trebor
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Post by trebor on Sept 8, 2015 8:12:54 GMT -5
TAG Texas / Alternative / Speed-Polka Country Dix Hat Band: "Tell Me" (2015) Album: "Red Dime" (04/28/15) ( iTunes) HomepageI absolutely love this!
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trebor
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Post by trebor on Sept 8, 2015 8:42:32 GMT -5
TAG Country James Johnson: "Another Journey Home" (06/09/15) iTunesI'm starting to really dig this. Was unable to find any useful info on James Johnson. Spotify link added in case you can't access blocked videos; or use the Tor browser to bypass locked content.
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Ten Pound Hammer
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Post by Ten Pound Hammer on Sept 8, 2015 18:49:33 GMT -5
Moving from the "unique song subjects" thread: So in other words you have to be both a stoner and a member of freaking MENSA to understand this song. Or just be Sturgill Simpson. I STILL have no idea what the song is about even after reading your analysis because nothing is within a thousand light years of my personal experiences. That's why I don't like alt country much. Songs like this that are so hyper-specific and seem to have no takeaway whatsoever unless you're the one singing them. It's all just a bunch of intellectual navel gazing. Well, I'm not a stoner, nor will I ever be mistaken for a genius. I won't pretend to understand every aspect of "Turtles", but I don't feel the song is that impenetrable. To each his own, though. I'm not even that big of a fan of the song in the first place (it's probably my least favorite track on Metamodern Sounds). I'm not sure I understand your point about alt-country being hyper-specific. Many of the mainstream country songs commonly acknowledged as being among the greatest of all-time, from "El Paso" to "Harper Valley PTA" and "He Stopped Loving Her Today" and "He Thinks He'll Keep Her" and "Fancy" and "Travelin' Soldier", describe very specific people and situations that (I presume) the majority of people can not personally relate to. To me, one of the best and most enriching aspects of music (and art in general) is being able to see things from the perspectives of people in times, places, and situations that are different than mine. I don't have to be able to personally relate to a song to get something out of it, but if you feel differently, that's cool. (If you're interested in continuing this discussion, perhaps we should move it to the Alt-Country or some other more appropriate thread, lest we further hijack sabre14's excellent thread.) Andy: At least with most of the songs you mentioned, there is some element that brings the song back to reality. When you boil it down, "Travelin' Soldier" is about two lovers who are separated; "Harper Valley PTA" is about hypocritically judging others; "Fancy" is about a female who grew up in poverty; and so on. Even if the many details of the same aren't instantly relatable, the over-reaching topic is. I've never been separated from a lover by any means, wartime or otherwise, but it's still a general enough theme that I can usually understand where a song with that theme is going, even if its specifics (Vietnam War, male protagonist dying, etc.) aren't necessarily in my field. And it's the over-reaching topic in "Turtles" that I can't even begin to wrap my head around, since it's so far beyond my scope and experience. There is literally no element that I can grab onto in it. I don't put much thought either way into religion, and caffeine is the only drug I use regularly, and those are the broadest, most general themes in this song. That's what gets me about a lot of alt-country; not that the finer details are so nebulous and far-out, but that the "big picture" topic is. To me, it'd be like writing a song on quantum physics, or Scientology, or how Pizza Hut is the best pizza chain: I find the general subject so incomprehensible that I sure as heck am not going to understand any finer details.
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Andy
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Post by Andy on Sept 8, 2015 20:21:48 GMT -5
Very thoughtful (and funny) post. Glad that we're having this stimulating discussion. :) Andy: At least with most of the songs you mentioned, there is some element that brings the song back to reality. When you boil it down, "Travelin' Soldier" is about two lovers who are separated; "Harper Valley PTA" is about hypocritically judging others; "Fancy" is about a female who grew up in poverty; and so on. Even if the many details of the same aren't instantly relatable, the over-reaching topic is. I've never been separated from a lover by any means, wartime or otherwise, but it's still a general enough theme that I can usually understand where a song with that theme is going, even if its specifics (Vietnam War, male protagonist dying, etc.) aren't necessarily in my field. And it's the over-reaching topic in "Turtles" that I can't even begin to wrap my head around, since it's so far beyond my scope and experience. There is literally no element that I can grab onto in it. I don't put much thought either way into religion, and caffeine is the only drug I use regularly, and those are the broadest, most general themes in this song. That's what gets me about a lot of alt-country; not that the finer details are so nebulous and far-out, but that the "big picture" topic is. To me, it'd be like writing a song on quantum physics, or Scientology, or how Pizza Hut is the best pizza chain: I find the general subject so incomprehensible that I sure as heck am not going to understand any finer details. I'm not inclined to argue further in "Turtles"' favor, because I agree, the song is rather trippy. If one doesn't have much knowledge of or interest in religion or drugs, I can easily understand how one might not get much out of it (I can't relate to it much myself). I like the song musically, but I won't be pinning the lyrics on my wall, so to speak. But I'd argue that the song isn't at all representative of non-mainstream country, or even Sturgill himself. Most non-mainstream country songs are about the same things most mainstream country songs are about, or at least used to be about: finding love, losing love, being poor, growing older, having regrets, etc. The lyrics might be a little more complex or might leave some details to the listener's imagination, but it's essentially the same thing. Very rarely will a song call upon the listener to have interest in a narrow subject like "Turtles" does with psychedelic drugs. I'm curious to what non-mainstream artists/songs you've tried and if there's any of it that you like, even if just one song? The non-mainstream world is extremely vast and diverse. No matter what kinds of songs you don't like, there's guaranteed to be many, many songs that are not that. If there's any songs you like, I can probably show you something similar. If you're simply not interested in it at all, that's okay too. :) (As I've mentioned before, I'm not a fan of the term "alt-country", which is a very hazy category that can mean entirely different things in different contexts or to different people. Sometimes it's used in a narrow sense to describe a specific kind of alternative rock sound pioneered by bands like Wilco and Uncle Tupelo, while other times it's used broadly to refer to any kind of country music not played on the radio, meaning that Alan Jackson and Lee Ann Womack would now be considered alt-country, but I digress.)
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 8, 2015 20:41:00 GMT -5
Very thoughtful (and funny) post. Glad that we're having this stimulating discussion. :) Andy: At least with most of the songs you mentioned, there is some element that brings the song back to reality. When you boil it down, "Travelin' Soldier" is about two lovers who are separated; "Harper Valley PTA" is about hypocritically judging others; "Fancy" is about a female who grew up in poverty; and so on. Even if the many details of the same aren't instantly relatable, the over-reaching topic is. I've never been separated from a lover by any means, wartime or otherwise, but it's still a general enough theme that I can usually understand where a song with that theme is going, even if its specifics (Vietnam War, male protagonist dying, etc.) aren't necessarily in my field. And it's the over-reaching topic in "Turtles" that I can't even begin to wrap my head around, since it's so far beyond my scope and experience. There is literally no element that I can grab onto in it. I don't put much thought either way into religion, and caffeine is the only drug I use regularly, and those are the broadest, most general themes in this song. That's what gets me about a lot of alt-country; not that the finer details are so nebulous and far-out, but that the "big picture" topic is. To me, it'd be like writing a song on quantum physics, or Scientology, or how Pizza Hut is the best pizza chain: I find the general subject so incomprehensible that I sure as heck am not going to understand any finer details. I'm not inclined to argue further in "Turtles"' favor, because I agree, the song is rather trippy. If one doesn't have much knowledge of or interest in religion or drugs, I can easily understand how one might not get much out of it (I can't relate to it much myself) . I like the song musically, but I won't be pinning the lyrics on my wall, so to speak. But I'd argue that the song isn't at all representative of non-mainstream country, or even Sturgill himself. Most non-mainstream country songs are about the same things most mainstream country songs are about, or at least used to be about: finding love, losing love, being poor, growing older, having regrets, etc. The lyrics might be a little more complex or might leave some details to the listener's imagination, but it's essentially the same thing. Very rarely will the song a call upon the listener to have interest in a narrow subject like "Turtles" does with psychedelic drugs. I'm curious to what non-mainstream artists/songs you've tried and if there's any of it that you like? The non-mainstream world is extremely vast and diverse. No matter what kinds of songs you don't like, there's guaranteed to be many, many songs that are not that. If there's any songs you like, I can probably show you something similar. If you're not interested in it at all, that's okay too. :) (As I've mentioned before, I'm not a fan of the term "alt-country", which is a very hazy category that can mean entirely different things in different contexts or to different people. Sometimes it's used in a narrow sense to describe a specific kind of alternative rock sound pioneered by bands like Wilco and Uncle Tupelo, while other times it's used broadly to refer to any kind of country music not played on the radio, meaning that Alan Jackson and Lee Ann Womack would now be considered alt-country, but I digress.) I know we have a like button but, this, every word. I prefer to use the term "Americana" rather than alt-country. In the modern world Americana is a code word for Country while Country today is a code word for Pop.
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trebor
4x Platinum Member
Rock this quiet, little country town
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Post by trebor on Sept 10, 2015 8:46:41 GMT -5
TAG Country Marty McIntosh: "Taking Back Country" (2014)
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trebor
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Post by trebor on Sept 11, 2015 14:48:24 GMT -5
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sabre14
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Post by sabre14 on Sept 11, 2015 15:06:43 GMT -5
Gord just expanded his deal with Ole publishing as well trebor. :)
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trebor
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Rock this quiet, little country town
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Post by trebor on Sept 11, 2015 15:39:52 GMT -5
TAG Texas / Traditional Country Jestin Pecina: "Cooler Radio" (08/12/15) Independent/Justin PecinaCDBaby
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Ten Pound Hammer
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Post by Ten Pound Hammer on Sept 13, 2015 12:38:23 GMT -5
But I'd argue that the song isn't at all representative of non-mainstream country, or even Sturgill himself. Most non-mainstream country songs are about the same things most mainstream country songs are about, or at least used to be about: finding love, losing love, being poor, growing older, having regrets, etc. The lyrics might be a little more complex or might leave some details to the listener's imagination, but it's essentially the same thing. Very rarely will a song call upon the listener to have interest in a narrow subject like "Turtles" does with psychedelic drugs. Complex or vague lyrics often baffle me because I have no idea what the song is trying to say. I guess that's the main issue. I'm curious to what non-mainstream artists/songs you've tried and if there's any of it that you like, even if just one song? The non-mainstream world is extremely vast and diverse. No matter what kinds of songs you don't like, there's guaranteed to be many, many songs that are not that. If there's any songs you like, I can probably show you something similar. If you're simply not interested in it at all, that's okay too. :) Around 2005 I used to listen to a show called "Altville". Off the top of my head, I remember them playing " We Can't Make It Here" by James McMurtry, which sounds like emo, vulgar whining about how the world is going to Hell in a handbasket and we're going to be living in a barren dystopia. Also " The Obscenity Prayer" by Rodney Crowell, which I think is about ego?!? But yeah, those two songs helped cast the image to me that alt-country/Americana is mostly mumbly gravelly voices over stark guitar chords singing about doom and gloom; or just plain weird, opaque, and masturbatory. And what little I've heard from Sturgill, Turtles or otherwise, only seems to be reinforcing this. The show also played more semi-mainstream stuff like "Portland, Oregon", "Fourth of July", or "any Pat Green song not called 'Wave on Wave'", which was generally more my speed. I discussed this on another forum, and a friend linked me to these three songs. I still can't really figure out what Cory's song is even about; I genuinely enjoyed this McMurtry one; and the Corb Lund piece isn't bad either. I think some of it is also a sound thing; so many males in this subgenre have whiny/gravelly voices like this that I find unappealing even if I like the song otherwise.
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Andy
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Post by Andy on Sept 13, 2015 19:23:19 GMT -5
Ten Pound Hammer: I too generally prefer songs that are more straightforward. It's absolutely true that there are non-mainstream country songs that fit the description of being just "plain weird, opaque, and masturbatory". I'm not saying that all non-mainstream country is great; there's good and bad in everything and Sturgeon's Law never stops applying. I didn't particularly care for the Cory Brannan song either really, and I can see why it gave you a negative impression of alt-country. However, in my view, the non-mainstream country that's championed the most usually manages to be intellectually stimulating while still being understandable and down-to-earth. Generally the weirdest stuff falls far on the "not really country at all" spectrum of alt-country and probably wouldn't appeal to country fans in the first place. I guess my point is that while not everything is great, in my opinion there's a vast amount of good stuff that's not on the radio and most of it isn't scary or much different from the best mainstream country. I'll try to recommend you stuff based on what you like so far. Based on the McMurtry and Lund songs, I'd recommend (feeling a little bit of pressure here knowing that my selections could potentially have a dramatic impact on your lifelong relationship with an entire genre of music, lol) the following songs, trying to avoid overly twangy vocals or complex or idiosyncratic lyrics: Ray Wylie Hubbard - If Heaven is Not a Place to Go www.youtube.com/watch?v=XUttj0DZ4N0Jason Eady - Sober on the Weekends www.youtube.com/watch?v=AVfttPdht1sLyle Lovett - Give Me Back to My Heart www.youtube.com/watch?v=8PBWNzctt4YLucinda Williams - I Lost It www.youtube.com/watch?v=WiQVaGdJEMY
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sabre14
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Post by sabre14 on Sept 14, 2015 15:59:10 GMT -5
Canadian Country Music Awards winners: Music Row
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Post by tim on Sept 14, 2015 22:44:03 GMT -5
This album by Austin Plaine is a must listen. It was just released this past Friday and has easily become one of my favorites of the year. You won't be disappointed.
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sabre14
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Post by sabre14 on Sept 15, 2015 16:16:47 GMT -5
Autumn Hill is back at Canadian Country radio with "Return Policy." It's their follow-up to their top 5 single, "Blame."
Debuts at #45 on MB's Canadian Country chart this week.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 15, 2015 20:36:46 GMT -5
I listened to an album called "Southern Surreal" by the Legendary Shack Shakers, and damn....it's weird, but refreshingly weird. Instrumentally speaking, it's the best album I've heard all year. Their sound is so hard to label. It's like country, rock, bluegrass, and blues all mixed together to make a swampy sound. Really cool album! Here's a track from it called "Mud" m.youtube.com/watch?v=ta8GWrxUX34
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trebor
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Post by trebor on Sept 18, 2015 12:34:48 GMT -5
This album by Austin Plaine is a must listen. It was just released this past Friday and has easily become one of my favorites of the year. You won't be disappointed. The video is "private"; cannot get to it even using proxies. Anyway, "Never Come Back Again" is already on my playlist and I love it!
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trebor
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Post by trebor on Sept 18, 2015 12:39:44 GMT -5
Canadian Country Music Awards winners: Music RowQuite happy with these results! :) Congrats to the winners and that everybody got its share in one or other category. :) Tim Hicks deserved a mention, though... :)
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sabre14
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Post by sabre14 on Sept 18, 2015 12:45:57 GMT -5
Canadian Country Music Awards winners: Music RowQuite happy with these results! :) Congrats to the winners and that everybody got its share in one or other category. :) Tim Hicks deserved a mention, though... :) I was hoping Autumn Hill would take home duo or group of the year but High Valley has a more significant year in the eligibility period. Perhaps if "Blame" was released a couple months prior.
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trebor
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Post by trebor on Sept 18, 2015 12:58:31 GMT -5
Quite happy with these results! :) Congrats to the winners and that everybody got its share in one or other category. :) Tim Hicks deserved a mention, though... :) I was hoping Autumn Hill would take home duo or group of the year but High Valley has a more significant year in the eligibility period. Perhaps if "Blame" was released a couple months prior. Right. Completely forgot about "Autumn Hill". :) "High Valley" are/were massive this year and pretty insurmountable; so I'm glad that Brad & Curtis won. :)
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Post by Deleted on Sept 19, 2015 15:34:25 GMT -5
Everyone should listen to the Turnpike Troubadours's new album. That is all
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onebuffalo
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Post by onebuffalo on Sept 23, 2015 10:18:46 GMT -5
I thought sabre14 made an Airwaves thread by Brett Kissel. Anyway, it is the #1 song in Canada this week. Imagine that, a Canadian artist topping their own chart.
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sabre14
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Post by sabre14 on Sept 23, 2015 13:40:29 GMT -5
Imagine that, a Canadian artist topping their own chart. It actually doesn't happen very often; only a handful of times over the past couple years ("Bounty", "When Your Lips Are So Close", "Wastin' Gas").
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onebuffalo
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Post by onebuffalo on Sept 23, 2015 13:45:25 GMT -5
Imagine that, a Canadian artist topping their own chart. It actually doesn't happen very often; only a handful of times over the past couple years ("Bounty", "When Your Lips Are So Close", "Wastin' Gas"). Their Canadian problem can be likened to our female problem.
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sabre14
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Post by sabre14 on Sept 23, 2015 13:49:48 GMT -5
It actually doesn't happen very often; only a handful of times over the past couple years ("Bounty", "When Your Lips Are So Close", "Wastin' Gas"). Their Canadian problem can be likened to our female problem. Well, many of them achieve top 10 and 20 singles but most can't break that 5-7 range.
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onebuffalo
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Post by onebuffalo on Sept 24, 2015 11:31:53 GMT -5
Their Canadian problem can be likened to our female problem. Well, many of them achieve top 10 and 20 singles but most can't break that 5-7 range. Had to go back to my 2013 thread. Imagine that, two Canadians topping the chart consecutively: November 23, 2013: When Your Lips Are So Close-Gord Bamford November 30, 2013: Bounty-Dean Brody
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trebor
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Post by trebor on Sept 25, 2015 9:34:21 GMT -5
Gord Bamford: "Don't Let Her Be Gone" (2015) [CCMA Awards 2015]
Great song! I'm smitten... Can't wait for the official video release!
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trebor
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Post by trebor on Sept 29, 2015 9:29:49 GMT -5
TAG Australia / Americana / Dirt/Texas / Country Rock Adam Brand and The Outlaws: "Good Year For The Outlaw" (2015) (08/28/15)Adam Brand Enterprises / Australian Broadcasting Corporation Album release scheduled for 01/08/16 ( iTunes AU)
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trebor
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Post by trebor on Sept 29, 2015 9:54:56 GMT -5
TAG Canada / Country Jess Moskaluke: "Kiss Me Quiet" (2015)MDM / ( iTunes CA) (09/25/15)
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trebor
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Post by trebor on Sept 29, 2015 10:01:33 GMT -5
TAG Canada / Country Rock / Crossover Bluegrass Chris Buck Band: "Leave Your Light On" (2015) (07/13/15)Chris Buck Band / iTunes CAChris Buck Band
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trebor
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Post by trebor on Sept 29, 2015 10:07:32 GMT -5
TAG Ireland / Country / Crossover Bluegrass Derek Ryan: "Bendigo" (2015) Sharpe Music Album: "One Good Night" (09/04/15) / iTunes
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