John Renbourn – Faro Annie
Style: Folk Rock, Folk Baroque, British Blues
Moods: Rootsy, Warm, Rural, Morning, Mellow
Instrumentation: Acoustic Guitar, Sitar, Upright Bass, Vocal Harmonies, Fiddle, Harmonica, Drums
Style: Folk Rock, Folk Baroque, British Blues
Moods: Rootsy, Warm, Rural, Morning, Mellow
Instrumentation: Acoustic Guitar, Sitar, Upright Bass, Vocal Harmonies, Fiddle, Harmonica, Drums
Style: Singer/Songwriter, Alt-Country, Slowcore
Moods: Reflective, Sentimental, Rural, Lonely, Melancholy, Twangy, Romantic, Longing, Contemplative, Depressive, Heartfelt, Introspective, Love, Rootsy
Style: Americana, Singer/Songwriter, Alt-Country
Moods: Drifter, Surreal, Poetic, Twangy, Colorful, Eccentric, Sunny, Uplifting, Playful, Observational, Contemplative, Warm, Rural, Sentimental, Storytelling
Style: Americana, Country Rock, Roots Rock, Singer/Songwriter
Moods: Road Trip, Carefree, Confident, Sunny, Romantic, Summer, Reflective, Warm, Breezy, Rural, Mellow
Musical Qualities: Groovy, Lush, Bluesy, Smooth, Rhythmic
Style: Singer/Songwriter, Americana
Moods: Observational, Peaceful, Reflective, Rustic, Mellow, Romantic, Joyful
Musical Qualities: Soft, Simple, Lush, Lyrical
Instrumentation: Acoustic Guitar, Electric Guitar, Saxophone, Upright Bass, Drums, Fiddle, Cello, Vocal Harmonies, Accordion
Style: Progressive Bluegrass, Folk, Americana
Moods: Rural, Rootsy, Sunny, Bittersweet, Energetic, Joyful, Storytelling, Summer, Warm
Instrumentation: Acoustic Guitar, Mandolin, Fiddle, Cello, Banjo, Dobro
Style: Outsider Folk, Country Blues, Singer/Songwriter, Americana
Moods: Back Porch, Relaxed, Tender, Melancholy, Uplifting, Contemplative, Heartfelt, Eccentric, Introspective, Playful, Raw, Rootsy, Rural
Musical Qualities: Acoustic, Home Recording, Sparse, Lo-Fi, Bluesy, Catchy
“I am not me” the chorus sings repeatedly, a spell to dissolve the ego and deconstruct the myth of American individualism, leaving fertile ground for a collective vision of abundance to bloom. The open-door band of multi-instrumentalists shakily weave through a suite of haunting drone seances, raggedly tender folk sing-a-longs, liberated group improvisations and triumphant post-rock discord. Once again Jackie-O Motherfucker continues their forward march to a beautiful anarchic world without losing touch with its roots in the weird American underground.
Style: Weird Americana, Country-Psych
Moods: Back-porch, Rustic, Cryptic, Surreal, Lethargic, Pastoral, Impressionistic, Autumnal, Eclectic, Hypnotic, Meandering, Rootsy, Twangy, Sunny
Musical Qualities: Electro-acoustic, Repetitive, Studio-as-an-Instrument, Loops, Percussive, Improvisation
Style: Country, Singer/Songwriter
Moods: Autumnal, Heartbreak, Longing, Sentimental, Tender, Rustic, Bittersweet, Introspective, Warm
Musical Qualities: Lush, Vocal Harmonies, Soft, Melodic
Style: Appalachian Folk, Piedmont Blues
Vibe: Pastoral, Rootsy, Morning, Rustic, Bright, Spiritual, Warm, Passionate, Contemplative
Musical Qualities: Solo Instrumentals, Acoustic, Melodic, Sparse, Fingerstyle
Instruments: Fiddle, Banjo, Acoustic Guitar, Dulcimer, Harmonica
Style: Free-Folk, Weird Americana
Moods: Weary, Melancholy, Pastoral, Communal, Tender, Meandering, Bittersweet, Hopeful, Rustic, Haunting, Murky, Rainy, Sombre, Rootsy
Musical Qualities: Collective Improvisation, Vocal Harmonies, Droney, Thematic, Loose
Style: Singer-Songwriter, Country, Americana
Moods: Playful, Sunny, Humorous, Political, Rustic, Storytelling, Rebellious, Conscious, Loner, Twangy
Style: Folk Rock, Singer-Songwriter, Acid Folk, Americana
Moods: Reflective, Spring, Tender, Sunny, Warm, Breezy, Romantic, Intimate, Rustic, Bright, Contemplative, Fantasy, Introspective, Poetic, Retro, Uplifting, Mellow
Style: Folk Baroque, English & Scottish Folk Music
Moods: Medieval, Romantic, Storytelling, Rural, Intimate, Morning, Rootsy, Melancholy, Passionate, Mellow
Musical Qualities: Acoustic, Sparse, Fingerstyle, Technical
Style: Country-Psych, Folk-Funk, Jam Band
Vibe: Aquatic, Summer, Warm, Groovy, Spacey, Laid Back, Playful, Stoned
Musical Qualities: Rhythmic, Atmospheric, Improvisation, Loose, Lo-Fi
Style: Singer/Songwriter, Americana, Folk Rock
Moods: Road Trip, Reflective, Earthy, Observational, Deadpan, Poetic, Contemplative, Existential, Morning, Storytelling
Style: Singer/Songwriter, Country, Cosmic American Music
Moods: Reflective, Heartbreak, Longing, Bittersweet, Sentimental, Twangy, Warm
Musical Qualities: Vocal Harmonies, Melodic, Lush, Soft
Style: Weird Americana, Country-Psych
Moods: Warm, Romantic, Sunny, Rustic, Summer, Meandering, Carefree, Uplifting, Playful
Musical Qualities: Fuzzy, Melodic, Dense, Loose
Style: Shadow Americana, Free Folk, Country-Drone, Post-Rock
Moods: Western, Haunting, Ritualistic, Impressionistic, Meditative, Rustic, Cinematic
Musical Qualities: Collective Improvisation, Instrumental, Droney, Atmospheric
features vocals from Bill Callahan, Emily Cross (Loma), Adam Torres, & Julia Holter
Style: Haunted Folk, Ambient Americana, Southern Gothic
Moods: Desolate, Bleak, Haunting, Western, Cinematic, Stark, Sombre, Rustic, Melancholy, Brooding, Contemplative, Depressive, Nocturnal, Alienation, Dystopian, Impressionistic, Lonely, Moody, Mournful, Mythic, Noir, Personal
Musical Qualities: Suite, Atmospheric, Slow, Sampling, Electro-acoustic, Droney
LP, Shelter Records, 1972 Style: Singer/Songwriter, Roots Rock, Americana Moods: Heartbreak, Sunny, Swagger, Road Trip, Rustic, Rootsy, Mellow, Reflective, Warm, Angsty Musical Qualities: Bluesy, Groovy, Polished
Style: American Primitive Guitar, Appalachian Folk, Avant-Folk
Moods: Contemplative, Spring, Pastoral, Bluesy, Meditative, Rustic, Mellow, Hypnotic, Rootsy, Nature
Musical Qualities: Acoustic, Fingerstyle, Instrumental, Sparse, Progressive
Style: Singer/Songwriter, Chamber Folk
Moods: Reflective, Poetic, Intimate, Lonely, Loving, Wise, Compassionate, Tender, Soothing, Contemplative, Bittersweet, Rustic, Peaceful, Melancholy, Intricate, Pastoral
Musical Qualities: Acoustic, Lush, Vocal Harmonies, Soft, Melodic
ft. jaimie branch, Tyler Damon, Sam Wagster, Cameron Knowler, David Grubbs, Ryley Walker, & Yasmin Williams
FFO: Jim O’Rourke (Bad Timing / The Visitor), William Tyler, Ry Cooder Instrumentals, Gastr Del Sol, Elkhorn, Moon Bros, Appalachian Folk, Leo Kottke, Jack Rose
Style: Country-Rock, Psychedelic Americana
Vibe: Sunny, Ragged, Warm, Freewheelin’, Messy, Tender, Romantic, Rustic, Raw
Musical Qualities: Fuzzy, Loose, Vocal Harmonies, Jams, Dense
Style: Country, Singer/Songwriter
Vibe: Bittersweet, Reflective, Breakup, Intimate, Introspective, Melancholy, Poetic, Sombre, Longing
Musical Qualities: Lyrical, Sparse, Acoustic, Slow
Style: Singer/Songwriter, Americana, Alt-Country
Vibe: Observational, Deadpan, Earthy, Reflective, Rustic, Confident, Warm, Storytelling, Contemplative, Loner
Qualities: Lush, Choral Vocals, Lyrical, Rhythmic, Simple
Style: Singer/Songwriter
HGM Side: Americana, Warm, Contemplative, Sunny, Rural, Passionate, Spiritual, Introspective
Chapman Side: Chamber Folk, Melancholy, Morning, Mellow, Autumnal, Reflective, Storytelling
Style: Country Rock, Americana, Singer/Songwriter
Vibe: Sunny, Rustic, Romantic, Warm, Summer, Sleek, Mellow
Musical Qualities: Vocal Harmonies, Lush Arrangements, Polished Production, Melodic, Groovy, Technical
Style: Singer/Songwriter, Progressive Country
Vibe: Introspective, Reflective, Heartfelt, Bittersweet, Longing, Lush, Warm, Soothing, Rustic, Tender, Sentimental, Spiritual, Contemplative, Intimate
Musical Qualities: Acoustic, Lyrical, Melodic, Orchestral, Polished, Background Vocals
Style: Free Folk, Cosmic Folk, New Weird Americana, Psych Folk
Vibe: Haunting, Rustic, Mysterious, Intertwined, Suspenseful, Communal, Eerie, Ragged, Discomforting, Ritualistic, Raw
Musical Qualities: Lo-Fi, Droney, Loose, Improvisation, Electro-Acoustic, Percussive
Style: Americana, Singer/Songwriter, Alt-Country, Slowcore
Vibe: Tender, Bittersweet, Stark, Cryptic, Storytelling, Melancholy, Lethargic, Poetic, Autumnal, Heartfelt, Mellow, Playful
Musical Qualities: Lyrical, Soft, Sparse
Style: Gothic Drone-Folk, Mystical Americana, Ritual-Psych
Vibe: Shadowy Spiritual Journey; Western Ghost Stories; Backporch Mysticism;
Apocalyptic, Cathartic, Haunting, Rustic, Ritualistic, Loner, Dark, Perilous, Murky, Intertwined
Musical Qualities: Droney, Suite, Improvisation, Thematic, Dynamic, Atmospheric
Instrumentation: Electric Guitar, Harmonium, Organ, Vocals, Percussion
While Magnolia Electric Co’s final record is still tinged with the weariness & melancholy that pervades all of Jason Molina’s previous work, Josephine also feels imbued with vital life force, bittersweet romance, and hopefulness that make it uplifting despite the odds.
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Recommended if you dig dobro & lap steel, ditch-trilogy Neil young, and autumnal contemplation
Style: Loner Folk, Weird Americana, Folk Rock, Singer Songwriter
Vibe: Peaceful, Melancholy, Reflective, Romantic, Gentle, Rustic, Warm, Autumnal, Bittersweet, Breezy, Contemplative, Lethargic, Mellow, Intertwined
Musical Qualities: Soft, Lush, Lyrical, Vocal Harmonies, Acoustic, Atmospheric
Style: Avant-Garde Jazz, Country-Jazz, Jazz Theater
Vibe: Rural, Historical, Sombre, Resolute, Intertwined, Passionate, Storytelling, Determined, Resolute, Heartfelt, Complex, Theatric, Conceptual
Musical Qualities: Suite, Acoustic, Progressive, Collective Improvisation, Polyphonic, Dynamic, Technical
Style: Free Folk, Mystical Americana, Drone, Free Improvisation, Post-Rock
Vibe: Weary, Hopeful, Rustic, Communal, Spiritual, Ragged, Eerie, Melancholy, Deconstructed, Hypnotic, Communal, Haunting, Raw, Suspenseful, Intertwined
Musical Qualities: Collective Improvisation, Dynamic, Lo-Fi, Atmospheric, Droney, Group Vocals, Dub FX
Instrumentation: Electric Guitars, Vibraphone, Flute, Drums, Violin, Cello, Clarinet, Saxophone, Banjo, Melodica, Sitar, Electronics, Turntable, Keyboards, Trumpet, Electric Bass
LP, Anti- Records, 2002 (2016, RE) Style: Gothic Americana, Alt-Country, Singer/Songwriter Vibe: Bittersweet, Rebellious, Haunting, Western, Passionate, Energetic, Longing, Anthemic, Breakup, Depressive, Heartfelt, Introspective, Twangy, Rustic, Sentimental
Vibe: Contemplative, Tender, Soothing, Warm, Bittersweet, Rustic, Open, Pastoral, Light
Themes: Family, Existential, Spirituality, Love
Musical Qualities: Soft, Melodic, Vocal Harmonies, Atmospheric Production, Lyrical
Instrumentation: Vocals, Acoustic & Electric Guitars, Banjo, Piano, Organ, Harmonica, Mandolin Synthesizer, Electric Bass, Lap Steel Slide Guitar, Omnichord, Drums, Percussion
Style: Alt-Country, Americana, Singer/Songwriter
Vibe: Bittersweet, Warm, Angsty, Rustic, Heartfelt, Confident, Passionate, Twangy, Love, Breakup, Reflective, Sentimental, Lush, Rootsy
Instrumentation: Electric & Acoustic Guitar, Lap Steel & Pedal Steel Slide Guitars, Fiddle, Electric & Upright Basses, Drums, Vocal Harmonies, Banjo, Mandolin, Organ, Accordion
Style: Americana, Folk
Vibe: Pastoral, Breezy, Sunny, Morning, Rustic, Warm, Rootsy
Instrumentation: Fingerstyle Acoustic Guitar, Pedal Steel, Upright Bass, Drums, Harmonica
Style: Folk-Blues
Vibe: Spiritual, Brooding, Angsty, Longing, Passionate, Religious, Rustic, Depressive
Musical Attributes: Acoustic, Bluesy, Lo-fi, Solo
Style: Americana, Country Soul, Singer/Songwriter, Folk Rock
Vibe: Warm, Introspective, Existential, Rustic, Mystical, Reflective, Uplifting, Christian
Musical Qualities: Lush, Melodic, Lyrical
Style: Singer/Songwriter, Americana, Loner Folk, Slowcore-Country
Vibes: Contemplative, Bittersweet, Warm, Loner, Mellow, Uplifting, Love, Break-up, Intimate, Heartfelt, Playful, Soothing, Intertwined
Musical Qualities: Acoustic, Lush, Lyrical, Vocal Harmonies
Style: Folk, Singer/Songwriter
Vibe: Warm, Spring, Rootsy, Peaceful, Tender, Morning, Rustic, Lethargic, Nature
Musical Qualities: Acoustic, Vocal Harmonies, Melodic
Style: Singer/Songwriter, Grunge Folk, Americana
Vibe: Depressive, Lonely, Regretful, Gruff, Ragged, Lethargic, Rustic, Haunting
These guys are my favorite American Rock band. Every album they’ve released explores different sides of rock, folk, experimental and psychedelic music in such a natural, unforced way that my mind usually envisions them jamming by a campfire in the woods. What’s even better is I imagine I’m there with them singing along and worshipping the great creative spirit that inspires their music. There’s such an unpretentious, inclusive sense of community and spirituality in their music that I can’t help but feel welcomed and embraced into the family.
Style: Free Folk, Mystical Americana, Post-Rock
Vibe: Ragged, Deconstructed, Rustic, Warm, Communal, Ritualistic, Messy, Raw, Triumphant, Mystical, Eerie
Musical Qualities: Group Vocals, Collective Improvisation, Acoustic, Loose, Lo-fi
Instrumentation: Acoustic Guitar, Harmonica, Vibraphone, Slide Guitar, Fiddle, Saxophone, Drums, Upright Bass
Style: Americana, Singer/Songwriter, Folk
Vibe: Peaceful, Rustic, Deadpan, Mellow, Lethargic, Nature, Warm, Morning
Musical Qualities: Acoustic, Slow, Vocal Harmonies, Lush, Simple
Instrumentation: Acoustic Guitar, Piano, Lap Steel & Pedal Steel Guitars, Strings, Upright Bass, Vibraphone, Tabla, Bongos
Style: Gothic Americana, Experimental Folk-Rock
Vibe: Rustic, Creepy, Surreal, Autumnal, Nihilistic, Disturbing, Dark, Bittersweet, Rootsy
Musical Qualities: Acoustic, Rhythmic, Repetition, Vocal Harmonies
Style: Free Folk, Post-Rock, Free Improvisation, Experimental
Vibe: Ritualistic, Murky, Witchy, Haunting, Mysterious, Raw, Hallucinogenic, Rustic
Musical Qualities: Collective Improvisation, Dynamic, Dissonant, Droney, Live, Lo-Fi
Style: Lo-Fi Folk, Slowcore Country, Singer/Songwriter
Vibe: Religious, Raw, Melancholy, Back-Porch, Lethargic, Stark, Intimate, Rustic
Lyrics: Christian, Alienation, Sexual
Musical Qualities: Acoustic, Sparse, Lo-Fi
Style: Gothic Country, Occult Folk, Psych Folk
Vibe: Witchy, Rustic, Foreboding, Folkloric, Mystical, Surreal, Autumnal, Cryptic, Ritualistic
Style: Americana, Country, Singer/Songwriter
Vibe: Haunting, Storytelling, Bluesy, Rustic, Melancholy, Western
Style: Singer/Songwriter, Americana, Slowcore
Vibe: Lament, Depressive, Intimate, Lonely, Rustic, Mournful, Dark
Musical Qualities: Sparse, Lyrical
Instrumentation: Voice, Electric & Acoustic Guitars, Organ, Cello
Style: New Weird Americana, Warped Folk Rock, Psych Folk
Vibe: Twangy, Cryptic, Mythic, Surreal, Mysterious, Rustic, Mellow, Warm, Rootsy
Musical Qualities: Percussive, Loops, Electro-Acoustic, Rhythmic, Studio-as-an-Instrument, Improvisation
Instrumentation: Acoustic Guitar, Banjo, Percussion, Organ, Piano, Vocals, Electronics, Cello, Electric Guitar, Pump Organ, Bass
Style: Americana, Singer/Songwriter, Country-Rock
Vibe: Lonely, Determined, Melancholy, Longing, Introspective, Rural, Sombre
Style: Country-Soul, Singer/Songwriter, Americana
Vibe: Uplifting, Bittersweet, Introspective, Political, Rural, Mellow, Warm
Musical Qualities: Lush, Groovy, Melodic, Anthemic, Polished, Lyrical
Style: Psychedelic Jam Band
Vibe: Bluesy, Cosmic, Meandering, Pastoral, Rustic
Musical Attributes: Improvisation, Riffs
Style: Progressive Country, Singer/Songwriter, Americana
Vibe: Nature, Autumnal, Morning, Rustic, Pastoral, Sunny, Uplifting, Warm
Musical Attributes: Lush, Melodic, Lyrical, Orchestral
Style: New Weird Americana??Vibe: Bluesy, Contemplative, Earthy, Morning, Pastoral, Rootsy, Rustic, Psychedelic, Warm??Musical Attributes: Acoustic, Percussive, Rhythmic, Studio-as-an-Instrument, Electronics
Style: New Weird Americana, Post-Modern Appalachia, Jazz-Folk
Vibe: Autumnal, Earthy, Imaginative, Lush, Morning, Peaceful, Rootsy, Rustic, Warm, Contemplative
Musical Attributes: Acoustic, Melodic, Studio-as-an-Instrument, Improvisation, Progressive, Lyrical
Instrumentation: Fiddle, Drums, Banjo, Vocals, Percussion, Saxophone, Acoustic Guitar, Drum Machine, Percussion, Electric Bass, Organ Synthesizers, Flute
Collaborators: Leo Abrahams, Shahzad Ismaily, Sam Gendel,
Milford Graves, Chris Vatalaro, James Sultan
Style: Country-Soul, Americana, Singer/Songwriter
Vibe: Passionate, Rootsy, Rural, Spiritual, Triumphant, Uplifting, Warm, Contemplative, Introspective
Style: Appalachian Folk, Folk Blues, American Primitive Guitar??
Vibe: Bittersweet, Rural, Spiritual, Intimate, Pastoral, Warm, Rootsy??
Musical Attributes: Acoustic Fingerstyle, Solo Performance, Sparse, Technical
Style: British-Folk, Jazz-Folk
Vibe: Rootsy, Warm, Mellow, Morning, Rural, Carefree, Breezy
Musical Attributes: Acoustic, Vocal Harmonies, Progressive, Melodic
Style: New Weird America, Alt-Country, Psychedelic Americana, Chamber Folk
Vibe: Rustic, Rootsy, Bittersweet, Psychedelic
Musical Attributes: Chamber, Percussive, Studio-as-an-instrument, Rhythmic, Electro-Acoustic, Loops
Instrumentation: Acoustic Guitar, Banjo, Vocals, Keyboards, Synthesizer, Fiddle, Mallet Percussion, Horns, Electronic Percussion, Upright Bass, Electric Bass, Piano
The Invisible Comes to Us is a haunting, modern take on Appalachian and Irish folk songs. Beautiful close-harmonies, banjos and acoustic guitars are juxtaposed with droning atmospheres of woodwinds, Moog bass, pump organ, and euphonium. Guest musicians include Jim White on drums and Susan Alcorn on slide guitar.
Style: Gothic Country, Americana, Chamber Folk?Vibe: Rustic, Sombre, Murky, Rootsy, Ominous, Loner, Western, Melancholy, Moody, Dark?Musical Attributes: Acoustic Instrumentation (Banjo, Upright Bass, Cello, Acoustic Guitar, Accordion, Piano), Atmospheric, Droney, Slow, Lyrical?Lyrical Themes: Alienation, Religious, Christian, Storytelling
This impressionistic and contemplative collaboration channels deep American folk roots through free flowing improvisations. The panoramic and sensitive drumming of Jim White (Dirty Three, Cat Power, etc) is a perfect match for Marisa Anderson’s primitivist guitar sensibilities, which feel both immediate and abstract.
Style: British Folk, Country-Influenced
Vibe: Contemplative, Earthy, Introspective, Melancholy, Rootsy, Rural, Storytelling
Musical Attributes: Acoustic, Vocal Harmonies, Lyrical, Melodic, Simple, Sparse
Originally released in 2003 on Merge Jealous Butcher Indie Exclusive Reissue (2019) Format: LP, Blue
Released in 2019 on Western Vinyl Format: LP
Released in 1970 on Atlantic Records South African Pressing Format: LP Recommended Tracks Our House (B2), Helpless (A4), Carry On (A1), Teach Your Children (A2)
Released in 1968 on Elektra Records Format: LP
On his latest, producer/composer/multi-instrumentalist Bibio blends serene folk pop, lush instrumentation, pastoral guitar instrumentals, nature field recordings, Walt Whitman-esque lyrics and beat-oriented grooves into the perfectly crafted springtime album. Ribbons feels like daydreaming in a garden or out in the woods under a tree or by a trickling stream.
Ryley Walker’s virtuosic fingerpicking and intricate folk-rock songwriting vibe heavily with a backing band of Chicagoan jazz musicians, including upright bass, drums, Rhodes and electric guitar. The first LP of this release is a studio album of jazzy folk rock songs for fans of Van Morrison’s Astral Weeks or Tim Buckley’s Happy Sad, while the Bonus Lp of this “Deep Cuts edition” is a 40 min live improvisation on one of the album cuts that probably beats anything on the studio LP. It’s rad to be able hear both the concise, song-centric studio side and the loose jammy side of this exciting artist in the same release.
Originally released in 2008 on Southern Lord 2014 Pressing Format: LPx2, Red Vinyl
Album Information: Released in 1972 on Reprise Records 2009 reissue, mastered from original analog tapes
Album Information: Released in 2007 on Constellation Records