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Americana
News
Alt-Country Goes Power-Pop: The Death of Alt-Country?
The
Summer of 2006 has witnessed the release of several new CDs from
many of the icons of the musical movement known as "alt.country."
New releases from members of The Jayhawks, Wilco and Slobberbone
reflect the evolution of the music which sparked a revival of
interest in country-rock in the 1990s. But alt.country fans may be
surprised by the new sounds emanating from some of their favorite
bands. Some have even declared the death of alt.country. But
are rumors of alt.country's death greatly exaggerated? First, let's
examine the musical evidence.
Jeff
Tweedy and Gary Louris were members of some of the most important
bands of the alt.country era. Tweedy's work with Uncle Tupelo and
Wilco have helped him to achieve iconic status among alt.country
aficionados. Gary Louris's contributions as a member of The
Jayhawks is held in similar high regard. Since the heyday of
the alt.country movement, both musicians have contributed to the
side project known as Golden Smog. The Smog reappeared this
Summer after an 8 year hiatus with a new CD entitled Another Fine
Day. Much to the surprise of many, however, the "alt.country"
supergroup's new release is far removed from the country-rock roots
of the band's various members. The luscious pop rock of Another
Fine Day represents modern power pop at its best. Of
course, Tweedy and Louis have long abandoned any pretense of being
alt.country artists. Wilco has emerged as one of the most
progressive and critically acclaimed rock bands of this
decade. Meanwhile, Louris guided The Jayhawks toward a more
commercial rock sound after the departure of Mark Olson in 1995. In
this context, Another Fine Day is a natural musical
progression for its various members.
While
Tweedy and Louris were slowly moving away from country-rock in the
later half of the 1990s, Slobberbone were just getting started. The
Texas-based band led by singer/songwriter/guitarist Brent Best never
achieved any degree of commercial success, but their authentic
roots-rock sound endeared them to the hearts of alt.country fans
everywhere. Unfortunately, Slobberbone officially called it
quits in March of 2005. But Best has now joined with
Slobberbone bandmates Tony Harper and Jess Barr to form a new band
called The Drams. Joined by Keith Killoren and Chad
Stockslager, the new group recently released its debut CD entitled Jubilee
Drive. Much like the latest release from Golden Smog, the
Drams' debut CD is a clear embrace of power pop with little regard
to the group's alt.country roots. But is also a powerful collection
of finely crafted songs written by one of the best songwriters of
the alt.country
era.
As
previously noted, the fact that such notable alt.country icons have
adopted a pop rock sound with minimal country influences has not
gone unnoticed by the mainstream music press. On July 16, the
New York Times wrote an article
declaring the death of alt.country. A few weeks later, the Phoenix
chimed in with its own obituary for the music genre.
So
is alt.country really dead? The answer is yes and no. There is
little doubt that the term "alt.country" is dying a slow -
but inevitable - death. But the music represented by the term
is very much alive and well despite the fact that a few of its
original ambassadors have moved on to other musical
styles.
The
decline of the term "alt.country" has been well
documented. Even No Depression magazine has dropped the term
from its tagline. But new terms have been introduced in its
place. Perhaps the most popular term provides the name for
this very website. Slowly but surely, the broader term
"Americana" has begun to emerge as the preferred label.
The
marriage of country, rock and folk has existed since the beginning
of the rock era. Each decade has seen its own variations with
its own terms to describe the musical hybrid. From
"rockabilly," to "Cosmic American Music," to
"country rock," to "cowpunk," to "alt.country,"
to "Americana," the labels change but the musical approach
is part of a consistent theme which will almost certainly
continue. While some alt.country icons may embrace other
musical styles, there will always be a new generation of artists to
fill their shoes. As long as country and rock exist, there
will be an alt.country - or Americana - or whatever label we may use
to describe it.
Jeff
Tweedy and Gary Louris were members of some of the most important
bands of the alt.country era. Tweedy's work with Uncle Tupelo and
Wilco have helped him to achieve iconic status among alt.country
aficionados. Gary Louris's contributions as a member of The
Jayhawks is held in similar high regard. Since the heyday of
the alt.country movement, both musicians have contributed to the
side project known as Golden Smog. The Smog reappeared this
Summer after an 8 year hiatus with a new CD entitled Another Fine
Day. Much to the surprise of many, however, the "alt.country"
supergroup's new release is far removed from the country-rock roots
of the band's various members. The luscious pop rock of Another
Fine Day represents modern power pop at its best. Of
course, Tweedy and Louis have long abandoned any pretense of being
alt.country artists. Wilco has emerged as one of the most
progressive and critically acclaimed rock bands of this
decade. Meanwhile, Louris guided The Jayhawks toward a more
commercial rock sound after the departure of Mark Olson in 1995. In
this context, Another Fine Day is a natural musical
progression for its various members.
While
Tweedy and Louris were slowly moving away from country-rock in the
later half of the 1990s, Slobberbone were just getting started. The
Texas-based band led by singer/songwriter/guitarist Brent Best never
achieved any degree of commercial success, but their authentic
roots-rock sound endeared them to the hearts of alt.country fans
everywhere. Unfortunately, Slobberbone officially called it
quits in March of 2005. But Best has now joined with
Slobberbone bandmates Tony Harper and Jess Barr to form a new band
called The Drams. Joined by Keith Killoren and Chad
Stockslager, the new group recently released its debut CD entitled Jubilee
Drive. Much like the latest release from Golden Smog, the
Drams' debut CD is a clear embrace of power pop with little regard
to the group's alt.country roots. But is also a powerful collection
of finely crafted songs written by one of the best songwriters of
the alt.country
era.
