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[theinevitable]

So. I have been, for about half a year, obsessed with the live version of "Burning House of Love" on Beyond and Back (the X Anthology). This is a problem, as I do not know anything else with this kind of rock-ish twangy country guitar playing. Do you have any suggestions?

[linnea]

I'm not familiar with that, but I'm a huge fan of alternative/rock/country...

Check out the alt-country stream on Last.fm. My favorite bands that I think you'll like are:

• Son Volt, my absolute favorite band ever. (the lead singer for this band, Jay Farrar, used to be in a band called Uncle Tupelo with Jeff Tweedy from Wilco)

If you have time to check out others...

• Uncle Tupelo
• Songs:Ohia (Jason Molina)
• Billy Bragg & Wilco - Mermaid Avenue (they covered songs written by Woody Guthrie, and the Mermaid Ave. albums are just unfuck*ngbelievable)
• Robert Earl Keen

[KeithHernandez]

I'm not familiar with that, but I'm a huge fan of alternative/rock/country...

Yeah, Son Volt is amazing, especially Trace.  Also, you should get the Uncle Tupelo Anthology.  Then, I recomend the Flatlanders, they are definately my favorite alt country band (more stoned country maybe, before "Alt-Country" was around).  You should get Songs: Ohia and Bonnie Prince Billie for sure, although I don't know how country they are.  I would argue folk, but I would also say they are good.  If you like the Modern Lovers (and you definately should) Jonathan Richman has an album called Jonathan goes country, which is good.  Also, The National is a pretty good kind of new band. 

Also, last, but certainly not least, Big Star is an amazing band. They are who I would consider the start of Alt-rock0country, and personal heroes of Paul Westerberg.  You probably already new that though.  Oh yeah, Wilco- Summerteeth and Being There.  Also again, the Ween country record is amazing.

[littlefallsmets]

Yes, start with Wilco as your gateway drug and work backwards into their more-country-ish early work and side projects... you'll eventually discover how much country you can take in your rock and roll.

I love later career Wilco, possibly in my top ten bands, but I've discovered... I can't take very much country music. Wilco's first album, AM, is just too cornpone for this dude.

The borderline album in that mini-genre for me is Mermaid Avenue Volume One. Some of that album is awesome ("One By One" should be played at all weddings) and some of it is slightly grating deedle-deedle music.

Once you get through there, you should know how much you can take and go from there.

[theinevitable]

yeah, one of my best friends (my best friend in St Louis) loves Wilco with a passion. So. I have heard them.

I downloaded (ie: Bought, Legally) some Son Volt and Uncle Tupelo.

... also Hank Williams, Merle Travis, Chet Atkins, Buck Owens.

also, Apparently some of The Court & Spark's stuff is pretty country-ish. Which I didn't remember.

... which reminds me of Carla Bozulich. Not country by any means, but GOOD LORD LISTEN TO HOW INTENSE THIS WOMAN'S VOICE IS.

[AugustWest]

Check out Marty Robbins.  Also Asleep at the Wheel.

[KeithHernandez]

Yes, Asleep at the Wheel.  I think I saw them at the Woody Guthrie Festival in Okemah, OK.  It also could have been ACL, or maybe even both.  Very good band.

[linnea]

Awesome thread. I love hearing about other alt-country bands that I should check out.

[AugustWest]

This is kind of obvious so I'm a little hesitant to suggest it, but you have checked out the Dead and The Band, right?

[JorgeFabregas]

Yes, start with Wilco as your gateway drug and work backwards into their more-country-ish early work and side projects... you'll eventually discover how much country you can take in your rock and roll.

I love later career Wilco, possibly in my top ten bands, but I've discovered... I can't take very much country music. Wilco's first album, AM, is just too cornpone for this dude.

The borderline album in that mini-genre for me is Mermaid Avenue Volume One. Some of that album is awesome ("One By One" should be played at all weddings) and some of it is slightly grating deedle-deedle music.

Once you get through there, you should know how much you can take and go from there.

AM's problem isn't that it's too country. It just isn't that good. One By One was played at my wedding.

[theinevitable]

Aug-- I have checked out neither of those. I have a bunch of the dead on my computer, though.

[AugustWest]

Aug-- I have checked out neither of those. I have a bunch of the dead on my computer, though.

sigh

[theinevitable]

American Beauty, Anthem of the Sun, The Grateful Dead, Workingman's Dead

are those good places to start?

[AugustWest]

From a Country Rock perspective, Workingman's Dead.  Keep in mind that the Dead are far (faaaaaar) better live than in the studio.  The commercial album I always recommend as an introduction is Europe '72.  Reckoning is also great -- two or three nights of acoustic shows.  If you're into bluegrass at all you should check out "Old and In the Way"  (band name and eponymous album) -- with Jerry Garcia, David Grisman and Vassar Clemens it's hard to go wrong.

As far as The Band goes, it's hard to go wrong.  "The Band" is one of my top five albums (maybe #1).  Music from the Big Pink and The Last Waltz are also fuck*ng great.  The Last Waltz is also the best concert movie evar.  You could also check out Blonde on Blonde to get an idea of what The Band is capable of.

Also, John Prine.

[KeithHernandez]

Yes, yes yes.  DEFINATELY get Blonde on Blonde.  For the band I would recommend Big Pink, but that is really all I have heard (and Last Waltz, but that is live, so?).  Bob Dylan is my hero.  John Prine- John Prine has such classic tracks as Illegal Smile and Your Flag Decal won't Get You into Heaven anymore... Classic.