - the shoreline palpably ... Read More: