the new MECO record "Fading Trails" is one of the best of 2006. The first MECO record (Songs: Ohia - The Magnolia Electric Co.) is excellent as well. Two of my favorite alt-country records.
"What’s Orphans? I don’t know. Orphans is a dead end kid driving a coffin with big tires across the Ohio River wearing welding goggles and a wife beater with a lit firecracker in his ear." - Tom Waits
the new MECO record "Fading Trails" is one of the best of 2006. The first MECO record (Songs: Ohia - The Magnolia Electric Co.) is excellent as well. Two of my favorite alt-country records.
The "Magnolia Electric Co" record should have gotten a grammy. However, if you want the entire experience, you must get the import version that has an extra song titled "The Big Game Is Every Night." It's one of the best on, or not on as the case may be, the record. Also, if you can still find the vinyl version, get it even you don't have a turn table because there is a CD included that is Jason's acoustic demos of all the songs on the record.
i definitely second concretepillow's advice on the Avett Brothers. they are simply manic live. great storytellers. very eccentric and quite passionate. just a cello, banjo, and acoustic electric. and they get these great sounds from it. and their stories will make you laugh, contemplate, nod in agreement, and sometimes just plain confuse you.
also, a somewhat local Orlando band that opened for them, The Heathens, are somewhat in that vein. more cow-punk i would say.
The "Magnolia Electric Co" record should have gotten a grammy. However, if you want the entire experience, you must get the import version that has an extra song titled "The Big Game Is Every Night." It's one of the best on, or not on as the case may be, the record. Also, if you can still find the vinyl version, get it even you don't have a turn table because there is a CD included that is Jason's acoustic demos of all the songs on the record.
yeah I have the demos cd. it's great.
what an album.
"What’s Orphans? I don’t know. Orphans is a dead end kid driving a coffin with big tires across the Ohio River wearing welding goggles and a wife beater with a lit firecracker in his ear." - Tom Waits
I do like Old 97s to an extent, not the best band, but great catchy songs.
If you want to hear the best band you've never heard of, check out Roger Clyne & the Peacemakers. They are a little less country and a little more pop/rock these days, but the album Honky Tonk Union is Southwestern Rock genius. Roger Clyne used to lead the Refreshments (their hit was Banditos "Everybody knows that the world is full of stupid people" as well as the King of the Hill theme). That band dissolved and he started the Peacemakers with guitarists from Gin Blossoms and Dead Hot Workshop and the Refreshments drummer. All Arizona, lots of songs about Mexico, the desert, drinking etc. Americano is also a great album though more catchy rock sorta songs. They still do lots of Refreshments songs, their first album is probably the best catchy basic bar-rock record of the 90s. I've seen them about 13 times and the only band I've seen more is PJ.
azpeacemakers.com
You can thank me later.
ABQ 93, Las Cruces 95, ABQ 98, Bridge School 10/30/99, Lubbock 00, ABQ 00, Denver 03, State College 03, San Diego 03, Vegas 03, PHX 03, D.C. 03, Camden 7/5/03, NYC 7/8/03 + 7/9/03, Vegas 06, San Francisco 7/15/06 + 7/16/06 + 7/18/06, Kansas City 10, EV:ABQ 11/6/12, Chicago 13, PHX 13, Denver 14--PJ24!, Telluride 16, Chicago 8/20/16, Chicago 8/18/18, Denver 20, Phoenix 20
New Mexico Pearl Jam Fans (New Mexico, USA) on Facebook!
If alternative country is music that is sort of country or bluegrass but isn't top 40 Nashville country, then Neil Young is alternative country. He probably invented alt country.
Prarie Wind and the Heart of Gold DVD are very good.
HOB 10.05.2005, E Rutherford 06.03.2006, The Gorge 07.22.2006, Lolla 08.05.2007, West Palm 06.11.2008, Tampa 06.12.2008, Columbia 06.16.2008, EV Memphis 06.20.2009, New Orleans 05.01.2010, Kansas City 05.03.2010
Marah - Someone mentioned them earlier. They're from Philly, not Chi-town. Their last 2 records, as well as Kids in Philly, are excellent.
Blitzen Trapper - If you like a little weirdness thrown in (think Pavement), try their new one, Wild Mountain Nation. Also has sort of a 70s AM radio vibe to it.
Lucero - My new favorite band at the moment. I cannot believe they haven't been mentioned in this thread yet. Check out their first 3 records (MadJack label). You will not regret it all. One of the best voices I've heard in awhile.
Comments
First:
Townes Van Zandt
http://www.townesvanzandt.com/
http://launch.groups.yahoo.com/group/AboutTownes/
Second:
Neko Case
http://www.nekocase.com/
http://launch.groups.yahoo.com/group/NekoCase/
Third:
Jason Molina, aka, Songs: Ohia and Magnolia Electric Company
http://www.magnoliaelectricco.com/
http://launch.groups.yahoo.com/group/songsohia/
http://pry.com/songsohia/
the new MECO record "Fading Trails" is one of the best of 2006. The first MECO record (Songs: Ohia - The Magnolia Electric Co.) is excellent as well. Two of my favorite alt-country records.
Will Kimbrough - http://www.willkimbrough.com
the everbodyfields - http://www.myspace.com/theeverybodyfields
Langhorne Slim & the War Eagles - http://www.myspace.com/langhorneslim
In that order respectively.
The "Magnolia Electric Co" record should have gotten a grammy. However, if you want the entire experience, you must get the import version that has an extra song titled "The Big Game Is Every Night." It's one of the best on, or not on as the case may be, the record. Also, if you can still find the vinyl version, get it even you don't have a turn table because there is a CD included that is Jason's acoustic demos of all the songs on the record.
also, a somewhat local Orlando band that opened for them, The Heathens, are somewhat in that vein. more cow-punk i would say.
speaking of cow-punk, where are the supersuckers?
yeah I have the demos cd. it's great.
what an album.
If you want to hear the best band you've never heard of, check out Roger Clyne & the Peacemakers. They are a little less country and a little more pop/rock these days, but the album Honky Tonk Union is Southwestern Rock genius. Roger Clyne used to lead the Refreshments (their hit was Banditos "Everybody knows that the world is full of stupid people" as well as the King of the Hill theme). That band dissolved and he started the Peacemakers with guitarists from Gin Blossoms and Dead Hot Workshop and the Refreshments drummer. All Arizona, lots of songs about Mexico, the desert, drinking etc. Americano is also a great album though more catchy rock sorta songs. They still do lots of Refreshments songs, their first album is probably the best catchy basic bar-rock record of the 90s. I've seen them about 13 times and the only band I've seen more is PJ.
azpeacemakers.com
You can thank me later.
New Mexico Pearl Jam Fans (New Mexico, USA) on Facebook!
Prarie Wind and the Heart of Gold DVD are very good.
Have to mention The Avett Brothers & the everybodyfields.
Sorry.
http://besoundmusic.blogspot.com/
Blitzen Trapper - If you like a little weirdness thrown in (think Pavement), try their new one, Wild Mountain Nation. Also has sort of a 70s AM radio vibe to it.
Lucero - My new favorite band at the moment. I cannot believe they haven't been mentioned in this thread yet. Check out their first 3 records (MadJack label). You will not regret it all. One of the best voices I've heard in awhile.
Yarn: http://www.yarnmusic.net