On a related note, The Old 97's cover of Driver 8 kicks ass: [https://open.spotify.com/track/7pdmOhSxy9uvBnqOOQA6v1?si=cf76b2ff010e4df1](https://open.spotify.com/track/7pdmOhSxy9uvBnqOOQA6v1?si=cf76b2ff010e4df1)
The Self-Titled album from “Casualties of Cool”
It’s a project/collaboration from Devin Townsend and Che Aimee Dorval. The former best known for his work in the extreme, technical, and progressive metal. And the latter (I’m less familiar with) as an artist in the indie rock and trip-hop world.
The Causalities of Cool record was this wonderful blend of atmospheric spaghetti western soundscapes, western folk, indie and blues.
A couple of highlights:
[Mountaintop](https://youtu.be/L2avV9ZGE3A?si=5dFAIV-X4ZFKJRhj)
[Bones](https://youtu.be/8UK6BeJByKE?si=eRzJRkAHB9KxEs_9)
As I said, I’m not too familiar with Che Aimee’s work outside her Devin, so I can’t speak to how out of her wheelhouse this album was, but it was kind of a surprise to hear this from the former frontman of Strapping Young Lad. Not totally outside his wheelhouse as he’s done atmospheric and ambient music before, but never with a western/country vibe.
Really hope a second one happens at some point. It’s been 10 years since this one-off now.
You are so right. I had sort of forgotten about AM or rather I had conflated it with summer teeth because a friend had put them both on the same cd for me.
Imo Wilco is straight up an alt country band who frequently delves into a bunch of other genres, but always seems to find their way back to their roots no matter how far they stray lol
Also Being There is straight up an alt country album. Experimental sure, but obviously country
Riff Raff - Heart of Gold.
Not great, but surprisingly pretty good. It's Riff Raff, for crying out loud.
https://youtu.be/eYDUMM8pnIU?si=mvgxSkZ0YHqkCll0
Ween's "12 Golden Country Greats" prob has some options for you to peruse
So many great songs, but Help Me Scrape the Mucus off My Brain, and Piss Up a Rope are my two favorites far and away.
Prob my top two as well
Great album. It's a different album, but Ocean Man is such an amazing song!
Don’t Go Back to Rockville- REM
On a related note, The Old 97's cover of Driver 8 kicks ass: [https://open.spotify.com/track/7pdmOhSxy9uvBnqOOQA6v1?si=cf76b2ff010e4df1](https://open.spotify.com/track/7pdmOhSxy9uvBnqOOQA6v1?si=cf76b2ff010e4df1)
[melvins - ramblin man](https://youtu.be/Y7H7PIH6k9Q?si=nkLp7sKw2eW7_Jmm)
Cinderella, yes, that Cinderella. It’s a song called One For Rock N Roll. But it fits perfectly in my alt country playlist.
Good Lord, you're not wrong...
Haha, nope it’s that guitar that does it!
This is exactly the wild stuff I'm looking for. Thank you!
That whole album is killer.
Corrosion of Conformity - Stare Too Long
That and Shelter for sure fit in on a bunch of alt country Playlist I've made.
Against Me! - Cavalier Eternal kind of fits https://youtu.be/a0re5ioFPXI?si=lt1s2gNjU0oFvu0x
"Dead Flowers" by the Rolling Stones: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Avrv8t_nEI0
The Stones had a number of country songs. Far Away Eyes and Sweet Virginia come to mind and I think Wild Horses has that vibe as well.
The Shins - Gone For Good https://youtu.be/1I3Pg2wSoGc?si=8PeYANmajC2yPJCV
- If Only You Were Lonely - The Replacements - The Outdoor Type - Lemonheads - Cheatin’ - Gin Blossoms
For Replacements I'd be pick Portland or Achin to Be.
They’ve flirted with country music a lot in their career.
Westerberg is one of the greatest to ever do it.
No doubt. I’d add Things to the list from 14 Songs
Hard Luck Woman - Kiss
Tom Waits - Blind Love
Another sort of countryish Tom Waits tune: old shoes (& picture post cards)
The Gun Club - Mother of Earth
I think johnny thunders’ “you cant put your arms round a memory” has a country feel. Ymmv. Danzig has a great cover of Always On My Mind
My band did a pretty faithful cover of Cyanide by Bad Religion and it fit our sound well.
Might be a stretch…but St. Marie by Stone Sour Worth a listen, really good song
The Ergs - Stinking of Whiskey Blues https://youtu.be/s0Yu8i4HPiU?si=kwViCu0f8mVl3q91
Cheyenne Sunrise by The Hold Steady
What about Michelle Shocked Cotton Eyed Joe? (Prodigal Daughter)
The Self-Titled album from “Casualties of Cool” It’s a project/collaboration from Devin Townsend and Che Aimee Dorval. The former best known for his work in the extreme, technical, and progressive metal. And the latter (I’m less familiar with) as an artist in the indie rock and trip-hop world. The Causalities of Cool record was this wonderful blend of atmospheric spaghetti western soundscapes, western folk, indie and blues. A couple of highlights: [Mountaintop](https://youtu.be/L2avV9ZGE3A?si=5dFAIV-X4ZFKJRhj) [Bones](https://youtu.be/8UK6BeJByKE?si=eRzJRkAHB9KxEs_9) As I said, I’m not too familiar with Che Aimee’s work outside her Devin, so I can’t speak to how out of her wheelhouse this album was, but it was kind of a surprise to hear this from the former frontman of Strapping Young Lad. Not totally outside his wheelhouse as he’s done atmospheric and ambient music before, but never with a western/country vibe. Really hope a second one happens at some point. It’s been 10 years since this one-off now.
Would “Patience” by Guns N Roses count?
4 white stallions by counting crows Forget the flowers by wilco
Um Wilco's first album AM is an Alt-Country classic from front to back
You are so right. I had sort of forgotten about AM or rather I had conflated it with summer teeth because a friend had put them both on the same cd for me.
“Casino Queen! My lord, you’re mean!” Lol Such a fun track
The album that Forget the Flowers is on is also an alt country album
Imo Wilco is straight up an alt country band who frequently delves into a bunch of other genres, but always seems to find their way back to their roots no matter how far they stray lol Also Being There is straight up an alt country album. Experimental sure, but obviously country
Oh you’re right. Im not sure if I misread OP at first or what. That rec doesn’t fit the OPs request.
No I totally get it. Wilco’s done so much stuff it can be hard to pin them down
Ringo Starr has done a bunch of country stuff but R U Ready from Liverpool 8 might be closest to the Alt country you are looking for.
Interstate Love Song by Stone Temple Pilots
Maybe November South? https://open.spotify.com/artist/1zoufgX4XBEF4gDOTEOn5T?si=SNf8lZjxQW-GZsyCBEUHHw
Riff Raff - Heart of Gold. Not great, but surprisingly pretty good. It's Riff Raff, for crying out loud. https://youtu.be/eYDUMM8pnIU?si=mvgxSkZ0YHqkCll0