Whiskeytown "Stranger's Almanac Deluxe Edition"

The truth? I love bluegrass. Of course with its banjos, tin-cans and sweet Kansas wheat feilds, I naturally associate bluegrass with country music. Despite my love for all the aforementioned things, when I hear what is commonly refered to as country music today I usually wonder where in the hell they get off calling that crap "country"- then I remember, it isn't exactly bluegrass. Especially today's country. Blehk. Luckily this wasn't the case when I heard the latest release of Whiskeytown's 1997 album, Stranger's Almanac Deluxe Edition. But maybe that's because Whiskeytown is more "neo-country", or some shit. Pigeon-holes aside, the album has an overall good sound with a non-obnoxious amount of variety. It's alternative-country roots are more prominently displayed in some songs than others- like when they break out the steel guitar on "Dancing With Women at the Bar" (something that happens to be one of my favorite pastimes; of course, the word 'dancing' means different things to different people. Anyway...). For the most part, the album has a country undertone that is more subtle than some of that over-bearing twang-trodden music from bands of the past- and present. Their lead singer, Ryan Adams's voice has a relatively un-hoakie tone to it, but every now and again the Waylon Jennings within steps up to the plate. Whenever this happens (like on the song "Horses on the Hill"), it makes me wish he's just say fuck it and embrace his own Waylon within. Because goddamnit, it sounds good. Although, from the looks of it, it seems like Adams might be just a bit hard pressed to share the spotlight, with Jennings or anyone else. He seems like kind of a prima donna to be honest. Here's a funny story: in 1997 Whiskeytown played at Mac's Bar in Lansing, Michigan. Their performance was noted as a little bit uninspired to say the least. Whatever- the funny part is that Ryan Adams blamed the fans and the venue for their shitty set. He said they didn't make him feel comfortable playing there. He was quoted on the subject: "...I don't care who else was cool enough to play there. I'm cool enough to not want to play there..." Ho-oly shit! Adams even left the band in 1999 to start a solo career but found himself paled in the shadow of his arche rival Bryan Adams, and re-connected with Caitlin Cary in 2005 for a Whiskeytown rejuvination. Bryan Adams jokes aside, Ryan is lucky Caitlin is the only original member willing to sustain his big old head because what she adds to the music is golden. Her backup vocals only appear in subtle and melodic places, just a small and beautiful rhythm without which the entire musical persona would change. Although its too bad she didn't talk them out of covering Fleetwood Mac's "Dreams." I mean, Adams has a great voice for the style he uses but...let's just say he should leave the dreams (and nightmares) to Stevie Nicks. Instert joke about R.E.M here.