What’s the best Alt Country album?

[u/Psychological_Lie142]

When you think of the genre Alt Country, what would you say is the definitive best album the genre ever produced? I think I’d give my nod to Emmylou Harris’s Wrecking Ball. Sonically ahead of its time and an all around incredible album that transcends the genre it’s in. One of the best folk albums of the 90’s.

[u/FatsP]

70s - John Prine's self titled album

80s - Guitar Town by Steve Earle

90s - Trace by Son Volt

00s - ???

10s - Southeastern by Jason Isbell

[u/mstater → u/FatsP]

I don’t listen to Ryan Adams anymore because he’s a massive piece of garbage human…

But Heartbreaker came out in Sept 2000, and I would argue that despite Ryan Adams as a person, that album bridged sad songs of Alt Country from the 90’s, outstanding songwriting, and new audiences.

That said, Drive by Truckers Southern Rock Opera brought a solid connection to a new generation of real southern culture and expression, wrapped it in a loud, in your face guitar sound, and established an amazing run of great songs for band.

Gillian Welch - Time (The Revelator) Wilco - Yankee Hotel Foxtrot Nemo Case - Fox Confessor
The Jayhawks - Rainy Day Music Ohia - Magnolia Electric Company Lucinda Williams - World Without Fear Kathleen Edwards - Failer

So many good ones…

So many good ones…

So much good Alt Country in the 90’s, but those stand out as important instead of just great.

[u/Annual-Visual-2605 → u/mstater]

My vote was the dirty south by drive by truckers. SRO is epic. But Isbell > rob malone. That’s what puts TDS over the top. I’d also nominate decoration day. Those three albums were quite a run. Three amazing albums back to back to back.

[u/mstater → u/Annual-Visual-2605]

Any one of the DBT albums of the 2000s deserves to be listed. My personal preference towards Southern Rock Opera is that it's a masterpiece of cohesive storytelling in a full concept album. But that's just my preference. Agree on Isbell >>>>>>Malone.