20 Country Albums Every Rock Fan Should Listen To
8. Sound And Fury - Sturgill Simpson
Ever since the turn of the century, there has always a certain niche of the world interested in the outlaw form of country music. While many of the bro-country stars tend to permeate the charts with one insufferable party jam after another, there are plenty of other artists known to indulge in the more dangerous sides of the country style. Even though acts like Chris Stapleton have been known to not play by the rules, Sturgill Simpson's Sound and Fury is the equivalent of taking the rulebook and throwing it out a window.
As this album unfolds, you can hear the country firmly intact underneath the surface, but the added extensions are where this album really shines. From one track to the next, you can get everything from glistening pianos to bluesy guitar licks all held together with some of the most muscly melodies Sturgill has ever laid down on record.
Whereas most other artists would cite acts like Hank Williams as a primary influence for the dark side of country, the more rootsy delivery of some of these songs feel like they could fit in the mold of a band like ZZ Top just as well. Complete with an almost post-apocalyptic animation to accompany it, never has a country album been more aptly titled in the modern age.