The 10 Best Americana Albums of 2010
Journey to 2010, a splendid year for Americana. Then again, that’s something you can say just about any year given the sprawling range of sub-genres under Americana's vast umbrella.
Steve Leftridge
Steve Leftridge is a teacher and freelance writer in St. Louis.
The 10 Best Country Albums of 2019
This was a major year for country music. With Lil Nas X, the world saw the shift. But others are helping to move country from near homogeneity to a diverse pastiche.
The 20 Best Americana Albums of 2019
Our Best 20 Americana albums of 2019 are a multicultural, polysexual, cross-genre lineup of cool Americana music that, as with the best parts of the American promise, pays tribute to the musical wells from which they spring but also takes the artform wherever their rugged individualism and talent-rich hearts lead them.
The 10 Best Americana Albums of 2009
In 2009, a flood of plaid-shirted indie-roots bands built on the beardy throwbacks who gained country-rock traction in 2008. And while mainstream country music continued its evolution into '80s pop metal, plenty of roots acts turned the other direction with back-to-basics records.
The 20 Best Americana Albums of 2018
The rootsy releases of 2018 prove that Americana is (and always has been) experiencing a Rainbow Wave.
The 10 Best Country Albums of 2018
As our 2018 list demonstrates, women continue to make some of today's most spectacular country music, regardless of what gets played on the radio.
The 15 Best Americana Albums of 2017
In Americana music the present is female. Two-thirds of our year-end list is comprised of albums by women. Here, then, are the women (and a few men) who represented the best in Americana in 2017.
Reveling in Abandon: The Triumph of Tom Petty
Tom Petty was a democratizing mix of Southern rusticism and California cool, a split that made him the most relatable special-burnout rock figure for every gravel-road kid in America with an FM radio.
Double Take: Stanley Kubrick’s Dr. Strangelove (1964)
With its obvious satire of male aggression and its parallel with today's news headlines, why aren't students 'getting' this classic ultimate black comedy?
Prince: Something That You’ll Never Understand
Prince didn't care where you went. He didn't care what you did. And he couldn't take U with him.
Double Take: ‘Singin’ in the Rain’ (1952)
Let the stormy clouds chase everyone from the place, we gotta dance! Double Take does a pas de deux on the Gene Kelly classic.
Double Take: ‘Forrest Gump’ (1994)
You have to do your best with what God gave you. How well did Robert Zemeckis do with Forrest Gump? Double Take pries open this chocolate box of questionable taste.