Like Taylor Swift, but for people who don't like Taylor Swift
December 21, 2014 1:01 PM Subscribe
What is some music that will be liked (hopefully loved) by people who like Taylor Swift and other sorts of Top 40 pop/country, but that I as a person who hasn't gotten into that genre much will also love?
My sister loves pop/country music. Toby Keith, Lee Brice, Taylor Swift: basically, Top 40 country music. She just likes things that sound good with poetic, emotional lyrics and/or catchy tunes. She likes, I think, that they're not too complicated, and they're easy to sing along to.
I don't necessarily share her taste. And I'm not a snob either. I listen to a wide variety of rap and hip hop, showtunes, indie pop, folk pop, etc. I've introduced her to the Indigo Girls, Dar Williams, the Mountain Goats, and some other country-ish music I like, and she's liked it too, but it hasn't become a part of her regular playlists. Amy Winehouse was a no-go, and she didn't like Macy Gray or Janelle Monae or some of the other music I thought might be compromises. And she hates most of the music I love.
She thinks I judge her for having "bad" (her word, not mine. she's being self-deprecating) taste. I really try not to; I just don't like what she likes, and the things I like are different from what she likes, but not better. So I'd like to try to find some cool stuff we'll both like that won't make her feel like I'm being a snob at her, that both of us can genuinely really like, given how different our taste is. I love spending time with her, and I'd like for us to have a common soundtrack that reflects that.
So, what would you recommend that shares the qualities people like about Taylor Swift and Rascal Flats and Brad Paisley, but that I (Jay-Z, weirdly a lot of ABBA lately, Girl Talk, Postal Service, Soul Coughing, musical soundtracks, and really a lot of different things, depending on what kind of mood I'm in) would also really like? Thanks!
My sister loves pop/country music. Toby Keith, Lee Brice, Taylor Swift: basically, Top 40 country music. She just likes things that sound good with poetic, emotional lyrics and/or catchy tunes. She likes, I think, that they're not too complicated, and they're easy to sing along to.
I don't necessarily share her taste. And I'm not a snob either. I listen to a wide variety of rap and hip hop, showtunes, indie pop, folk pop, etc. I've introduced her to the Indigo Girls, Dar Williams, the Mountain Goats, and some other country-ish music I like, and she's liked it too, but it hasn't become a part of her regular playlists. Amy Winehouse was a no-go, and she didn't like Macy Gray or Janelle Monae or some of the other music I thought might be compromises. And she hates most of the music I love.
She thinks I judge her for having "bad" (her word, not mine. she's being self-deprecating) taste. I really try not to; I just don't like what she likes, and the things I like are different from what she likes, but not better. So I'd like to try to find some cool stuff we'll both like that won't make her feel like I'm being a snob at her, that both of us can genuinely really like, given how different our taste is. I love spending time with her, and I'd like for us to have a common soundtrack that reflects that.
So, what would you recommend that shares the qualities people like about Taylor Swift and Rascal Flats and Brad Paisley, but that I (Jay-Z, weirdly a lot of ABBA lately, Girl Talk, Postal Service, Soul Coughing, musical soundtracks, and really a lot of different things, depending on what kind of mood I'm in) would also really like? Thanks!
I don't really know country, but:
Fleetwood Mac? (Taylor's definitely a Stevie Nicks fan)
Jenny Lewis? Especially the new one. Maybe also some of the later Rilo Kiley albums.
Heartthrob by Tegan and Sara?
posted by SoftRain at 1:36 PM on December 21, 2014 [1 favorite]
Fleetwood Mac? (Taylor's definitely a Stevie Nicks fan)
Jenny Lewis? Especially the new one. Maybe also some of the later Rilo Kiley albums.
Heartthrob by Tegan and Sara?
posted by SoftRain at 1:36 PM on December 21, 2014 [1 favorite]
You could try Kacey Musgraves if you want mainstream-y country.
Or Laura Cantrell if you want indie country folk with cred that's still very accessible.
Another option is to go vintage...maybe The Carter Family or Dolly Parton.
posted by bcwinters at 1:37 PM on December 21, 2014 [1 favorite]
Or Laura Cantrell if you want indie country folk with cred that's still very accessible.
Another option is to go vintage...maybe The Carter Family or Dolly Parton.
posted by bcwinters at 1:37 PM on December 21, 2014 [1 favorite]
Uh, this might be obvious, but how about current era Taylor? There is literally zero country sound on her new album. If your sister likes that (and she may not) then you should give it a chance.
Is she a fan of Taylor herself, as a person/celeb? If so, the easiest thing would be to listen to Taylor's friends: Lorde, Haim, Jack Antonoff (Bleachers)...
Also seconding the most recent Jenny Lewis album.
posted by acidic at 1:40 PM on December 21, 2014
Is she a fan of Taylor herself, as a person/celeb? If so, the easiest thing would be to listen to Taylor's friends: Lorde, Haim, Jack Antonoff (Bleachers)...
Also seconding the most recent Jenny Lewis album.
posted by acidic at 1:40 PM on December 21, 2014
Trio is more traditional country than it is pop but I think it will appeal to just about everybody.
posted by rdr at 1:42 PM on December 21, 2014
posted by rdr at 1:42 PM on December 21, 2014
Response by poster: Yeah, she likes country Taylor Swift, not pop Taylor Swift. And that was just an example (because Taylor Swift is the artist she likes whom I'm most familiar with. I really don't know much about country at all).
And she really doesn't seem to like older/vintage music at all. I tried Johnny Cash and Willie Nelson, and they were rejected.
posted by decathecting at 1:48 PM on December 21, 2014
And she really doesn't seem to like older/vintage music at all. I tried Johnny Cash and Willie Nelson, and they were rejected.
posted by decathecting at 1:48 PM on December 21, 2014
Anyone who likes female country singers and TMG who hasn't also listened to Jenny Lewis is living a shadow of a life.
posted by deathpanels at 2:10 PM on December 21, 2014 [4 favorites]
posted by deathpanels at 2:10 PM on December 21, 2014 [4 favorites]
She's not really like Taylor Swift but your sister might like her as a singer-songwriter and she might be to your taste: Laura Marling
posted by kinddieserzeit at 2:11 PM on December 21, 2014
posted by kinddieserzeit at 2:11 PM on December 21, 2014
How about the Garth brooks classics?
Or the civil wars, or paper bird, or Allison krauss?
posted by umwhat at 2:15 PM on December 21, 2014 [1 favorite]
Or the civil wars, or paper bird, or Allison krauss?
posted by umwhat at 2:15 PM on December 21, 2014 [1 favorite]
Have you tried vintage female country? I grew up on my mom's 70s country: Emmylou Harris, Linda Rondstadt, Dolly Parton, Crystal Gayle...
posted by cecic at 2:22 PM on December 21, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by cecic at 2:22 PM on December 21, 2014 [1 favorite]
How about the Dixie Chicks? As a bonus, the "Shut Up and Sing" documentary is fascinating and could be a fun thing for y'all to connect on, even if just to watch/talk about (if the actual music has already been rejected and/or doesn't ultimately do it for you both).
posted by argonauta at 2:26 PM on December 21, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by argonauta at 2:26 PM on December 21, 2014 [1 favorite]
Pop country for people who like showtunes:
Carrie Underwood
Lyle Lovett
and definitely Ryan Montbleau.
posted by still_wears_a_hat at 2:35 PM on December 21, 2014 [1 favorite]
Carrie Underwood
Lyle Lovett
and definitely Ryan Montbleau.
posted by still_wears_a_hat at 2:35 PM on December 21, 2014 [1 favorite]
You like ABBA and Girl Talk, and she likes Rascal Flatts and Taylor Swift, so I wonder if you've tried dance remixes of artists she likes, e.g. What Hurts The Most (ItsNotAdam Remix) or Love Story (Dance Remix).
posted by Monsieur Caution at 2:51 PM on December 21, 2014
posted by Monsieur Caution at 2:51 PM on December 21, 2014
Apparently a lot of people love Miranda Lambert - I am not a country fan (but I like some assorted country songs from time to time) but her song Mama's Broken Heart gets me singing along every single time.
posted by VioletU at 2:53 PM on December 21, 2014 [3 favorites]
posted by VioletU at 2:53 PM on December 21, 2014 [3 favorites]
Also came to suggest First Aid Kit... I'd describe them as country/indie sounding.
posted by msbubbaclees at 2:55 PM on December 21, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by msbubbaclees at 2:55 PM on December 21, 2014 [1 favorite]
What about the Old 97's? Too Far To Care is a terrific album, but I also love Hitchhike to Rhome and Fight Songs. Twangy and smart.
posted by purpleclover at 2:59 PM on December 21, 2014 [2 favorites]
posted by purpleclover at 2:59 PM on December 21, 2014 [2 favorites]
Josh Ritter?
posted by notjustthefish at 3:12 PM on December 21, 2014
posted by notjustthefish at 3:12 PM on December 21, 2014
If she was okay with Dar Williams, maybe Kelly Hogan.
posted by betweenthebars at 3:48 PM on December 21, 2014
posted by betweenthebars at 3:48 PM on December 21, 2014
Miranda Lambert, Kacey Musgraves, and take a tour through the ILX Rolling Country threads (e.g. 2014). ILX has a bunch of active critics (Frank Kogan, Chuck Eddy, etc.) who tackle contemporary country as a legitimate genre, not just as Walmart jingles for rural fascists, which is how it's often treated in other indie press (generally contrasted with "authentic" country that appeals to college-educated fans of acoustic guitars). As Nashville's slid more toward pop than ever (cf. Taylor Swift), and poptimism is generally triumphant aside from redoubts of rockism (one of those places being in bro-country), lots of contemporary country is just good pop with a twang.
posted by klangklangston at 4:09 PM on December 21, 2014 [2 favorites]
posted by klangklangston at 4:09 PM on December 21, 2014 [2 favorites]
The Cowgirl Kiss-Offs station on Songza is my jam. My music taste (otherwise) is totally in line with yours, but these poppy-country songs have the "sing it ouuuuuttt!" showtunes thing I love, the themes of female empowerment I seek out in my entertainment where ever possible, the catchiness of an ABBA song, etc. You might not like every single song, but it's a good sampling of country that you might not otherwise encounter. Ugh, I love it so much.
posted by Charity Garfein at 6:08 PM on December 21, 2014 [2 favorites]
posted by Charity Garfein at 6:08 PM on December 21, 2014 [2 favorites]
nthing Cantrell and Musgraves, who fit this role in my circles, at least. Sera Cahoone, maybe?
Other stuff within the spectrum of "contemporary Nashville stuff that an ex-college radio DJ can like":
Wade Bowen's "Songs About Trucks" is sort of ha-ha-yeah-I-see-what's-up but I like it.
Matt Woods' "Deadman's Blues", yeah, same deal.
Charlie Worsham toured with Taylor Swift ca. Speak Now: "Trouble Is"
Will Hoge's "Even If It Breaks Your Heart" was a hit for the Eli Young Band a couple years back.
More "from Nashville" than "contemporary Nashville":
Caitlin Rose is more in line with your tastes than your sister's, but try her on "Dallas" or something (plus, trivia: her mom cowrote on a bunch of Taylor's early hits & won a Grammy with her); Tristen [Gasparadek] has made a similar-to-Taylor move towards poppish & electronic stuff but her first record might be good for you, like "Eager for Your Love".
Sturgill Simpson isn't really necessarily within the mainstream of contemporary country (tho he opened for the Zac Brown Band) but well worth a shot; "Railroad of Sin" & "You Can Have the Crown"/"Some Days" are from last year's High Top Mountain but he had another, even better record this year, Metamodern Sounds in Country Music.
Oh (and this is drifting even further away from contemporary country & towards rock-type stuff) Lydia Loveless, from Columbus; this is two from her new album and (a slightly edited-for-content version of) the her RSD single, "Mile High", and the record version of "Mile High".
posted by The Bridge on the River Kai Ryssdal at 8:58 PM on December 21, 2014 [1 favorite]
Other stuff within the spectrum of "contemporary Nashville stuff that an ex-college radio DJ can like":
Wade Bowen's "Songs About Trucks" is sort of ha-ha-yeah-I-see-what's-up but I like it.
Matt Woods' "Deadman's Blues", yeah, same deal.
Charlie Worsham toured with Taylor Swift ca. Speak Now: "Trouble Is"
Will Hoge's "Even If It Breaks Your Heart" was a hit for the Eli Young Band a couple years back.
More "from Nashville" than "contemporary Nashville":
Caitlin Rose is more in line with your tastes than your sister's, but try her on "Dallas" or something (plus, trivia: her mom cowrote on a bunch of Taylor's early hits & won a Grammy with her); Tristen [Gasparadek] has made a similar-to-Taylor move towards poppish & electronic stuff but her first record might be good for you, like "Eager for Your Love".
Sturgill Simpson isn't really necessarily within the mainstream of contemporary country (tho he opened for the Zac Brown Band) but well worth a shot; "Railroad of Sin" & "You Can Have the Crown"/"Some Days" are from last year's High Top Mountain but he had another, even better record this year, Metamodern Sounds in Country Music.
Oh (and this is drifting even further away from contemporary country & towards rock-type stuff) Lydia Loveless, from Columbus; this is two from her new album and (a slightly edited-for-content version of) the her RSD single, "Mile High", and the record version of "Mile High".
posted by The Bridge on the River Kai Ryssdal at 8:58 PM on December 21, 2014 [1 favorite]
Hurray for the Riff Raff - a female fronted Americana band.
posted by WeekendJen at 7:22 AM on December 22, 2014
posted by WeekendJen at 7:22 AM on December 22, 2014
Check out Haley Bonar for a sound that is country-ish and has catchy melodies, with an interesting voice and thoughtful lyrics. Her most recent album, Last War, is my favorite. Golder is my second favorite of her albums.
posted by wondermouse at 11:57 AM on December 22, 2014
posted by wondermouse at 11:57 AM on December 22, 2014
I'm not 100% sure you'll like them, but have you tried Mumford and Sons? Many of my friends who are into Top 40 Country like M&S too.
Definitely Kacey Musgraves--the song I love for the wordplay is "Merry Go Round" though "Blowing Smoke" is also awesome--though I'm sure she'll have heard Musgraves because that record was all over the place this past year.
The Wreckers (aka Michelle Branch and a friend recording country music). "Leave the Pieces" was the big hit there.
Is Kelly Clarkson too obvious? She straddles the pop/country line and produces some fun songs (try "Since U Been Gone" or anything off her greatest hits album to see if you can tolerate it).
Does she like Brandy Clark? "Stripes" is a great song that would be straight up Top 40 country.
Left-field choices that I (as a one-time refugee from Top 40 Country who likes Indigo Girls, the occasional Jay-Z song, and the Mountain Goats) like that you might try:
-Nickel Creek...if she likes emotional story lyrics, she'll love "The Lighthouse's Tale"
-Of Monsters and Men...good band, maybe too rock-y for your sister
-Ingrid Michaelson..."You & I" has "Oh let's get rich and buy our parents/homes in the south of France" which is the bestest lyric
-P!nk...has some of that anthemic girl power thing which Taylor does so well
-The Lumineers...hit some of the country music points (guitars, mandolins, vocal harmony, etc.) according to Pandora/Music Genome Project
posted by librarylis at 9:50 PM on December 22, 2014
Definitely Kacey Musgraves--the song I love for the wordplay is "Merry Go Round" though "Blowing Smoke" is also awesome--though I'm sure she'll have heard Musgraves because that record was all over the place this past year.
The Wreckers (aka Michelle Branch and a friend recording country music). "Leave the Pieces" was the big hit there.
Is Kelly Clarkson too obvious? She straddles the pop/country line and produces some fun songs (try "Since U Been Gone" or anything off her greatest hits album to see if you can tolerate it).
Does she like Brandy Clark? "Stripes" is a great song that would be straight up Top 40 country.
Left-field choices that I (as a one-time refugee from Top 40 Country who likes Indigo Girls, the occasional Jay-Z song, and the Mountain Goats) like that you might try:
-Nickel Creek...if she likes emotional story lyrics, she'll love "The Lighthouse's Tale"
-Of Monsters and Men...good band, maybe too rock-y for your sister
-Ingrid Michaelson..."You & I" has "Oh let's get rich and buy our parents/homes in the south of France" which is the bestest lyric
-P!nk...has some of that anthemic girl power thing which Taylor does so well
-The Lumineers...hit some of the country music points (guitars, mandolins, vocal harmony, etc.) according to Pandora/Music Genome Project
posted by librarylis at 9:50 PM on December 22, 2014
The Band Perry and Sugarland both have a similar pop/County feel.
posted by nalyd at 9:52 AM on December 23, 2014
posted by nalyd at 9:52 AM on December 23, 2014
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Maybe First Aid Kid, who Swedish but are definitely dabbling in pop-Americana.
posted by darksong at 1:34 PM on December 21, 2014 [1 favorite]