This page is part of an opinionated overview of "alt.country" music, with record reviews by me, Joe Sixpack... Naturally, it's a work in progress, and quite incomplete, so your comments and suggestions are welcome.
This is the first page covering the letter "C"
Shawn Camp - see artist discography
Kate Campbell "Songs From The Levee" (Compass, 1994)
Kate Campbell "Moonpie Dreams" (Compass, 1997)
Kate Campbell "Visions Of Plenty" (Compass, 1998)
Kate Campbell "Rosaryville" (Compass, 1999)
Kate Campbell "Wandering Strange" (Eminent, 2001)
Kate Campbell "Monuments" (Evangeline, 2003)
Kate Campbell "Twang On A Wire" (Large River, 2003)
An interesting set of country and countrypolitan cover tunes, featuring such venerable oldies as Donna Fargo's "Funny Face," Emmylou's "Boulder To Birmingham," "Harper Valley PTA," "Help Me Make It Through The Night," etc. I have to confess, I've never been that into Campbell's work, but this disc seemed like a good chance to factor out one of the three factors in her music -- songwriting, performance and production -- and get a better sense of what makes her tick. Turns out, sure enough, the production (and her band) sounds just fine, but I sure don't like her voice. Her heart seems in the right place, but she sure ain't no Dolly or Lynn Anderson. Most of these songs start with great promise, but Campbell just doesn't seem able to really ride them home -- most fall flat and directionless by the time she's through with 'em. Sorry to be such a grouch, but I gotta call it like I hear it. If you like Campbell, then this is a great record... But if you just wanna hear a great country record -- well, I could think of a plenty of others to recommend before you turned to this one.
Kate Campbell "The Portable Kate Campbell" (Compadre, 2004)
Although this is a "best-of" set, it's not actually a collection of stuff from old records, but rather new versions of favorite songs, and a few new ones to keep things lively. Like other Campbell albums, this is a little troublesome for me, as the music is consistently interesting, but the public religiousity aspect feels uncomfortable. Her Christian soul-searching is obviously heartfelt and sincere, but it still feels intrusive or overly intimate, somehow. Then again, I suppose no one is forcing folks like me to buy her records... And for people who are looking for religiously-themed music that's more nuanced and soul-searching than the norm, this is certainly fresh, creative material. This disc in particular is a pretty good introdcution to Campbell and her ouvre.
Kate Campbell "Sing Me Out" (Compadre, 2004)
Kate Campbell "Blues And Lamentations" (Large River, 2005)
Kate Campbell & Spooner Oldham "For The Living Of These Days" (Large River, 2006)
Laura Cantrell "Not The Tremblin' Kind" (Diesel Only, 2000)
New York's singing cowgirl, songwriter Cantrell hosts a country show on renowned freeform radio station, WFMU, and has parlayed her love of twangitude into a full-fledged recording career. Honestly, despite having several mutual friends in common with her, this debut disc doesn't do that much for me... The songs are just a little too overwritten and self-consciously crafted, also, her vocals kinda bug me; imperfections that could have been disguised in a rock'n'roll context are all-too apparent in the more stripped-down country context. Still, Cantrell has a lot going for her, not the least of which is a sharp band, culled in part from the East Coast power-pop/indie scene. Folks looking for alt.country that breaks out of the usual ruts of white trash stereotypes, etc., and aims to revitalize the old traditions of well-crafted heart songs might wanna check this gal out.
Laura Cantrell "When The Roses Bloom Again" (Diesel Only, 2002)
Although Cantrell's voice -- almost Mary McCaslin, but not quite -- still falls short, her songwriting is much sharper and direct, particularly on this album's opening numbers. Her band is tight as well: several songs are melodically strong, with an almost power-poppy propulsiveness, and Cantrell is closer to finding an effective tunesmithy voice. The slower numbers still seem a bit muddled, but less so than on her first album -- listeners may have to work a bit to get caught up in her songs, but the lyrics and emotional content are all pretty solid.
Laura Cantrell "The Hello Recordings" (Diesel Only, 2004)
A 5-song EP...
Laura Cantrell "Humming By The Flowered Vine" (Matador, 2005)
It's a delight to see when an independent artist crafts a masterpiece, particularly someone who's been around for a while and whose imperfections have been almost as charming as their artistic passion. On her third album, East Coast alt-country songwriter Laura Cantrell has crafted a solid, soulful work that may be the soundtrack for many a moody afternoon to come. Backed by East Coast indie-popster Dave Schramm and members of the uber-artsy, amorphous band Calexico, Cantrell shifts from style to style, drawing on numerous influences to forge a sparkling record with several memorable melodies. Unlike many big city altabillies, Cantrell seldom trawls through the depths of phony hick sterotypes to "prove" how country she is, and on this record she goes out of her way to claim ownership of her own urban identity, with songs that place the listener smack dab in the middle of New York, New York. For example, the album kicks off with its strongest track, "14th Street," a walking tour of heartbreak on concrete that half-unconsciously swipe its melodic hook from "There She Goes" by the La's. (Which, frankly, is fine by me. The next song, though, quotes that old Budweiser jingle... "when... you say... Bud!", which is a little more questionable...) Calexico & Co. prove themselves adept at absorbing country music, and when they do add a rock touch, it feels a bit raspy and Neil Young-ish; Cantrell anchors herself to her country roots through a fine, wistful version of the old Wynn Stewart hit, "Wishful Thinking," a plaintive rendition of the ballad, "Poor Ellen Smith," and her own "California Rose," a heartfelt homage to West Coast wild woman Rose Maddox. But while flexing her musical strengths inside a professional studio, with a versatile, ultramodern band to back her, Cantrell also zeroes in on unsuspected depths as a rock-popster, sounding as much like Linda Thompson as folkies such as Mary McCaslin. It's a glorious transformation, and this is an album that might floor more than a few listeners. Recommended!
Cap Gun Cowboys "Girls, Cars And Smoke-Filled Bars" (Rust Belt, 2003)
Cowpunkish Ohio rockers playing at the alt.country game, with songs with titles like "Wal Mart Wedding," "Full Tank," and "Phone Call From Texas." I actually didn't find these fellas as offensive or as stereotype-laden as many of their altie compatriots -- they're actually kind of likeable in a rooting-for-the-nonprofessionals kinda way. But they're also really limited musically and many of the songs lack focus. Still, if you like some of the Bloodshot bands, you might enjoy checking thses guys out as well.
Cap Gun Cowboys "Atomic Horsepower" (Rust Belt, 2005)
Although they've toned down the cowpunkish elements somewhat, these Ohioans still sound kinda clunky to me. Their hearts are in the right place, but their pickin' is pretty rough, and them thar twangy accents sound a bit too forced. This disc is okay, I suppose, but it didn't really wow me. Folks who are more into the whole twangcore thing might like it more that I did, though, so take what I say with a grain of salt...
Joe "King" Carrasco & The Crowns "Tales From The Crypt" (ROIR, 1984/2000)
Picking up where Doug Sahm and Peter Rowan left off, garage popster Joe Carrasco hailed from Austin, Texas, where late in 1979 he corralled together the raggedy band that plays on this CD... Originally a cassette-only release, this features a healthy batch of lighthearted romps through brown-eyed soul and Tex-Mex rock, all handled at a clip that tips you off that you don't have to take this too seriously... just settle back and enjoy. It's fun stuff; the punk era DIY ethos directed in an entirely new direction, and the pull of these recordings is fairly irresistible. Fun stuff! All this and liner notes from John Morthland... how can you go wrong?
Joe "King" Carrasco "Tex-Mex Rock-Roll" (ROIR, 1989)
Joe "King" Carrasco "Bandido Rock" (Rounder, 1990)
Joe "King" Carrasco "Anthology" (One Way, 1995)
Joe "King" Carrasco "Royal, Loyal & Live" (Crystal Clear Sound, 1999)
Joe "King" Carrasco "Joe "King" Carrasco" (Tornado, 2002)
Caitlin Cary "Waltzie (EP)" (Yep Roc, 2000)
Caitlin Cary "While You Weren't Looking" (Yep Roc, 2002)
A surprising, poppy outing for Ms. Caitlin... As a Whiskeytowner, Cary had a tendency to be a bit shrieky -- here, she takes a smoother path, following in the footsteps of Mekons frontlady Sally Timms who moved out of her twangcore phase into mistier pop balladeering. Like Timms, Cary appears to be chasing the ghosts of June Tabor and Linda Thompson, and likewise, it suits her well. The songwriting is also an improvement over her country-themed Whiskeytown material; without the WTS baggage, Cary proves capable of crafting fairly smooth, haunting pop material. She even dabbles in Phil Spector-style Brill Building pop. All in all, a nice record, although longtime fans may be a bit mystified. The CD also comes (or came?) with a 4-song mini-CD with much country-er material, including an excellent duet with Ryan Adams. Good record, worth checking out.
Caitlin Cary "I'm Staying Out" (Yep Roc, 2003)
Cary delves even deeper into her pop muse, chasing the spectres of Linda Thompson and Natalie Merchant, and leaving the country stuff almost entirely behind. Ex-DB Chris Stamey produces and writes some of the material... Not totally my cup of tea, but you can see where she's going on this one. If you liked the general direction of her previous album, While You Weren't Looking, then you're probably gonna love this one!
Caitlin Cary & Thad Cockrell "Begonias" (Yep Roc, 2005)
Neko Case - see artist discography
Alt.Country Albums - More Letter "C"
