Three Alt-Country Albums for Enjoying Calgary Stampede
I understand that our titular Calgary Stampede and its accompanying country music is met with a high degree of hostility for many long-time residents of the city. For those who grew up in Calgary, it has an association that is raunchy, noisy, ludicrously expensive, and if we are being honest, sadly criminal. I can further understand that it can be straight up obnoxious to observe the annual ritual of corporate types and out-of-towners stumbling through the streets smelling of booze and larping with newly-purchased western wear. All of this is drenched in a swaggering petro-masculinity that makes any reasonable person cringe – at least a little.
But beyond the Stampede Grounds, I have a soft spot for the community's broad embrace of these festivities. I remember experiencing my first Calgary Stampede back in 2015 after just moving to the city. Whether it was the kitsch paintings of lassos and cowboy boots on storefront glass panes, the packed and sweaty LRT rides, the eager politicians flipping pancakes, or the midnight rumblings of drunken laughter; I found it all exciting. But more than that, Calgary works too goddam hard for its own good. Once a year, for ten days, our city forgets about the drudgery of urban order and allows for a bit of messiness in public life (but hopefully still with respectful limits – looking at you, Badlands Festival). With that preamble out of the way, I wanted to share three recently-released alt-country albums that might make our more weary and jaded Calgarians enjoy the festival season a bit more.
After all, this isn't their first rodeo.
Rat Saw God by Wednesday
At the intersection between noisier indie rock and alt-country is Asheville-based band: Wednesday. Their 2023 album Rat Saw God is a great introduction for the anti-country crowd, especially folks with a love for rock. "Bull Believer" is a beautifully dirty and raw combination of heavy shoegaze elements, noise rock, and Karly Harzman's stunningly harsh vocals (but in the best way). Then there is the album's love song "Chosen to Deserve". This sentimental twangy track is a beautiful (but still unsavoury) story of youthful love (if you know, you know). For myself, however, "Quarry" is a personal highlight, which chronicles a selection of local tales, like of a preachers' daughter getting pregnant (and sent out of town) and a police raid on a couple with ties to organized crime. And lyrically, this makes a lot of sense, because thematically, the entire album genuinely speaks to rural decay of the bands' Appalachian homes. Given how much of modern country is performative, Wednesday's authenticity is refreshing to say the least. But this is not merely just a lamentation of regional decline, but also a celebration of their home too – warts and all. And there are lots of gems like this throughout the album, but if you want to explore more of their recent work, you can look to their new album: Bleeds. Songs like "Bitter Everyday" and "Townies" are quite a lot of fun!
Tiger's Blood by Waxahatchee
On the softer side of alt-country, Waxahatchee's Tiger's Blood is a warm and gentle album that is perfectly at home on the range. "Right Back to It" is an instant classic and unquestionable highlight of the album. It speaks to that elusive and deeply unconditional love that welcomes us with warm, even in moments of doubt, insecurity, and self-sabotage. And then there are tracks like "Tiger's Blood" and "Crowbar" with the incredible vocals that could make angles jealous. As far as high energy tracks go, "Bored" is on the livelier side of the album. Compared to the prior album mentioned, all of this might sound like easy-listening, which it is, but again, the lyricism here rewards attention. In any case, this is a great album to lounge around with on a quieter summer day. This isn't generally my energy, but there are times and places for it and Calgary Stampede is is!
Manning Fireworks by MJ Lenderman
Last summer, I had this vinyl record on my turntable constantly. It has just enough twang to get me in the spirit of the season and his sincere vocal performance is fantastic. Standout tracks on Manning Fireworks include "Joker Lips", "Wristwatch", "On My Knees", but if I had to choose my absolute favourite, it would be, as it likely is for many, "She's Leaving You." This single is such a classic country song – it is right there in the song's name! How much more melancholic can you get? I know that beyond this album, his prior work seems to have greater notoriety, though I am unfamiliar with it. That being said, it should be mentioned that MJ Lenderman has influenced the prior two albums mentioned. For Waxahatchee, he is a vocalist on one of her tracks, but for Wednesday, he is a member of the band itself!
In any case, however you enjoy the last few days of this year's Calgary Stampede (or at least cope with it), have yourself a fantastic time! And remember, you can be a little bit country, and a little bit rock and roll.
