The 15 Best Americana Albums of 2015

From the old guard reaffirming its status to upstarts asserting their prowess, personal tales voiced by true artists connected on an emotional level in the best Americana music of 2015.

                                      
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The 20 Best Americana Albums of 2019

Our Best 20 Americana albums of 2019 are a multicultural, polysexual, cross-genre lineup of cool Americana music that, as with the best parts of the American promise, pays tribute to the musical wells from which they spring but also takes the artform wherever their rugged individualism and talent-rich hearts lead them.

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Patty Griffin Tells It True on Her New Self-Titled Album

There's a Lone Star saying that goes something like, "It doesn't matter if I am right, as long as I know I am true". Patty Griffin follows that motto.

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Various Artists: The Rough Guide To Americana (Second Edition)

It's not that rough to embrace this expertly curated 14-track slice of Americana.

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The Artists of the Year: 2013 Edition

It was a year of thrilling comebacks from legends like My Bloody Valentine and David Bowie as well the launch of major new talents like Lorde and Kacey Musgraves. These artists had the biggest impact on the shape of music in 2013.

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The Blind Boys of Alabama: I'll Find a Way

The Blind Boys of Alabama reach out to what is currently hip with mixed results.

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Abigail Washburn: City of Refuge

Abigail Washburn is a bluegrass artist with a global focus, and on City of Refuge, she collaborates with indie rock artists, including the Decemberists' producer Tucker Martine and guitarist Chris Funk.

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Patty Griffin: Downtown Church

One of the great songwriters in the business lays down the pen to go to church and rides off with a classic. Oh, she writes a couple of these, too, and wait'll you hear them.

Music

Ian McLagan & the Bump Band: Never Say Never

Backed by the Bump Band,legendary rocker Ian McLagan is in fine form, his voice filled with memories and milestones, and carrying a comforting feeling on the sad songs as well as the rave-ups.

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Patty Griffin: Live from the Artists Den

On a cold winter New York City night in 2007, Patty Griffin performed songs from her new album.

Music

The Band of Heathens: The Band of Heathens

Another band out of Austin, this one more country than most, The Band of Heathens offer a solid studio debut.

Music

Patty Griffin: Children Running Through

In the end, you have the usual excellent Patty Griffin record, but not for the usual reasons.

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Patty Griffin

Jennifer Bendery

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Patty Griffin Tells It True on Her New Self-Titled Album

There's a Lone Star saying that goes something like, "It doesn't matter if I am right, as long as I know I am true". Patty Griffin follows that motto.

Various Artists: The Rough Guide To Americana (Second Edition)

It's not that rough to embrace this expertly curated 14-track slice of Americana.

The Artists of the Year: 2013 Edition

It was a year of thrilling comebacks from legends like My Bloody Valentine and David Bowie as well the launch of major new talents like Lorde and Kacey Musgraves. These artists had the biggest impact on the shape of music in 2013.

The Blind Boys of Alabama: I'll Find a Way

The Blind Boys of Alabama reach out to what is currently hip with mixed results.

Abigail Washburn: City of Refuge

Abigail Washburn is a bluegrass artist with a global focus, and on City of Refuge, she collaborates with indie rock artists, including the Decemberists' producer Tucker Martine and guitarist Chris Funk.

Patty Griffin: Downtown Church

One of the great songwriters in the business lays down the pen to go to church and rides off with a classic. Oh, she writes a couple of these, too, and wait'll you hear them.

Ian McLagan & the Bump Band: Never Say Never

Backed by the Bump Band,legendary rocker Ian McLagan is in fine form, his voice filled with memories and milestones, and carrying a comforting feeling on the sad songs as well as the rave-ups.

Patty Griffin: Live from the Artists Den

On a cold winter New York City night in 2007, Patty Griffin performed songs from her new album.

The Band of Heathens: The Band of Heathens

Another band out of Austin, this one more country than most, The Band of Heathens offer a solid studio debut.

Patty Griffin: Children Running Through

In the end, you have the usual excellent Patty Griffin record, but not for the usual reasons.

Patty Griffin: Impossible Dream

Patty Griffin

'Can You Spell Urusei Yatsura' Is a Much Needed Burst of Hopefulness in a Desultory Summer

Jess Cornelius Creates Tautly Constructed Snapshots of Life

Sikoryak's 'Constitution Illustrated' Pay Homage to Comics and the Constitution

South African Folk Master Vusi Mahlasela Honors Home on 'Shebeen Queen'

'History Gets Ahead of the Story' for Jazz's Cosgrove, Medeski, and Lederer

Kathleen Edwards Finds 'Total Freedom'

Jaye Jayle's 'Prisyn' Is a Dark Ride Into Electric Night

Jaga Jazzist's 'Pyramid' Is an Earthy, Complex, Jazz-Fusion Throwback

Planningtorock Is Queering Sound, Challenging Binaries, and Making Infectious Dance Music

The Erotic Disruption of the Self in Paul Schrader's 'The Comfort of Strangers'

Jamila Woods' "SULA (Paperback)" and Creative Ancestry and Self-Love in the Age of "List" Activism

Finding the Light: An Interview with Kathy Sledge

HBO's 'Lovecraft Country' Is Heady, Poetic, and Mangled

'Avengers: Endgame' Culminates 2010's Pop Culture Phenomenon

DYLYN Dares to "Find Myself" by Facing Fears and Life's Dark Forces (premiere + interview)

'Bigger Than History: Why Archaeology Matters'