Country music reviews, In an attempt to bring you the very best in Country Music reviews, Rikks Revues has gathered the best Independent and signed, or Major and smaller label country acts and has gathered them in one place for your viewing and listening pleasure. So take your time, and when you get done with one review, go back (click the arrow after the review) to the main Country reviews page, and check and see what other star, or star in the making you might have missed. If a single artist has more than one review, they will all be listed on the artists main page, newest reviews always nearer the top. Enjoy the Review of the No Depression magazine music sampler, then head back to the main country music page and check out any other artists you may have missed, or would like to read about. If you are interested in purchasing any of the CDs In Rikks Revues, links to purchase will always follow the review.

Click on the No Depression magazine CD cover to go check out their website.  

No Depression Magazine
Music Sampler

The most well known magazine on Alternative Country, openly stated by the mag (No Depression)  "Whatever That Is". If you've been wondering about the fuss, and what it sounds like this 13 track compilation should help you figure out just what it is. This disk brings you the very best in Alt. country dating back to the time the magazine was first thrown upon us. 

Alt. (Alternative) country is basically a classic country sound with a major attitude. Bringing the past of the music to the forefront, then adding some lyrical content that is NOT mainstream subject matter. No Depression also has it's own radio show to showcase the across the boundary sounds. Whether it be adding some heavier guitars and feedback to the style, or just having a rant being able to tell your stories in your own way without judgment.

For the most part Alt. country is plaid simply with the classic country instruments, then again it can at times be a harsh intrusion. The end result is one of the fastest growing genres in music today, also known as underground country. No Depression gives the music it's dues setting some of the greatest music and music makers offered today. Eclectic, Yes! The various sounds tempt you to dive further inside the music as though there are some differences, the flow of the CD is effortless and painless as almost all the tracks move effortlessy.

Johnny Cash's working of  The Time of the Preacher, a Willie Nelson penned track for example incorporates the help from members Soungarden, Nirvana, and Alice in chains. There is humor "Parallel Bars" from Robbie Fulks and Kellie Willis. Also included is "Faithless Street" that I reviewed some time ago by WhiskeyTown (Ryan Adams former band) which states "So I started this damn country band, Cuz punk rock is too hard to sing". You also find some treasures from other greats in the genre like Allison Moorer, Casey Chambers, and a re-mastered version of the Carter Family's "No Depression In Heaven" which is where the mag borrowed their name. 

  ( 5 Stars out of 6 )