Print
This List
Email to
a Friend
Best Acts in Contemporary Alt. Country
BESTS 
Tags: Alternative Country, Alt Country, Country, Americana, Best, Contemporary
This is a compilation of the best acts in today's alt country scene. These bands/artists have pioneered, revolutionized, and/or embodied the genre in their own unique way.
| | Ryan Adams/Whiskeytown: Ryan Adams began his career with the group Whiskeytown and together they defined a relatively new genre, bringing it into the musical spectrum. With their albums "Stranger's Almanac" and " Pneumonia" receiving both critical acclaim and a cult following they grew into a highly respected and well recognized group. However, band issues largely stemming from Adam's behavior led to their demise. But from this came Ryan Adam's amazing solo career. His first album "Heartbreaker", while being significantly more folk-based than Whiskeytown, became recognized by some of music's elite, garnering him attention. This paid off when his second studio album "Gold" was released to fairly widespread critical acclaim and popularity. Adams has become one of the most prolific songwriters in the genre. |
| | Uncle Tupelo/Wilco: Uncle Tupelo began as a small-time alt country group fronted by Jar Farrar and Jeff Tweedy. They began recording and quickly became recognized as a strong force in the alt country movement. Their album "No Depression" later led to the publication of a magazine, under the same name, devoted to the genre. However, Farrar left the group and began a solo career fronting alt country groups such as Son Volt and Gob Iron. The remaining members of Uncle Tupelo went on to form Wilco. Wilco is one of the few alt country acts to have been successful in mainstream music and they are widely recognized as being one of the most innovative and unique acts in music. Their music initially started out as the alt country reminiscent of Uncle Tupelo, but as the band evolved so did their music, and they began to incorporate elements of indie rock and experimental, and later progressive rock. |
| | Drive-By Truckers: The Drive-By Truckers are one of the few acts in alt country to fuse elements of hard rock and even hardcore into their music. Known for their quirky and cynical lyrics, powerful instrumentation, and abusive alcoholism, the Drive-By Truckers have gathered a strong cult following while remaining just outside of the mainstream. Their albums "Decoration Day" and "The Dirty South" are usually recognized as being their strongest and best examples of their guitar-driven power rock and American roots based songwriting. |
| | Honorable Mentions: The following acts have either disbanded, haven't received enough attention in the alt country scene, or fuse too many elements of other music to be fully considered alt country. |
| | The Avett Brothers: This up-and-coming group has received well deserved attention and continues to make top tier music. They are more so considered progressive folk than alt country. |
| | Bright Eyes: Once fronted by indie rock idol Conor Oberst, this group significantly helped bring alt country into the mainstream. |
| | Calexico: This group continues to make quality music and fill concert venues with their unique fusion of indie rock and alt country. |
| | My Morning Jacket: This group has become somewhat of an oddity in the alt country scene largely for receiving more recognition in the jam music scene. They nonetheless are a very worthy addition to the alt country spectrum. |
| | Old Crow Medicine Show: This bluegrass group has slowly been receiving more recognition in the music scene for their unique blending of roots music with Americana lyrics. |
| | Son Volt: Fronted by ex-Uncle Tupelo member Jay Farrar, this group has produced great music for the alt country genre but has yet to be fully recognized for their talent. |
Lister:
nick37
Other lists of interest:
Current list rating:
4.50