About the list: I have experimented, shuffled and worked my fingers to the bone with this list and then revised it and revised it again under a couple of years. Now the list is finished and, of course, the first of lists under the Lists departement.
|
No |
Cover | Album | Artist |
Notes |
|
1 |
 |
Built with Bones (2007) |
Christian Williams |
The "Holy Grail" of all Gothic Country albums. Ultra-rare and unsurpassed. Amazing what you can achieve with just a Martin guitar, a zeppified Deering Goodtime banjo and a dark baritone. The album will stand the test of time under all circumstances. |
|
2
|
 |
Through the Trees (1998) |
The Handsome Family |
On their third full-length album their twisted take on dark country music was fully developed. The songs deals with the tallest person ever and bipolar wards among other themes. The album have retained its strong luminosity over the years. |
|
3
|
 |
Sackcloth 'n' Ashes (1995)
|
16 Horsepower |
16 Horsepower's debut album Sackcloth 'n' Ashes has an obvious reference to the Bible. The religious imagery is omnipresent. The mother of (almost) all “gothic country” bands honors the expectations with this groundbreaking album. |
|
4
|
 |
The Kingdom is on Fire (2007) |
Sons of Perdition |
The album made an indelible impression on me, especially the song "Blood in the Valley". Lonesome Wyatt from Those Poor Bastards was given a carte blanche to record a hellish sermon for the song. Wyatt decided to go the whole hog. There's absolute no holding back here. |
|
5
|
 |
El Santo Grial: La Pistola Piadosa (2011) |
Slackeye Slim |
Slackeye Slim is ridiculously talented. The album was appointed “Album Of The Year" in 2011 and placed no. 9 in "The Greatest Underground Country Albums Of All Time" by the touchy but reputable site Saving Country Music (SCM). I rank it higher. |
|
6
|
 |
Satan is Watching (2008) |
Those Poor Bastards |
Without any doubt the hardest album on the list. Those Poor Bastards have several times raised the bar for evil doom country. With this album they push themselves a little bit further. This album definitely shines the brightest (no irony in this) in their extensive production. |
|
7 |
 |
Munly & the Lee Lewis Harlots (2004)
|
Munly & the Lee Lewis Harlots |
Munly & the Lee Lewis Harlots is one of many constellations with Jay Munly. Munly & the Lee Lewis Harlots only released one album. But this album is a masterpiece. Nothing lasts forever. Even the longest, the most glittering reign must come to an end someday. |
|
8
|
 |
Black River Falls (2001) |
Reverend Glasseye and His Wooden Legs |
Don't judge a book by its cover. So the saying goes. But, this is not true for album covers. An album cover should interact with the music. This debut album is precisely as good as the album cover indicates. Reverend Glasseye was too talented for his own good. |
|
9 |
 |
If We Can't Trust the Doctors... (2004) |
Blanche |
Blanche's debut album is packed with attitude and self-confidence. With this masterpiece they truly live up to their mission statement: "To create, maintain and extend throughout the community high standards of musical standards". |
|
10 |
 |
Chasing Locusts (2007) |
Strawfoot |
Strawfoot came, flourished and disbanded. Strawfoot stayed around long enough to release two exquisite albums. They are both out-of-print and extremely rare. The debut album shines slightly more brightly. |