Rainy Day Music before Tomorrow the Green Grass? Really?

-still a great list. both of 'em (must-have and oughtta have). How about a "don't call it americana" list or a "never-have"?

Ed, well, I have to admit I'm not the biggest authority on the Jayhawks through their many phases (see Stacy and Sean instead!), but I wanted to include them. This last album seems to have garnered them a lot of new listeners, though, (including me) and I've heard a few bands (including Chatham County Line) cover songs from this one. And lastly, most of the really attractive single women I've met lately love this album, so there has to be something going for it. ;-) ("Blue" off of Green Grass is one of my favorite songs, though!)

I'm not sure what you mean by a "don't call it Americana" list, and as for the "never-have" list, well, I try to keep things on the positive side. I guess I'm a big believer in that Southern trait of "if you can't say something nice..." ;-)

Whatever, man. I'll work on a never-have list someday. I'll be the bad cop of the site, gimme my badge! :)

i was really only thinking about some artists/bands/CDs I see from time to time being discussed on sites or blogs devoted to americana, or alt-country, or whatever that when I get a chance to listen to I say "what? what's americana about this?"

not trying to be a genre snob, either, 'cause my tastes run quite the gamut, but for newer bands, especially, i always feel like i've been taken when i buy a CD of a band that I think is one thing - based on what I've read, heard others talk about, etc. - and it's so not that. especially when i'm trying to more deeply explore a style of music that's really got me hooked and exuberantly passionate about music again.

for instance, i think it's odd - wrong? - to attempt to lump such bands as the decembrists or modest mouse into an americana or alt-country category, but I see it time and time again.

sorry to be so long-winded. i love what you guys (and 1 gal) are doing here, and it's already helping me grow my collection, and turn me onto things I haven't heard, or only heard about...keep up the great work.

-edmur

Ed -- thanks for the kind words! That's what keeps us going.

And I gotta agree -- Modest Mouse and the Decembrists are definitely not alt country, and Modest Mouse definitely isn't Americana... and the Decembrists... hmmm, I don't know -- not really. But I've definitely talked about them on this site just because I like them. There's something to be said for styles of music that are not the same but yet most people who like one style like the other. It's odd, but happens.

And I know No Depression includes Modest Mouse and the Decembrists and Rilo Kiley (who I love, but is definitely NOT alt country despite the labels on the CD) in their top CD lists every issue. Something's going on there -- these styles definitely seem to appeal to Americana folks.

And don't forget the New Pornographers with Neko Case singing! Americana? No! But I sure like it, and consider it fair game for HickoryWind.org discussion.

Larry, get with the program. I humbly suggest "Everything You Thought Was Right Was Wrong Today" by Slobberbone. The lack of respect when it comes to that band is nearly criminal.

Aside from that, good site.

Amen on Slobberbone, Cody! The former Slobberbone, that is. Sigh.

And Larry, love your open-minded view on music discussed here -- not that Ed was suggesting we take any view otherwise. Hear what you're saying Ed, for sure. But my comment is this: Since we're being so open-minded, can I post about how awesome Justin Timberlake is? Pleeeeeease? :)

Justin Timberlake? NO! Kenny Chesney's abs? Yes... I mean NO! NO!