By Danny R. Phillips
5 Records you should Hear
A Column by Danny R. Phillips
A new wave of Country music is on the rise, with acts like Sturgill Simpson, Chris Stapleton, and Orville Peck leading the charge. Is this really country or a new mutation on a generation’s old style of music?
While many of the new class worship the Holy Trinity of John, Waylon, and Willie (and rightly so), consideration should be given to 80s and 90s alternative music’s influence as well.
Love must be given to a sub genre that sprang from the blending of alternative, rock and country: the beast known as alternative country.
With this installment of “Records you Should Know”, I present five albums for anyone leaning towards the hayseed side of the musical spectrum.
1. The Flying Burrito Brothers “Guilded Palace of Sin”- Formed by Gram Parsons after his expulsion from The Byrds, The Burritos are quite possibly where it all begins for alt country. Their sound, dubbed Cosmic American Music by the young Parsons, gave us the gem that is “Guilded Palace of Sin,” a record loaded heavy with steel guitar and a country-influenced vibe that would go on to inspire The Eagles, The Replacements, REM, Uncle Tupelo, and many others down the line. Key Tracks: “Sin City” “Dark End of The Street”
2. Wilco “AM”- Released after the collapse of Uncle Tupelo, Wilco’s “AM” featuring former UT bassist Jeff Tweedy, now in the front man position, is a record packed to the gills with country fueled giants. Coming on like a forgotten UT record, Tweedy and the boys break out banjos, an organ, and acoustic and electric guitars, proving that even punk rock fans can have a broken heart. Key tracks: “I Must be High” “Too Far Apart” “Passenger Side” “Box Full of Letters”
3. The Bottlerockets “24 Hours a Day”- The greatest band to hail from Festus, Missouri, The Bottlerockets kicked out a near perfect album of life reflections and regret. Starting with “Kit Kat Clock,” an ode to a silly clock that doesn’t care that time goes by, and ending with “Turn For the Worse,” a song about the desire to bail on a sinking relationship, “24 Hours a Day” is packed with thoughts of young love, life’s doubts, and just wanting to cash it all in and give up. Key tracks: “Indianapolis” “Smokin’ 100s Alone” “Rich Man” “Things You Didn’t Know”
4. Justin Townes Earle “The Good Life”- Standing in the shadow of his father, the great Steve Earle, must have been tough, but it didn’t seem to shake Justin from his path. “The Good Life” is an old school country record for modern times. The songs on the record are equal parts honky tonk heartbreak and levity, swirled together into a musical release that would make Hank Williams, Buck Owens, Ernest Tubb, and Roger Miller very proud. Sadly, Justin died young, leaving behind a body of work that’s impressive beyond his years. Key tracks: “What Do You Do When You’re Lonesome” “Lone Pine Hill” “Far Away in Another Town”
5. The Band “The Band”- What happens when three Canadians join forces with a dude from Hatfield, Arkansas? They become The Band. Starting life as The Hawks and backing Bob Dylan, The Hawks soon became The Band and changed the shape of music forever. Bolstered by Richard Manuel’s haunting organ, and Robbie Robertson’s masterful songwriting, The Band’s debut features now classic tunes like “Up on Cripple Creek” and “The Night They Drove Dixie Down,” sending “The Band” near the top of albums that would later give birth to alternative country as we know it today. Key Tracks: “Rag Mama Rag” “Up on Cripple Creek” “Across the Great Divide”
There you have it kids, the five albums you must hear. You’ve got homework, I gave you a start. Now, start digging.
-Danny R. Phillips
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