https://youtu.be/Q6iUHBYZMNw?si=rGZbbIr-x9zyI3Kd

I’m putting together a playlist for an extended group trip in Mexico. Some of it has vacation vibes, some of it prominently mentions Mexico, some other themes of “Sun” & “sunshine”. I’m a little light on alt country in playlist. Help please!

So...I've been thinking about this for awhile, especially as we stand brink of a full changing of the guard. We're blessed to live in an era where people like Bob Dylan, Willie Nelson, James Taylor, Paul Simon, Ramblin' Jack Elliot and Paul McCartney still walk among us. Yet, we all know it's not forever. Many heroes like John Prine, George Jones, Merle Haggard, Kris Kristofferson, Jerry Jeff Walker, Johnny Cash, Billie Joe Shaver and Jimmy Buffett have passed on after full and amazing lives. That's not even to mention the way too early deaths of people like Townes Van Zandt, Gram Parsons, Blaze Foley, Jim Croce and Justin Townes Earle. There's also tragically a significant group of lived-a-full-life-but-should-really-still-be-here people like Jerry Garcia and Tom Petty. Long way of saying many of the greats are dead or fading and it leaves me asking, 'What's next?'

With no disrespect to the middle generation: Lyle Lovett, Jeff Tweedy, Trey Anastasio, Robert Earl Keen, Todd Snider, Chris Knight, etc., or the female greats among us (I see you Dolly, Bonnie and Emmylou), that's a different post for a different day.

With all that as pre-text, I present my top five list of male singer-songwriters with a progressive/alt-county style that are under the age of fifty. My preference prioritizes profoundness of lyric, richness of sound, and general authenticity with a male voice and acoustic guitar. Minimum two solo studio albums over at least a five year period. In order:

1. John Moreland
2. Jason Isbell
3. Ian Noe
4. Joe Pug
5. John R Miller

John Craigie is my honorable mention, but mostly because I've never seen him live like I have the others.

Change my mind.

2024 was an amazing year for new music. Almost every one of my favorite artists released something in some form or fashion I actually sat in my hotel room last week with the name of every 2024 CD purchase I'd made on a ripped up snippet of paper so i could move them around the table top until I was satisfied with my ordering.

In order, here is the ranking of all new 2024 releases that I purchased this year.

1. Thomas Csorba - Windchimes

A lot has changed in Thomas Csorba's life since his last release. Marriage. First child (with a second born in the last month). And his songs all reflect these changes. As Csorba matures with life's changes, so too does his ability to write songs with a strong Isbell-esque mentality. Songs of wonder as he awaits his new child to arrive into the world, songs of love for his wife while also questioning his level of fitness for the love he receives in return. I'm finding that Csorba is the rare artist that live just can't compare to his recorded work. This latest release turns a bit more country-ish, and is easily his strongest release yet. "I am a walking contradiction to this shining band of gold. I'm a broken promise slipping through this hand that she still holds. I'm a house that's bound to give in, that anyone would leave. She's still waiting on the man I said I'd be." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=blsszWcsq_Y

2. Sour Bridges - Down and Out

It's sometime around 1980, maybe 1981. Rode along with mom to the next town to shop. She's in the store loading up the cart full of groceries for the week, but trusted me to hang out in the car with the keys. Turning on the radio to see what's playing. The kind of radio that only plays AM. 2 knobs for volume/tuning plus 6 large rectangular buttons to switch to the saved stations...the kind of buttons that take all of my 8 year old strength to push in. Kachunk. It's the kind of radio with a single speaker on the dash that vibrates the entire dash. I flip through the saved local stations. Kachunk. Kachunk. Kachunk. Nothing but country playing, but it's satisfying all the same. The stations in these parts play lots of 70's country that fills the air and vibrates the dash. On a rare occasion a song can evoke memories from years ago that are completely disassociated with the song itself. On the latest release by the Sour Bridges gang, EVERY song seems to bring forth memories of childhood radio. This is a good thing. Rowdy, drunken songs. Songs of love lost. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O0kTFFL_f2I

3. Beans on Toast - Wild Goose Chase

Self described "Outlaw English Folk Music" artist Jay McAllister puts out a new album every December 1 to celebrate his birthday. The cds are always filled with a gentle, uplifting charm, full of love for his wife and child. Songs that make you feel happy. But not songs that would ever make me put him at the top of my top 10. I was absolutely surprised after getting this one and hearing the first songs. Nothing but Jay singing accompanied with piano. The songs are as uplifting as ever but the simplicity and inquisitiveness of his lyrics adds something all cds before it lacked. "She said 'don't forget to stare out to the stars. Don't worry about the big things while the little things fall apart. Don't forget about the feeling of the ground between your toes. And don't forget the things that deep down you've always known, because it will all be over soon. Don't lose faith in the moon'" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hBy30pxvEU0

4. Kelley Mickwee - Everything Beautiful

Kelley's previous solo cd was an exquisite "Texas Country" piece that was so beautiful that it was shameful it wasn't known by any true country fans. On this disc, however, Kelley brings out her taste in soul music. With an amazing group of backing vocalists and musicians, this one isn't going to top the charts of any country radio station, but anyone who loves a more gospel/soul sound should have it on constant rotation. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sVCkHUh7TOg

5. Melissa Carper - Borned In Ya

Nebraska native turned Austinite released a new stellar album. If you want a taste of that 40s era country while keeping it modern, this is the cd. Her voice is unlike anyone else's and that's a great thing. Fronting her band on upright bass, Melissa sings songs of love, for others, but even more for her pet whom she'd rather be with if it means she can't visit those with fancy furniture that the pet is not allowed to perch upon. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_XD3h2gRRd4

6. Frank Turner - Undefeated

The simple fact that one of my top favorite artists released something this year and it didn't crack the top 5 tells you just how great of a year it was. What happens when a British punk rocker switches to an acoustic guitar and folk elements while keeping the punk mentality? Frank Turner and the Sleeping Souls. Every release of his tells a new story and a new point in his life, which always seems to somehow match the year I'm mentally going through. This one is no different. Frank sings a more mature batch of songs, not one of a man twisted between the need to be on the road while also being at home, but simply accepting where he is today, beginning to face the demons of his youth with new understanding that only adulthood brings, and rebuilding damaged relationships with his father. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zI-o1S9FJl8

7. Old 97's - American Primitive

One of the classic Alt. Country bands releases yet another classic cd. I saw them last month as part of the new release tour. Favorite line from Rhett: "We have a new cd out. We're going to play a few songs from it....don't worry, we know the rules, we'll play the old stuff too". While cd's are always primarily Rhett with a few Murray songs, this one may honestly have my favorite Murray song of all, Chased the Setting Sun. Link below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gkUCvaDENqg

8. Chatham County Line - Hiyo

I admit to knowing nothing about this band. Picked it up on one of those "let's buy anything that looks interesting" cd shopping trips and I'm absolutely not disappointed. A little bluegrass and a little folk lead to a lot of great sounds. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n3oHr701DmM

9. Wonder Women of Country

Kelly Willis, Brennen Leigh, and Melissa Carper? yes please. I actually love this cd. You can tell that three friendly artists are all having a great time with each other. A bit of classic country, a little honkytonk, and sweet, sweet voices. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eyU5EPRSf6U

Jomo and the Possum Posse - Yesterday's Coffee Austin's king of wise puns is back with a slightly more serious album in 2024. Adding some keyboards this time around, Jomo provides a more friendly look to the world and the news events of the day, including a tale of happy coked up hippos running free. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ostJtz0j4Gs

-Others, in order-

12. Josh Ritter - Heaven, or Someplace Nice

Josh Ritter fan. We've travelled more than a few miles across the country to see him live. This one is pretty good but in the field of releases that wowed me, this one didn't quite crack the top 10. Great cd if you are deep in thought. Not great if you want something to sing along to as you drive.

12. Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit - Live from the Ryman Vol 2

Hard to imagine Isbell releasaing anything and it not skyrocketing to my top 5. And I LOVE live cd's. But....I just didn't feel anything new on this over the studio cuts. And this year was far too good of a year for a cd of music that didn't offer me something new.

13. Alejandro Escovedo - Echo Dancing

First off, Alejandro is always hit and miss for me. Some songs on any given release blow me away while others are a bit Meh. This latest release is incredibly artistic. I love his latest version of his song "Wave". Castanuelas is another excellent artistic re-envisioning of his classic Castanets. The CD is full of these beautiful masterpieces. But with that said, can i simply sit through the cd in one sitting? do I feel drawn to listen regularly? No. But I'm glad I purchased it!

14. Ben Folds - Sleigher

I love Ben Folds. I love fun takes on Christmas music. But this one? yawn-ville. So disappointed as I figured I'd absolutely love anything he put out like this. There's a couple of upbeat songs but overall it's very slow and...boring....

Friday, December 13 - Thursday, December 19, 2024

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This may be a long shot, and If not allowed please remove (I didn’t see anything prohibiting in the rules) but I am desperately seeking a ticket to see Ian Noe next Friday in Asheville. I was late to the ticket purchase and it sold out quick. If anyone ends up having one please let me know!!

Anyone else feel that these are often better than the studio versions of songs?

As we all reflect on our favorite music of the year, let us all remember the real winner of 2024

Hey the other day I asked this community to help me ramp up my meta-country playlist:

https://www.reddit.com/r/altcountry/s/uj1xydGu0u

Wow you all delivered. The list is now 89 songs long and 5h 23min. Plus you helped me discover some great new (to me at least) artists.

Thank you thank you thank you.

My list of top albums of the year. Alt Country heavy - but not exclusively so. 2024 was a great year for new music.

This record is one of the year’s best right under your nose out this past Friday. Ben Chapman is the best live show I’ve seen all year and is quietly building one of the best acts in music.

This is really good. Might be an enjoyable record for those who don’t like traditional Xmas music!

https://open.spotify.com/album/2TPEPwyoB9uknpOjAX61bT?si=I4dnBOD_SWmKWh7-6zN4yQ