No Depression

Any fans of this scene? Anybody know any artists that are Christian?

No Depression?  Never heard of it.

Yeah maybe I should have been more specific. Lol. 

It's alternative country. Uncle Tupelo, Jayhawks, Wilco and the like.

Wait a second.  I thought Alternative Country was Rock -n- Roll.

Here's the song that defined the movement. Uncle Tupelo put out four albums before splitting into two other bands in the scene, Son Volt and Wilco. This is more acousticy but the music is equally influenced by Waylon Jennings, the Carter Family, Johnny Cash, The Ramones, Black Flag, The Sex Pistols and The Clash. So you can see why I like it...

Here's another good example.

I like Graveyard Shift.  No Depression didn't do anything for me.  It sounded like a typical Bluegrass/Country song whereas Graveyard Shift is Rock.

I occasionally listen to Uncle Tupelo, not completely familiar with them but won't turn them off when I hear them. I also like Mic Harrison and The High Score (Mic used to be in the Alt-Country band The V-Roys). Personally, I really like this video because it was filmed in Knoxville and I recognize the scenes.



Now you have inspired me, off to watch some Wilco and Uncle Tupelo vids.

I can't think of anyone in the Christian industry doing this.  They tried to get Christian country to fly back in the 90s but most of the labels shut those divisions down due to lack of sales.  Since pop radio doesn't play this, you won't hear it on any of the mainstream Christian radio stations, either.  That pretty much relegates to finding indie artists if you want to hear Christ uplifted in this arena.

Sadly, I think you're right alldat. The thing with Uncle Tupelo that's interesting is that some of their stuff talks about Jesus.

For instance, their defining song No Depression is a cover of the Carter Family:
Oh fear the hearts of men are failing
These our latter days we know
The great depression now is spreadin'
God's word declared it would be so
I'm goin' where there's no depression
To a better land that's free from care
I'll leave this world of toil and trouble
My home's in Heaven I'm goin' there
In this dark hour, midnight nearing
The tribulation time will come
Storms will hurl in midnight fear
Sweep lost millions to their doom
I'm goin' where there's no depression
To a better land that's free from care
I'll leave this world of toil and trouble
My home's in Heaven I'm going there

And then there's the cover of the old blues standard Satan, Your Kingdom Must Come Down:
Satan, your kingdom must come down
Satan, your kingdom must come down
I heard the voice of Jesus say
Satan, your kingdom must come down

They also have a song called Lili Schull, sung in first person. The singer killed Lili and is now facing being hanged for it. He says:
Now I bow down to Jesus
In penitential grief
And I beg him now to save me
Like he did the dying thief
God bless my aged parents
Who mourn for me alone
And my wife and baby
Who will be left alone

Then there's tunes like Whiskey Bottle, which seemingly acknowledges that Jesus is the truth, despite how they're behaving:
A long way from happiness
In a three hour away town
Whiskey bottle over Jesus
Not forever, just for now
Not forever, but just for now

That is another reason that the Christian market pulled country artists off their rosters.  You can get a Jesus song on country radio if done right.  It may not even be a Christian singing it, but the message is out there.  Country has always had a few gospel songs through the years that have become hits.

By the way, I just noticed Wilco released an album called "Star Wars" and the entire thing is free.

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