Those Poor Bastards

I know what you're probably thinking. "Oh, Country music? It must suck. I mean, Johnny Cash was alright, but country music is all the same abomination." I thought that way too, then I finally caved in to a friend telling me about Those Poor Bastards, and now I can not be grateful enough for introducing me to one of my favorite bands.

These fellows are a Gothic Country duo, and their production value sounds like they recorded it in a 1950's recording studio, though all of their releases are post-2000. They have a somewhat minimalistic approach to musicianship, but their composition and the way they arrange their music is simply so powerful, so heartbreaking, it's hard not to find these people amazing. From their heartbreaking lyrics of loss and destruction from the bands 'characters' of Old West ministers who enjoy the more decadent ways of life and have been trodden and cursed by their 'god', to their crooning and even screams of pure desperation (that's right, they include screams in this country band), I can not recommend these people enough. Though all of their records are amazing, I'd say their weakest is Plagues and the best albums to start with is either Songs of Desperation or Satan is Watching.

Enjoy wanting to kill yourself, folks.

Website

Myspace

Last.fm

Album: Lonesome Wyatt and the Holy Spooks - Sabella (2001)

EP: Those Poor Bastards - Country Bullshit EP (2004)

Album: Those Poor Bastards - Song of Desperation (2005)

Album: Those Poor Bastards - Hellfire Hymns (2007)

Album: Those Poor Bastards - Plagues (2008)

Album: Those Poor Bastards - Satan is Watching (2008)

Album: Those Poor Bastards - Abominations (2009)

Album: Lonesome Wyatt and Rachel Brooke - A Bitter Harvest (2009)