These comments from reviewers that alt-country is "confining" are really
just a secret greeting to identify themselves as part of the Brotherhood
of People Who Hate Twang (BOPWHT), which was originally founded in New
York but which now has chapters anywhere.
Not only is the alt-country crowd here on P2 an eclectic bunch, but most
of the people who have been herded together under the "alt-country" banner
have been pretty eclectic themselves. The idea that there are strong
limits here is absurd. But what *is* meant is that the reviewer doesnt
really like country instruments or country songs or country stylings and
so they might wish that one of these bands that they sorta like would
break out of the confines and get less country. Y'know, like they should
do something daring and original, like trying to sound like an
"alternative" or Modern Rock band. And of course those styles arent
confining at all.
Rock critics are idiots when it comes to this stuff. And Tweedy has been
whining ever since he got to front his own band but still felt like he
was in Jay Farrar's shadow. Who cares.
Will Miner
Denver, CO
