I find myself very drawn to the themes of country music, with emphases on rural life, growing up in small towns in the South, the strength and importance of family, community, and church, and beneath it all, a fundamental understanding and appreciation of the influence and importance of one’s environment, the hills, rivers, trees, backyards and front driveways of one’s life. I also really appreciate the embrace of simplicity and hope in the face of adversity (for example, I was listening to a song a few months ago where the chorus was basically like, "yeah, it rained today and my job security is shaky, but I have a reliable truck and my father’s health is holding up and tomorrow I get to play with my sons so life is all right. Actually, if someone could ID that song for me, I’d be grateful; I don’t really remember enough of the lyrics to find it on google). I also like musicality of traditional country music, with the twangy guitarness, and the slow pace of much of it. Right now, “What I Love About Sundays” by Craig Morgan and “I Go Back” by Kenny Chesney are two of my favorite songs, to give you an idea of what I’m looking for. I grew up in the rural south, and now that I live in DC, I sometimes miss (some of ) the values and lifestyle of my hometown, and these songs help overcome homesickness.
However, I find myself turned off by the pro-establishment and rightist political orientations of many of these artists, much of which seeps into their music. It’s not uncommon to hear lyrics that can be paraphrased as, "I love my wife and I love my farm and college football and poker on the weekends and I want nothing more than to live and die in this small town . . . and I also believe in Jesus and war . . . "
So I’m looking for country music that combines the appreciation for small town rural life and the struggles and joys of those people with a more radical, liberal orientation. Kind of Dylanesque, but not so abstract . . . or think Springsteen, except Georgia cotton farms instead of Jersey steel mills. Maybe like a modern Woody Guthrie.
I hope what I clearly explained what I’m looking for, and any suggestions would be welcome. Thanks!
Listen to some John Prine. His “Your Flag Decal Won’t Get You Into Heaven Anymore” was written about Vietnam, but it’s just as pertinent now with regard to Iraq and Afghanistan.
I think the song that you are referring to is Montgomery Gentry’s Lucky Man. I’m not too sure of their leanings… I don’t relate to them politically because I’m pretty sure I don’t have much in common with guys who shoot pet bears.
I’m not entirely sure of their politics, but I like Lucero, especially some of their older albums. They Remind me a bit of Uncle Tupelo in influence and style and their songs are mostly along the traditions of Hank, Johnny, and George. They do have a couple songs about the war.
Thirding Steve Earle, and in that vein, the dear departed Townes Van Zandt, pretty much the Dylan, and forefather, of the TX alt-country movement. Also, The Flatlanders, a triumvirate of great TX artists Butch Hancock, Jimmie Dale Gilmore, and Joe Ely. All have a plethora of great solo albums as well.
From the Flatlanders link, go on up to the New West records homepage, they are a home for other like artists, including Buddy Miller, Stephen Bruton, Drive By Truckers, and the brilliant John Hiatt.
There is plenty of great intelligent music out there with a country twang and sensibility, with all reverence toward the stalwarts od traditional country.
An addition, for a great female country and blues aware singer: Lucinda Williams. She’s got it all; great songwriter, pegs the vocals just right, and is still the coolest alt country gal at around 50. When you hear her, you’ll hear how so many new country gals are trying to get that sound, not so successfully.
A magazine that aids ya in a search for Alt-Country is No Depression.
I know I’m not going as alt-country as others, but Alabama also comes from a generation where being from the south meant something rather different. (kinda)
Son Volt has stayed pretty true to its Uncle Tupelo heritage and certainly is on the left…especially their 2nd to last album, Okemah & the Melody of Riot, which pays homage and tribute to Woody Guthrie.
Similarly, Tim McGraw’s “Live Like You Were Dyin’” is a great affirmation of life in general. True, one line talks about reading the “Good Book,” but overall, the song is about a guy who, faced with is imminent death, finally learns what it is like to live.
Somewhat along the same line is Tom T. Hall’s “Old Dogs, Children, and Watermelon Wine.” Hall suggests that the simple things in life–like old dogs (who care about you even when you make mistakes), children (who are too young to hate), and watermelon wine (which I guess is just plain nice to have) are what really matters in life.
Or you might try Phil Vassar. His “Carlene,” about the nerdy class brain who became a supermodel; or “Just Another Day in Paradise,” about home life; or “Six Pack Summer,” are just about the good things in life in general. Vassar does occasionally deal in matters you’d probably not prefer to hear (“This is God”), but in many ways, he’s pretty simple in his subject matter: home and family and friends are fine things indeed.
It’s like anything – you just have to pick through it to find what you like. I mostly listen to Country music and find that, while there are some rightie-themed songs out there the really obnoxious ones are few enough that they are pretty easily avoided.
Mention of God is going to be much harder to avoid completely, I’m afraid. Spirituality is pretty pervasive in country music and you’d be fast-forwarding through every third song if you tried to avoid it. Myself, although I am an atheist, I don’t mind the god-stuff most of the time. Some of my favorite songs are religiously themed, in fact – just because I like the songs and I can appreciate the theme. Brad Paisley’s When I Get Where I’m Going, for instance – I don’t think I’m going to be able to see my lost loved ones someday, but I sure appreciate the desire to do so.
Some religious country songs are terrible, though – that Jesus Take the Wheel mess, for instance. Don’t judge an artist by one shitty song, though. John Michael Montgomery, who has done lots of great songs, cut one of the all time worst glurgey-religious songs ever – The Little Girl.
For specific suggestions, I asked my son (who is a libertarian atheist and a huge country music fan). He said to tell you Gary Allan is excellent and not nearly as appreciated as he should be. Life Ain’t Always Beautiful, is a great song and pretty much religion-free. Tim McGraw is a solid choice, too – although he has a huge playlist and some of it is shit. When he’s good, though, he’s really good. Finally, George Strait. Can’t go wrong with George – he’s done about a million songs and most of them are good country music.
Another thing you might consider (since you like the twangy stuff) is to go old. George Jones, Conway Twitty, Merle Haggard, Tom T. Hall (a previous mention who is an absolute favorite of mine).
And Don Williams. You will go a long way before you find a better song than Good Ole Boys Like Me.
Even though I’m from NYC, I was touched by Williams’ “That Old Coyote Town,” which tells the story of a small community in West Texas that’s slowly dying.
James McMurtry, Kasey Chambers, Kim Richey, Greg Brown, Patty Griffin, Nanci Griffith are all a little twangy, but without the got-my-dog-in-the-back-of-my-pickup sensibility (not that there’s anything wrong with that).
If you want good old fashioned lefty politics, you might like Iris DeMent. Check out her not so subtle screed Wasteland of the Free.
