Alt-country singers living the Americana dream

New albums from five acts show a genre thriving on the best US influences, says Gerry Quinn

LAST August, Merriam-Webster announced the inclusion of ‘Americana’ in their collegiate dictionary, defining it as “a genre of American music having roots in early folk and country music.” Referred to as ‘alt-country’, as a radio format the genre developed in North America in the 1990s to describe artists who didn’t fit into either country or rock styles. Artists such as Wilco, Ryan Adams, Gillian Welch, and Drive-By Truckers embraced the moniker, forging a path for performers inspired by the varied traditions of American music. Albums due for release in January by five acts show that Americana represents the freshest and most relevant sounds from across the Atlantic.

Canadians Madison Violet’s fourth album is The Good in Goodbye (True North Records). The Juno-nominated duo of Brenley MacEachern and Lisa MacIsaac (sister of fiddler Ashley MacIsaac) present 11 polished, folk-inspired songs, underlined by perfect harmonies and luscious melodies. Fallen By The Wayside — penned with compatriot Ron Sexsmith — and the title track are performances of cool assurance and earthy authority. Come As You Are employs a slow southern-rock type tempo, guided and nurtured by a deft Neil Young-style harmonica. Cindy, Cindy is propelled by a sweet bluegrass banjo and features backing vocals from Ruth Moody, who delivers her own first full-length solo record, The Garden (Red House Records), on January 16. A member of the Billboard-charting folk super-group, The Wailin’ Jennys, the Winnipeg-reared singer jettisons the band safety net to introduce her blend of folk and country. She and her cast of players fashion a dozen intimate tracks of sublime beauty, highlighted by a breathy, evocative soprano voice.