Ctrl Alt Country Delete

Ok, so I have little backpedaling to do: in my last post, I claimed to not like contemporary country, which is only half-true. I'd rather get a root canal than listen to 90% of the garbage that gets showcased at the CMT awards; however, there are a lot of new artists doing some really great stuff, but by and large, these artists get snubbed by mainstream country listeners/critics. Generally speaking, these acts are bringing country back to its roots, and this is perceived as backward-looking by the purveyors and consumers of major label country music. Given their relegated status vis-à-vis the big money country bands, these artists are often labeled as "Alt Country", which I'm sure doesn't sit well with performers who are putting out music that, in my opinion, is a much more authentic extension of the classic country music of the sort that I showcased in my last mix. Anyway, stepping down from my soapbox, check out my take on new country that doesn't suck.

Alt Country Mix

Btw, iTunes keeps effing up my track order, so I'll reproduce it here:

1. One Little Song – Gillian Welch

2. Sweet Loving Man – Jolie Holland

3. Harvest – James Mercer (of The Shins, Neil Young cover)

4. Free Until They Cut Me Down – Iron & Wine

5. Gone for Good – Iron Horse (Shins cover)

6. When the Stars Go Blue – Ryan Adams

7. Tear Stained Eye – Son Volt

8. Erie Canal – Bruce Springsteen

9. She’s a Jar – Wilco

10. We Never Argue – Lambchop

11. Chinese Translation – M. Ward

12. Look at Miss Ohio – Gillian Welch

13. You Remind Me of Something – Bonnie “Prince “ Billy

14. Train Under Water – Bright Eyes

15. Cold November – The Maldives

16. One More Dollar – Gillian Welch

17. Acuff-Rose – Uncle Tupelo

18. The Galway Girl – Steve Earle

19. Four Winds – Bright Eyes

20. Jolene – The White Stripes (Live Loretta Lynn cover)