Modern Country

All instrumental fingerpicked guitar, among the stalwart 21st century Fahey followers like Steve Gunn, Hiss Golden Messenger. This time around, Tyler’s joined by a band including Phil Cook and Wilco’s Glenn Kotche. The sound is spacious, warm, authentic—a throwback to the heyday of country, but with a modern wordless twist. Favorites: 1, 2, 3, 6, 7. No FCCs.

1. (9:06) **** Highway Anxiety—Transcendent song. Ambling, pensive, unhurried. Wait till the drums kick in. One of my favorite songs of the year.
2. (5:25) *** I’m Gonna Live Forever (If It Kills Me)—Fast lilting bluesy guitar, bright, wide-eyed. Drums, piano riffs. Steve Gunn was here.
3. (3:32) ** Kingdom of Jones—Spry guitar tricks, content, lakeside atmospherics.
4. (3:17) Albion Moonlight—Slower with a patient groove.
5. (6:08) Gone Clear—Vibrant, chaotic. Lots more instruments than just guitar—I hear chimes, synths, bass, effects.
6. (4:17) ** Sunken Garden—Drums, piano, guitar. Cool and placid but with a darker undercurrent heard in the piano.
7. (8:26) ** The Great Unwind—Distortion, field recordings of birds, organ, just an epic track. Closes the album with hushed, optimistic resolution.