Yeah, Tris McCall gets it, I think. I think Wallen's record might make a lotta people uncomfortable, even taking into account his missteps. It's a really good country album, and I think what makes it work is his voice, which is on the edge of what you'd call civilized. It's a voice I recognize very well, having grown up in Tennessee and seen the way certain country people, or disaffected semi-urban country people, look at you if they think you're spouting off about Biden or the Covid or whatever it is they believe you're acting superior about. His voice is that look. The vocal filtering I hear on on for example "865" is to the point, as well--great production. And unsettling.
― Edd Hurt (whatstalker), Wednesday, 29 December 2021 21:52 (two years ago) link
And "Warning" uses trappy production, with also finger snaps, as savvily as any hip-hop-country I've heard lately...
― Edd Hurt (whatstalker), Wednesday, 29 December 2021 21:55 (two years ago) link
"Warning" is a motherfucker of a song.
― So who you gonna call? The martini police (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Wednesday, 29 December 2021 21:59 (two years ago) link
that tris mccall piece is fantastic. thanks for sharing, ALS.
― fact checking cuz, Wednesday, 29 December 2021 23:58 (two years ago) link
Did Jamey Johnson really say all that on The Guitar Song?? Guess I was just listening to the music. *If* Wallen knows that his revenge fantasies are only that (musical evidence?), then he's in better shape than a lot of the people he's said here to speak for---speaking of whom, I'm surrounded by 'em, like Edd, so maybe musical representation, even IF self-aware, seems close to redundant---and McCall is making me think of The Case For Eminem, Art Appreciation lectures back in the day--but maybe I'll give some of the album another shot---nothing I've heard from it makes me want to attempt 32 tracks jeeeeez
― dow, Thursday, 30 December 2021 01:15 (two years ago) link
(I liked hip-hop a lot more than bro country, also at least Eminem had a sense of humor, but---I'll try again.)
― dow, Thursday, 30 December 2021 01:22 (two years ago) link
Although a lot of musical representation comes off as redundant anyway.
― dow, Thursday, 30 December 2021 02:04 (two years ago) link
Yeah, McCall might not be aware that the folks we're surrounded by in thu South might not think their fantasies are fantasies. As Xgau said recently in a piece about country, the representations are hard to escape because the representations *create* the country environment. At least that's what I think he's saying.
― Edd Hurt (whatstalker), Thursday, 30 December 2021 02:56 (two years ago) link
Intoxicants don’t just make people stupid. They corrode morals, too. Give a nonstop supply of whiskey and coke to St. Peter, turn the digital recorder on and roll the camera, and it’s dead certain you’ll catch him saying, or doing, something regrettable, and maybe even cancellable.Citation needed, I think… I’ve never known/believed that drinks & drugs make ppl racist, antisemitic, or whatever else if they’re not like that already. It just loosens their inhibitions. (But maybe I’m wrong.)
― Texas Medicine v. Railroad Gin (morrisp), Thursday, 30 December 2021 03:06 (two years ago) link
You're not
― So who you gonna call? The martini police (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Thursday, 30 December 2021 03:09 (two years ago) link
I know there will be a separate lobbying thread, but I'd be interested if this niche group has any passionate must-vote-for country tracks (or albums) in the ilm poll this year. This is my country SOTY and will be high on my ballot. Only other thing I feel super strongly about is The Marfa Tapes, which I expect to place based on the responses in the Lambert thread.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o5KKh5gFock
― Indexed, Thursday, 30 December 2021 15:14 (two years ago) link
My favorite country / country-adjacent albums this year:
Margo Cilker: PohorylleIngram/Lambert/Randall: The Marta TapesGary Louris: Jump for JoyCharley Crockett: Music City USAVincent Neil Emerson: Vincent Neil EmersonAshley Monroe: RosegoldAlexa Rose: Headwaters
― sctttnnnt (pgwp), Thursday, 30 December 2021 15:20 (two years ago) link
Oh yeah, some excellent picks there, though I still need to check several---keep hearing about Charley Crockett---Meanwhile, I just listened to an artist Edd covered in the Scene, as linked upthread: Jon Byrd, whose Me and Paul features good originals (co-writes and solo), well-chosen covers, good singing, self-accompaniment on that little nylon-string guitar Edd praises, but what really makes it outstanding is all of the above times the pedal steel guitar of Paul Niehaus, def. a subject for further study----same name as a Swiss surgeon, appropriately enough---this gleaming, unstoppable sound keeps coming around Byrd, a big breath-like cycle--and that's it, just two instruments, one voice in between. The damndest thing. "Cash on the Barrelhead" doesn't quite fit, but doesn't disturb the overall vibe. https://jonbyrd1.bandcamp.com/album/me-paulMore conventional, as most country albums would be, is Byrd's Auto Parts. Full combos, maybe from different sessions, and I like it best when the steel player gets plenty of room---is he Niehaus? Who is the effective female duet partner on one track? Who wrote the two songs that sound perfect for Willie Nelson, the one that would be ditto for Gram Parsons? Who else did what? No notes on this one's bandcamp page, or on Byrd's Web site. "Reputation" sounds like one he might have done in his jangle days w Tim Lee and The Windbreakers, but is also a good, neurotic subject for country--and a good little jolt when the narrator suddenly turns and says. "She wants me to tell you---"Sahm's "Be Real" is another excellent cover, with an arrangement close to the original, but how often do you hear that, and as Dave Van Ronk said, sometimes you can do it the way it was done first, or you can do it the wrong way.The cover of Lennon McCartney's "Don't Let Me Down" starts well, gets a little boring. But I do like most tracks quite a bit.https://jonbyrd1.bandcamp.com/album/byrds-auto-parts
― dow, Friday, 31 December 2021 03:30 (two years ago) link
Had been meaning to check out Pohorylle. Solid - thanks!
― Indexed, Saturday, 1 January 2022 15:35 (two years ago) link
Discovered some true gems from the EOY list cycle. From No Depression's top 5, hadn't heard Adia Victoria's A Southern Gothic or Allison Russell's Outside Child - both exceptional works. Also loved the Sierra Ferrell album Long Time Coming (thanks SCM).
It was nice to see Jason Eady's "French Summer Sun" recognized on a few EOY lists. He has been a favorite for many years - a truly gifted songwriter who knows how to say a lot without much, often about subjects already covered ad nauseum.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t1skXt4Q980
― Indexed, Monday, 3 January 2022 14:57 (two years ago) link
Dow, the Jon Byrd "Byrd's Auto Parts" is from 2007. Live these days, he's good if a bit mannered. Another Nashville club regular who isn't very interested in record-making. Much like Davis Raines. Check out Raines' fairly recent song "Dallas" on YouTube. Pretty damn good and the approach is lowkey, much like Byrd's.
― Edd Hurt (whatstalker), Monday, 3 January 2022 15:06 (two years ago) link
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8aGY3dHL2rY
― Edd Hurt (whatstalker), Monday, 3 January 2022 15:11 (two years ago) link
― Edd Hurt (whatstalker), Monday, 3 January 2022 15:12 (two years ago) link
Cool, thx. We've got this now btw lxor.com/ILX/ThreadSelectedControllerServlet?boardid=41&threadid=112512 Starts w Chuck Eddy's 2021 ballot and link also incl. his ballots for all previous/actual Scene polls.
― dow, Monday, 3 January 2022 18:00 (two years ago) link
oops, sorry---here tis, hopefully: Rolling Country 2022
― dow, Monday, 3 January 2022 18:02 (two years ago) link