Tag: country rock

641. Jason Isbell

~ ernopepper ~ Leave a comment

(April 2025) Episode 641 is JASON ISBELL. I had conceived this episode within the “country” genre, but quickly realized Isbell performs in that big space variously called Americana, southern rock, root-rock, alt-country. It might conclude signing in a Southern twang (he’s from northern Alabama) is a reflexive signifier. Whatever the label, Isbell is a gifted songwriter for melody and turn of a phrase, and he has gained wide fame because of it. I tend to prefer his solo recordings to the ones with his band, the 400 Unit, especially his most recent, all-acoustic release, Foxes in the Snow.

Favorite album: Foxes in the Snow

Favorite song: Miles*

Compared to expectations: ↑

Recommendation: Something More than Free, Reunions, Weathervanes, Foxes in the Snow

* not characteristic of most his work, but the opening riff’s homage to Down By the River got me.

582. Cracker

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(July 2024) Episode 582 is CRACKER. Following the eclectic approach of Camper Van Beethoven (episode 61), Dave Lowery went more conventional with Cracker. They got notice as 90s alt-rockers but the albums shift between alt, roots rock, and country-rock. Cracker is fine music: meaning, the songs are satisfying but it’s also not going to get you out of your seat. At times the songs tend to run together, but going through their discography, each album has its own personality, and that keeps it interesting. As do Lowery’s wise-ass vocals.

Favorite album: Kerosene Hat

Favorite song: Get Off This

Compared to expectations: same

Recommendation: For classic 90s alt, the first two albums (Cracker and Kerosene Hat); for a different 00s alt, Forever and Greenland; for curiously enjoyable “California country,” Countrysides and the second disc on Berkley to Bakersfield.

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526. The Youngbloods

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Episode 526 is THE YOUNGBLOODS. You’ll recognize them from the hippie anthem “Get Together.” They are labeled a folk-rock band, staying on the lighter side of the counterculture-era musical spectrum, akin to the Lovin’ Spoonful, the Association and country-ish Byrds. They recorded five albums from 1967-1972. The music is fine, but to me it never coalesces into a musical identity.

Favorite album: The Youngbloods

Favorite song: Get Together

Compared to expectations: ↓

Recommendation: It’s OK to take a pass.

431. Gene Vincent

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(August 2022) Episode 431 is GENE VINCENT. Perhaps not a popular opinion, but I think the sultry “Be-Bop-a-Lula” is better than anything Elvis ever did. You know I’m not a fan of rockabilly, but his early work with the Blue Caps has some genuine appeal. And his influence is indisputable, particularly on the Beatles. He tried a comeback in the late 60s which, while commercially unsuccessful, is surprisingly enjoyable, in the country rock vein of the late Byrds and Flying Burrito Brothers. 

Favorite album: Gene Vincent and the Blue Caps

Favorite song: Be-Bop-a-Lula

Compared to expectations: ↑

Recommendation: mostly of historical interest, but maybe try those later country rock albums

352. Everly Brothers

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(September 2021) Episode 352 is THE EVERLY BROTHERS. Their flawless harmonies gave us pop standards and were immensely influential to the development rock-n-roll.  To my ear, their harmony fit best outside their most popular, early 60s, somewhat bubblegum, period – in an early album of folk songs from an earlier generation (Songs Our Daddy Taught Us), and their later albums of country-rock (Roots). 

Favorite album: Two Yanks in England

Favorite song: Gone, Gone Gone

Compared to expectations: same

Recommendation: if you want to know that music that influenced the music you listen to

348. Gram Parsons

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(August 2021)

(8/15/21) Episode 348 of the “opus project” is GRAM PARSONS.  He’s called the father of country rock, although to my ear a lot of other artists were doing similar things at the time. I also don’t get why his music is called “cosmic.” That said, his mix of country, folk, R&B, soul and rock was influential, and a welcome alternative to the chrome and sap of countrypolitan coming out of Nashville. Austin City Limits basically embodies the Gram Parsons sound.  He also introduced us to Emmylou Harris.

Favorite album: GP

Favorite song: A Song for You

Favorite group album: The Gilded Palace of Sin 

Favorite cover song: Love Hurts (duet with Emmylou)

Favorite folk song: November Nights

Compared to expectations: same

325. The Band

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(March 2021) Episode 325 is THE BAND. Nobody doesn’t love The Band. They brought stories of the working man and the downtrodden — long at the heart of the blues, country and folk — into an unadorned rock format, synthesized into what we now call American roots rock (or more accurately North American roots rock, given that 4/5th were Canadian).  Go watch The Last Waltz too.

Favorite album: The Band

Favorite song: Up On Cripple Creek

Favorite Ballad: It Makes No Difference

Compared to expectations: same

140. The Eagles

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(October 2017) I have completed episode 140 of my “opus project,” in which I listen to a band’s full discography. This edition: the EAGLES. When I did my review of Fleetwood Mac, I could understand how they became Gods of 70s Soft Rock. With this retrospective, I do not get why the Eagles attained the same status. It’s an interesting case study in how to make millions out of mediocrity.

Favorite album: Hotel California

Favorite song: Hotel California

Favorite member: Joe Walsh

Compared to expectations: same

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90. Neil Young

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(July 2016) I have completed episode 90 of my “opus project,” in which I listen to an artist’s full discography. This edition: NEIL YOUNG. Always a huge fan, this review deepened my appreciation. Restlessly prolific (36 studio albums in 46 years), he has ranged from noise rock, folk, country, rockabilly, blues and synth pop. The one constant is that he always pursued what he wanted, not afraid to stick it to the record companies, big corporations and politicians. While there are plenty of forgettable releases, I find him at his best when he is quiet and intimate (Sugar Mountain, Comes a Time, Silver and Gold) or loud and gritty (Cinnamon Girl, Rust Never Sleeps, Greendale).

Favorite album: Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere

Favorite song: Down By the River

Favorite period: 1969-75

Worst period: 1980-88

Worst album: Trans

Goes best with: Crazy Horse

Compared to expectations: ↑

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82. The Byrds

~ ernopepper ~ Leave a comment

(April 2016) I have completed episode 82 of my “opus project,” in which I listen to a band’s complete discography. This edition: THE BYRDS. Very influential, first in the development of folk rock and jangle rock (want proof? listen to Revolver), and later in country rock (and on into the California Sound of the 1970s). Amazingly, they put out 12 albums in 8 years.

Favorite album: Mr. Tambourine Man

Favorite song: I’ll Feel a Whole Lot Better

Worst Album (and title): Byrdmaniax

Compared to expectations:  same

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