Epip Gate Way

What is Alt Country? Its started as a very narrow sliver of a niche. But as its appeal and influence have grown so too have its defining parameters. It encompasses all music that has a foot in country music but differ from mainstream commercial country music: Roots rock, bluegrass, rockabilly, honky-tonk. But the best way to understand it is to consider the best alt country albums of all time. So, I listened to my music collection, did some additional research, and thought it over carefully. Here are the best alt country albums of all time.

1. Ryan Adams Heartbreaker
On his first solo album after the break-up of Whiskeytown Ryan Adams enlisted the help of Ethan Johns. Johns would go on to become a go-to producer for alt country genre after the success of this album. The songs teeter from spare, minimal arrangements to a full rock band. Its rockabilly (To Be Young Is To Be Sad Is To Be High), its folk rock (Call Me On Your Way Back Home), its punk-meets-honky tonk (Shakedown On 9th St). This is a gateway for alt country and trust me, you’ll be hooked after one listen.

2. Lucinda Williams Car Wheels on a Gravel Road
Her most successful album to date, “Car Wheels…” nails the genre. It borrows from country, rock, the blues, and folk. It is one of those albums that has folks saying “I don’t like country music but I like Lucinda Williams. She’s undeniable and she nailed this album. After years of writer’s block she returned to recording with a timeless, career-defining, epic album.

3. Gillian Welch Time (The Revelator)
Along with her partner, David Rawlings, Gillian Welch has become one of the most revered artists in the genre. They are sought after for guest spots on their contemporary’s albums. This album has them completely stripped down to 2 guitars and features Rawling’s flatpicking with beautiful open note harmonies reminiscent of old time bluegrass music. The songs are well crafted and the performances are amazing.