The Official Country Music Thread Genre • Page 29

While I have very particular issues with the genre term "classic rock", you have used it successfully to hit the "pique Chris' interest" button

 

I don't like the new Mandolin Orange record as much as their album from last year, which I adored, but it's still worth a listen.

I think I've heard all of those except for Carrie Rodriguez and Darrell Scott. Of the ones I've listened to, my favorites are probably:

Cody Jinks: He's a former heavy metal guy, apparently, though now he's making very country-sounding country. His record is a bit long and samey, but has some really great moments. I'm partial to this one:

Brothers Osborne: This one definitely leans more mainstream, so I'm not sure how you'll feel about it, but I think it's fantastic. Some of the best guitar playing I've heard on any record this year, and a really unique, interesting voice at the center of it. The singles are strong, but the deep cuts sell it. Like this song:

Michael William Morgan: He also leans mainstream, but sort of throwback. He, Jon Pardi, and Cody Johnson (as well as Mo Pitney, who isn't on this list but probably should be) all have a similar thing going on. There are some super emotional songs on this record, which is what sold me on it:

Randy Rogers Band: They're Texas country by way of the Eagles. This album is pretty solid, though I haven't listened to it in awhile. I should revisit it. Love this song:

Most of these are pretty solid, though. Robbie Fulks and Hayes Carll are both great songwriters, and William Tyler is a strong instrumental album. Only one I've listened to that I didn't really like was Jonny Fritz. Even Keith Urban's record had a few tracks I liked a fair amount (though, if you haven't liked his past stuff you can probably skip this one).

John Paul White's record is fantastic. Not as immediate as his Civil Wars stuff, but very good songwriting and perfect for this time of year.

I also did not like that Jonny Fritz record. I heard Taylor Goldsmith was involved, so I was excited to listen, but it did nothing for me.

 

I can vouch for Cadillac Three. They definitely lean more mainstream country and there's a few tracks on their record that wouldn't be out of place on a Dierks Bentley album, but there's some thoroughly enjoyable stuff on there too. Hayes Carll and Robbie Fulks are both great, definitely check those out. Cody Jinks too.

 

I'm not sure I ever finished that Cadillac Three record. I should give that one another shot.

 

Yeah, there's some tracks that are just "pretty good, for mainstream country" but all in all it's mostly solid. It's more the lyrics than anything, in those instances. Jaren Johnston has a voice I really like and there's little to no studio fuckery, so even when they skew more mainstream they still sound like an actual southern rock band.

Kind of ironic though that one of my favorite tracks is the one that features Florida Georgia Line haha. But then again, if their name wasn't appended to the song title you'd have no idea they were anywhere in there.

 

This sounds pretty much exactly like my feelings on the A Thousand Horses album from last year. You ever listen to that?

 

Also, here's something to look forward to early in the New Year. Natalie Hemby, who co-wrote most of the best songs off the new Miranda Lambert album (and who has done a bunch of co-writing for other artists in the past) is releasing her debut on January 13th. I've heard the album and it's gorgeous. Here's the first single:

Hear Natalie Hemby Recall Small-Town Romance in 'Lovers on Display'

 

Never did check that one out, though I always meant to. Them and Blackberry Smoke are two bands whose names keep popping up but I never have taken the time to listen to a full record.

 

Probably not technically "country", but has Bob Woodruff been discussed in this thread? The Year We Tried to Kill the Pain is one of my favorites from 2016

 

More people should check out Becky Warren's album War Surplus from last year. The more I listen to it the more shocked I am by how little attention it has gotten.

Here's a little about the concept behind the album.

"War Surplus tells the story of Scott and June. Two star crossed lovers separated by a war deployment and ultimately torn apart by the person that came home from that war. It’s a story Becky Warren lived first hand having waved goodbye to her husband a mere week after their wedding as he shipped off to Iraq only to meet a new person upon his return. Ultimately, their story ended the way many a vets story ends; divorce. In the years between, Warren, almost gave up writing completely but found her voice and a renewed purpose a couple of years ago and set off upon the arduous task of mixing her real life experiences with some fiction to make an album that is likely both cathartic for her and essential listening for us."

 

I wasn't a big fan of the Brothers Osborne album, but I did listen to two of their songs a lot this year, Stay A Little Longer and Pistol. Great guitars.

Thanks for that Cody Jinks recommendation. I love it.

 

I'm just starting to get into both Sturgill Simpson and Chris Stapleton... those two artists are really starting to change my previously uninformed view of country music. For the first time I'm really feeling the soul in this genre.

 

If you're looking for country recs from last year, there are a whole bunch of them on my top 40!

Craig Manning's Top Albums of 2016 • chorus.fm

 

This record is pretty cool. RIYL The Alternate Routes, Fleetwood Mac, The Avett Brothers

Stream Band of Heathens' Country-Rock New Album 'Duende'

 

I completely forgot about the Robbie Fulks album when making my end of the year list. I saw him live a few nights ago and it reminded me how good his new album is. Alabama at Night and Fare the Well, Carolina Gals are two of the best songs of the year and it was awesome to see the first one get a Grammy nod this year. Cool to see someone get recognition like that at the highest level after almost no recognition over the span of a 30 year career. Highly recommend if you ever get a chance to see him live don't miss it. The stories behind the songs makes them even better and he has a hilarious stage presence.

 

Just checked out Sturgill's SNL videos. The song was abridged slightly, but "Call to Arms" was mind blowing. And that scowl on his face at the end... he knew he and his band killed it.

 

Haha, I noticed that too. Such a fucking stellar performance, and it was cool he had a little Rebel Alliance insignia on his telecaster too. Really pulling for him to win that AOTY Grammy, even though it's probably a long shot.

 

Yeah, he probably won't win, but I'll be pulling for him. Hopefully he gets a chance to give a performance like that on the Grammy stage though.

 

So Jacob Bannon was commissioned to create an Eric Church poster, and it's kind of awesome.

 

Jason Isbell is in the studio? Hurry the hell up.

 

New Cory Branan album April 7th

Hear Cory Branan's Self-Deprecating New Song 'Imogene'

 

The new Charlie Worsham song is fantastic and heartbreaking. Written by Donovan Woods and Abe Stoklasa. Paging @cshadows2887

 

Woods is writing for others now?!?

 

Yeah, he has been for a few years. He also did this:

and this:

Though he cut both himself, too.