The Official Country Music Thread Genre • Page 18

Ugh, yeah I'd be happy to never have to hear Somewhere on a Beach ever again. Maybe I'll come around to Brandy Clark eventually but for now it just isn't hitting me. Also, I kind of want there to be at least one country singer who just hates their small town and can't understand the affinity people have for them haha. Maybe I'll go be the first.

Anyway, while I'm on the subject of things I don't like, I checked out the previews of this Steven Tyler record and jesus CHRIST is it bad. Honestly, dude? You're 68 years old. Stop writing lines like "heart beating like a big bass drum / free falling into your yum yum". I mean, that would be a bad lyric at any age, but...yeah. Ugh. Jesus. You wrote "Dream On", dude.

 

That Margaret Glaspy album is fantastic. One of my favorite discoveries this year. "Memory Street," the title track, "You Don't Want Me" . . . Hard to pick a favorite.

Will definitely check out the other stuff you listed.

 

Yeah, I love it. As a guitarist/guitar nerd I think it's also got some of the coolest guitar work I've heard in a while. Just some really cool, creative riffs and structures.

But yeah, so much good stuff lately. Loving that Luke Bell record a ton.

 

Thanks for all the suggestions! I'll be taking some time to rip through these this weekend. Keep em coming!

 

I just love this song.

 

Bill Eberle has an album out today called Matter & Time. I think people in here would like it a lot.

 

Highly recommend new album from Robert Francis.

 

you thought right. haha. I'm definitely into this, thanks for the rec.

 

Unrelated note: I've been getting more into Eric Church lately. There's still the odd track here and there I'm not a fan of, but even those I feel like if the arrangement was less radio-polished and the lyrics weren't so tacky, I'd be into it. (mostly talking about Talladega, Drink in My Hand, Pledge Allegiance to the Hag etc).

Idk why but "tribute" songs in country have always felt a bit lame to me. I don't know. Like I get that it's a staple of a genre built on tradition and roots and that everyone does them but more often than not it just rubs me wrong. It's almost redundant if that makes sense. And it's so easy to namecheck Johnny Cash or Hank Williams or Merle Haggard, like...you're playing country music. We know you like those guys. Ha. Which is why even the track from the Maren Morris album that people single out as being decent (My Church) irritates me almost as much as the rest of it.

 

I like most of Church's stuff, but Mr. Misunderstood is just on another level for me. I feel like he really just let the songs speak for themselves on that album, instead of trying to make something really radio-friendly (Chief) or trying to be "edgy" (The Outsiders). I also think that album might be the sound of him sort of wandering away from the country music spotlight, and I hope whatever he does next is as artistically-driven.

Tribute songs and name drops don't bother me. I'm sure there are times when it's calculated, but I don't really feel the need to guess at whether or not someone is being genuine with that stuff. Church is actually a pretty perfect example, because he's virtually the country music Brian Fallon when it comes to namechecking albums, artists, and songs. I'd rather enjoy a song like "Springsteen" or "Record Year" than worry about how "easy" or "obvious" the references are.

 

Just had my barber recommend the Southern Gothic Americana playlist on ITunes Music..... Some really really good stuff on there

 

^ agreed, great playlist

 

Daniel Romano is great. His discography is like a mix of old school country and music that sounds like it belongs in a 70s B rate action movie.

 

Yeah, that record came out of nowhere, almost. (Literally, in a physical sense ha). "Knives of New Orleans" might be my favorite thing he's written. I'd say it's definitely his best record, though I like his debut quite a bit too. Parts of it remind me of the first couple Steve Earle records. Chief is definitely his weakest effort, imo. Not too big on anything from that one. Don't hate it at all though

I suppose I know what you mean, and for the most part name drop tracks don't bother me much either, it just seems SO prevalent in country music to the point that it starts to feel a touch stale. Which is why its cool to me when lesser-acknowledged names are referenced. (See: "Django and Jimmie").

Anyway, I finally checked out an Ashley Monroe record today (Like a Rose) and I dig it. Just wish Blake Shelton wasn't anywhere on it but oh well. Song itself isn't bad though.

 

So uh...I actually kind of like some stuff on this Frankie Ballard album?? Was not a fan of anything I'd heard of his in the past but there's some quality tracks on this new one, even if it is still a bit poppy. Opening track almost reminds me of Butch Walker (specifically "Bullet Belt") ha.

On that note, fuck I can't wait for the new Butch Walker album.

 

"Knives" is great. A lot of really solid songwriting on that album, though. I particularly love how sprawling the title track is.

Like a Rose is good, but I think The Blade is considerably stronger. Definitely recommend giving that one a listen.

The Ballard album kind of reminded me of a less good Will Hoge, ha. Parts of it were definitely very listenable.

The new Butch is so good. Easily my favorite album of the year, and maybe his most Nashville-influenced ever.

 

You should check out David Dondero for sure. He taught Connor how to get that warble in his voice. He used to be signed to Team Love records as well. Shooting at the Sun with a Watergun, The Transient and Simple Love are all great albums by him. Also check out Drive-By Truckers. They got that snark and bite you are looking for, and even though they lost Isbell they still have two of the best songwriters in the genre still. Check out Lydia Loveless' Indestructible Machine. She leans heavily on the alt country side, but writes a great song and delivers it with lots of attitude.

 

New Hiss Golden Messenger Oct 3rd! Easily my most anticipated the rest of the year. His last album was my AOTY a few years back and I still play it regularly.

 

I wish it wasn't so far away, but an October release sure does sound fitting for these guys. It might be my most-anticipated release for the rest of the year, excluding Kevin Devine.

 

My day has been made!!!

 

Hiss Golden Messenger is awesome

I think Poor Moon is his best - O Little Light is a glorious song

 

Ha yeah, there's some bright spots. It's still pretty radio-country and has some cring-y moments, but there's promise in there. It's interesting too that (apparently) Bob Seeger's guitarist plays on it, and that it was recorded at Sonic Ranch. If nothing else I think he's got potential to grow into a decent country-rock artist. Taking a look at the songwriter credits, I'm not surprised that the high points have Stapleton's name on them, while the lowest point has Ben Hayslip's name present. That man should be barred from music for life.

So looking forward to Butch. Ugh. I'm surprised we're getting a new one so soon after the last one but I'm not complaining.

 

The name Ben Hayslip wasn't familiar, so I looked him up. Man, dude hasn't written a single decent song, has he?

 

Also, re: Butch Walker. If I get to interview him again, I'd be interested in asking whether or not he considers this album as part of the country scene, so to speak. Last time I talked to him, he kind of bristled at the idea of Afraid of Ghosts being labeled country. But this time around, he debuted a song on Rolling Stone Country, has one track that's a duet with Ashley Monroe, and another track that features Suzanne Santo from HoneyHoney.