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Country Music: I don't get it (1 Viewer)

Insein

Insein

Footballguy
So admittedly I'm coming from a point of view where I didn't listen to a country song till I was much older but to me country music all sounds the same. Rock has many variations to it. Rap and R&b as well. Even the poppy stuff. Maybe it's just the stuff I happen to hear.

Can someone point me to what's considered good country music so I at least can see if I like it or not?

To me they all seem to have the same cadence, general lyric material and twang to the voices. But maybe I'm just not hearing the good stuff and just catch the radio over played songs. I don't know.

So help me out here.

 
I don't think you could start any better than Hank Williams for that authentic Americana sound.

Then you'd go to Johnny Cash.

Then other people smarter than I could help you.

eta* this board is great for country. If you ask about it earnestly, they'll help you.

 
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Listen to Willie Nelson, Drive By Truckers, Lyle Lovett and Brad Paisley and then report back on it all sounding the same.

 
I think you either grew up with it and get it or you think it is garbage. I think the latter but the wife loves it, and living in the Midwest a lot of people love it.

 
Admittedly, a lot of the new guys sound very similar. In the past decade, country music has been dominated by men who dont even wear cowboy hats. :jawdrop:

The country/pop line has been so blurred that I actually laughed when Taylor Swift (who I dont mind) made the announcement that she was leaving country and would be a pop artist.

 
The worst country music out there is what's played on the radio ad nauseum.

I guess it's just like any other genre, you have to dig around to find the good stuff.

 
bentley said:
Hooper31 said:
Insein said:
Johnny Cash I like a bit. Is he considered true country?
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MIscharacterization IMO. Cash is better defined as rockabilly.
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Only if you want to subdivide the genre to the point of irrelevance.
Click to expand...
The same can be done for rock, folk, jazz, etc.

So here's a preview shove it under old-new

Or call it rock or pop or Bach or ####

####### where did we go wrong

Now there's a category for every song

 
It's been mentioned already, but try Zac Brown Band for some good, relatively recent country. As they've put out more albums, they have some songs that have crossed lines into metal, pop, and even jazz. Some great songs by them:

Colder Weather

Knee Deep

Keep Me In Mind (live version?)

Chicken Fried (probably their most famous song)

They also do a stunningly good cover of Dress Blues.

The radio is currently dominated by a bunch of similar sounding guys like Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan, Jake Owen, Cole Swindell, etc. Blake Shelton and Kenny Chesney have a bit of a different sound, but if you don't like the ones just mentioned, you probably won't like those two either.

Darius Rucker (of Hootie fame) has some good songs.

Of some recent top hits, I do like some:

Keith Urban - John Cougar, John Deere, John 3-16

Brantley Gilbert - One Hell of an Amen

ETA: I do like Toby Keith's older stuff as well.

 
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There's more bad than good with new country music it seems, but still some decent artists.

Sturgill Simpson

Miranda Lambert

Jason Isbell

Kacey Musgraves

etc...

 
Dentist said:
I think you either grew up with it and get it or you think it is garbage. I think the latter but the wife loves it, and living in the Midwest a lot of people love it.
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I'd agree with this. I never heard it growing up on the east coast and really wasn't exposed to it until I got to arizona. Very popular here. I think it's trash (aside from some Johnny cash stuff, he's got some songs I like) but others listen to nothing else.

Eta: try listening to "I hung my head" by Johnny cash. I find that the to be the best/most tolerable country song I've ever heard. If you don't like mind, you'll never like any of it.

 
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I agree with those that said that you either grew up with it or you don't like it - especially for the older stuff. My wife grew up in the Pittsburgh suburbs and started listening to it in college. She likes the newer stuff, but she doesn't like much of the older stuff. I grew up in rural VA, so I'll listen to most...but I honestly never got into much of the older, more twangy country. When I start to go "back in time" musically, I'm much more of a "Southern Rock" vibe, kind of like Alabama, CCR, Skynyrd, etc.

I agree that a lot of the popular stuff today is crap, but there is some good stuff mixed in. It's different than the old stuff, but isn't it always? Nothing is an instant classic, but I think in 20 years, people will look back on some stuff and consider it to be "real" country.

 
Fat Nick said:
I agree with those that said that you either grew up with it or you don't like it - especially for the older stuff. My wife grew up in the Pittsburgh suburbs and started listening to it in college. She likes the newer stuff, but she doesn't like much of the older stuff. I grew up in rural VA, so I'll listen to most...but I honestly never got into much of the older, more twangy country. When I start to go "back in time" musically, I'm much more of a "Southern Rock" vibe, kind of like Alabama, CCR, Skynyrd, etc.

I agree that a lot of the popular stuff today is crap, but there is some good stuff mixed in. It's different than the old stuff, but isn't it always? Nothing is an instant classic, but I think in 20 years, people will look back on some stuff and consider it to be "real" country.
Click to expand...
I gravitate to the Southern Rock too. Skynard, Molly Hatchet, CCR, 38 Special, Marshall Tucker Band, Steely Dan.

I've heard people lump Zac Brown in with them so maybe I'll try him to start.

 
Fat Nick said:
I agree with those that said that you either grew up with it or you don't like it - especially for the older stuff. My wife grew up in the Pittsburgh suburbs and started listening to it in college. She likes the newer stuff, but she doesn't like much of the older stuff. I grew up in rural VA, so I'll listen to most...but I honestly never got into much of the older, more twangy country. When I start to go "back in time" musically, I'm much more of a "Southern Rock" vibe, kind of like Alabama, CCR, Skynyrd, etc.

I agree that a lot of the popular stuff today is crap, but there is some good stuff mixed in. It's different than the old stuff, but isn't it always? Nothing is an instant classic, but I think in 20 years, people will look back on some stuff and consider it to be "real" country.
Click to expand...
fair points, but I did not like country growing up near Detroit; yet living in Kansas and the south over the last 16 years has made country grow on me. It goes in waves though, there will be weeks where I can't stand most of it, then weeks where it's most of what I listen to in the car.

Agreed completely that Southern Rock style country is better than the other classic stuff. Seems that's what has influenced most modern country too. But just like rock, some stuff is crap, some is great and then there's most stuff in the middle.

They've been mentioned repeatedly, but Zach Brown, Darius Rucker, and the Drive-By Truckers represent the best of modern country. I'll add Dierks Bently (Good Man Like Me, Domestic, Light and Cold, I hold On) to the list. If you don't like them, you won't like the genre.

 
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Check out some of the super racist stuff. David Allan Coe comes to mind, but I'm sure people who actually like country could steer you to all kinds of stuff I've never heard of. You can't believe this stuff got recorded.

I don't share their views, but the shock value makes it more interesting to me than songs about cheatin' women, vehicles, how much America rules, and alcohol, which basically covers 98% of country music lyrical themes.

 
Insein said:
Fat Nick said:
I agree with those that said that you either grew up with it or you don't like it - especially for the older stuff. My wife grew up in the Pittsburgh suburbs and started listening to it in college. She likes the newer stuff, but she doesn't like much of the older stuff. I grew up in rural VA, so I'll listen to most...but I honestly never got into much of the older, more twangy country. When I start to go "back in time" musically, I'm much more of a "Southern Rock" vibe, kind of like Alabama, CCR, Skynyrd, etc.

I agree that a lot of the popular stuff today is crap, but there is some good stuff mixed in. It's different than the old stuff, but isn't it always? Nothing is an instant classic, but I think in 20 years, people will look back on some stuff and consider it to be "real" country.
Click to expand...
I gravitate to the Southern Rock too. Skynard, Molly Hatchet, CCR, 38 Special, Marshall Tucker Band, Steely Dan.

I've heard people lump Zac Brown in with them so maybe I'll try him to start.
Click to expand...
ZBB is awesome. I have a Pandora station that I started with ZBB, and basically thumbs-down'ed all the newer crap, and thumbs-up'ed a lot of the more southern rock stuff. It's awesome now. A nice mix of ZBB and some 70's stuff.

I know I may take some flack for this from the purists as he's a little over-manufactured, but I love Darius Rucker too. He has, IMO, one of the best pure voices on the music scene. I've just always loved his voice. It's a little Southern Rock, but a little top-100 too...

 
Fat Nick said:
Insein said:
Fat Nick said:
I agree with those that said that you either grew up with it or you don't like it - especially for the older stuff. My wife grew up in the Pittsburgh suburbs and started listening to it in college. She likes the newer stuff, but she doesn't like much of the older stuff. I grew up in rural VA, so I'll listen to most...but I honestly never got into much of the older, more twangy country. When I start to go "back in time" musically, I'm much more of a "Southern Rock" vibe, kind of like Alabama, CCR, Skynyrd, etc.

I agree that a lot of the popular stuff today is crap, but there is some good stuff mixed in. It's different than the old stuff, but isn't it always? Nothing is an instant classic, but I think in 20 years, people will look back on some stuff and consider it to be "real" country.
Click to expand...
I gravitate to the Southern Rock too. Skynard, Molly Hatchet, CCR, 38 Special, Marshall Tucker Band, Steely Dan.I've heard people lump Zac Brown in with them so maybe I'll try him to start.
Click to expand...
ZBB is awesome. I have a Pandora station that I started with ZBB, and basically thumbs-down'ed all the newer crap, and thumbs-up'ed a lot of the more southern rock stuff. It's awesome now. A nice mix of ZBB and some 70's stuff.

I know I may take some flack for this from the purists as he's a little over-manufactured, but I love Darius Rucker too. He has, IMO, one of the best pure voices on the music scene. I've just always loved his voice. It's a little Southern Rock, but a little top-100 too...
Click to expand...
Always wondered what Hootie sounded like in country. I'll try him out.

 
FUBAR said:
Fat Nick said:
I agree with those that said that you either grew up with it or you don't like it - especially for the older stuff. My wife grew up in the Pittsburgh suburbs and started listening to it in college. She likes the newer stuff, but she doesn't like much of the older stuff. I grew up in rural VA, so I'll listen to most...but I honestly never got into much of the older, more twangy country. When I start to go "back in time" musically, I'm much more of a "Southern Rock" vibe, kind of like Alabama, CCR, Skynyrd, etc.

I agree that a lot of the popular stuff today is crap, but there is some good stuff mixed in. It's different than the old stuff, but isn't it always? Nothing is an instant classic, but I think in 20 years, people will look back on some stuff and consider it to be "real" country.
Click to expand...
fair points, but I did not like country growing up near Detroit; yet living in Kansas and the south over the last 16 years has made country grow on me. It goes in waves though, there will be weeks where I can't stand most of it, then weeks where it's most of what I listen to in the car.

Agreed completely that Southern Rock style country is better than the other classic stuff. Seems that's what has influenced most modern country too. But just like rock, some stuff is crap, some is great and then there's most stuff in the middle.

They've been mentioned repeatedly, but Zach Brown, Darius Rucker, and the Drive-By Truckers represent the best of modern country. I'll add Dierks Bently (Good Man Like Me, Domestic, Light and Cold, I hold On) to the list. If you don't like them, you won't like the genre.
Click to expand...
I just posted about Darius before even reading your reply. :thumbup:

I may have to listen to Drive-By Truckers. Haven't heard them...at least not that I'm aware of.

I'm sure it's not 100% based on what you listened to growing up. A big part of it is relatability though. I hear songs about tractors, field parties, big trucks, etc. and it reminds me of home and being a kid growing up in the country. City folk (much like Farmersonly.com) just don't get it...or at least can't relate 1-to-1. Not to say they can't like the music. I had a brief rap phase...I liked the music, but I couldn't relate obviously.

What I've seen a lot of are artists who have an awesome 1st album because it's more "pure" and written from experiences, and then they just get forced into crap by producers and over-commercialization. Florida-Georgia Line is one that comes to mind. I LOVED their 1st album...the music since is just too forced.

 
Evilgrin 72 said:
Check out some of the super racist stuff. David Allan Coe comes to mind, but I'm sure people who actually like country could steer you to all kinds of stuff I've never heard of. You can't believe this stuff got recorded.

I don't share their views, but the shock value makes it more interesting to me than songs about cheatin' women, vehicles, how much America rules, and alcohol, which basically covers 98% of country music lyrical themes.
Click to expand...
Finger ####in' Sally :thumbup:

 
Northern Voice said:
There's more bad than good with new country music it seems, but still some decent artists.

Sturgill Simpson

Miranda Lambert

Jason Isbell

Kacey Musgraves

etc...
Click to expand...
Don't know Lambert or Musgraves, but I like Kacey Chambers. Sturgill and Isbell are fantastic, never mind the fact that between Isbell himself and Sturgill's guitar player you have two of the best lead players around.

I came to country originally through early Son Volt and Wilco. Then Gram Parsons, and more specifically the Return of the Grievous Angel tribute disc from 98 or 99. That blew me away and so I dove into Gram, the Flying Burrito Brothers and the Byrds. Eventually made the rounds. Hank, George Jones, Merle, etc. This new stuff is offensively bad for the most part, though I do find myself paying attention if it's on around me just out of fascination over the sheen on the production. That said, I do love me some TSwizz.

 
Insein said:
So admittedly I'm coming from a point of view where I didn't listen to a country song till I was much older but to me country music all sounds the same. Rock has many variations to it. Rap and R&b as well. Even the poppy stuff. Maybe it's just the stuff I happen to hear.

Can someone point me to what's considered good country music so I at least can see if I like it or not?

To me they all seem to have the same cadence, general lyric material and twang to the voices. But maybe I'm just not hearing the good stuff and just catch the radio over played songs. I don't know.

So help me out here.
Click to expand...
Yes, yes it does.

 
Rich Conway said:
It's been mentioned already, but try Zac Brown Band for some good, relatively recent country. As they've put out more albums, they have some songs that have crossed lines into metal, pop, and even jazz. Some great songs by them:

Colder Weather

Knee Deep

Keep Me In Mind (live version?)

Chicken Fried (probably their most famous song)

They also do a stunningly good cover of Dress Blues.

The radio is currently dominated by a bunch of similar sounding guys like Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan, Jake Owen, Cole Swindell, etc. Blake Shelton and Kenny Chesney have a bit of a different sound, but if you don't like the ones just mentioned, you probably won't like those two either.

Darius Rucker (of Hootie fame) has some good songs.

Of some recent top hits, I do like some:

Keith Urban - John Cougar, John Deere, John 3-16

Brantley Gilbert - One Hell of an Amen

ETA: I do like Toby Keith's older stuff as well.
Click to expand...
Yea none of those Zac Brown songs moved me. Colder Weather is a good slow song. Listened a bit to Darius. I feel him but again nothing grabbed me. I'll keep going.

I guess I grew up with Southern Rock too much. I'm expecting something different.

 
I used to hate country but it's grown on me. Probably because rock is dead. I have a lot of fun going to the concerts with the wife. Those things are packed with trim. :thumbup:

 
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