Another booming genre at the turn of the millennium; like electronic music, alt-country’s dominance faded considerably during the noughties. Instead, the traditional Americana sounds became a major influence for new rock and pop artists who flirted with tradition without sacrificing their contemporary vein. The Hold Steady brought Bruce Springsteen’s heritage back to the books of cool. Jack White rescued Loretta Lynn and Sufjan Stevens became a critical darling with the banjo-tinged “Seven Swans”, before he ventured into his multi-state of the union celebrated, if recently aborted, project.
10-JENNY LEWIS & THE WATSON TWINS-Melt Your Heart (see video above)
9-MY MORNING JACKET-Golden
8-THE MOUNTAIN GOATS-Dilaudid
7-THE HANDSOME FAMILY-I Know You Are There
6-BLITZEN TRAPPER-Devil’s A Go Go
5-LORETTA LYNN & JACK WHITE-Portland, Oregon
4-PHOSPHORESCENT-A Picture Of Our Torn Up Praise
3-THE HOLD STEADY-Stuck Between Stations
2-FLEET FOXES-Mykonos
1-SUFJAN STEVENS-All The Trees Of The Field Will Clap Their Hands