The best Americana albums are a multicultural, polysexual, mixed-gender, cross-genre lineup of music that fits somewhere under the big backyard of Americana.
No popular musical instrument has been more frequently maligned than the accordion. Despite gaining hipster cred in the 1990s, its role in pop remains underappreciated.
John Mellencamp’s Strictly a One-Eyed Jack is cohesively designed and features beautifully articulated performances and arrangements. His tough swagger always belied a pained vulnerability.
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.
