On Sturgill Simpson Choosing Not to Make a Country Record
“All good music is soul music” — Sturgill Simpson
Being a modern day country music fan in many ways is like resigning yourself to getting your heart broken on a regular basis. All your favorite legends seem to be dying off left and right, or they have one foot in the grave, and the newest generations just aren’t replenishing the ranks of legends like they used to in previous eras. There’s also some amazing modern day artists, but then there’s the specter that seems to always hang out there above them whether they will stay country for the majority of their career, or veer off in some other direction. It seems to happen more often these days than not, from underground, independent, and Americana artists, all the way up to the mainstream. It almost makes you leery of becoming too attached to any country performer, because you run the risk of getting your heart broken in the future when they get tired of twang, and want to start dabbling in something else. Sometimes you even anticipate it happening way before it does, robbing you of some of the joy in the music.
But if you were in any way surprised by the recent announcement by Sturgill Simpson that his next record Sound & Fury is going to be a “really sleazy, steamy rock n roll record” instead of a country one, it’s fair to question just how much of a Sturgill Simpson fan you really were in the first place. He’s basically been broadcasting his intentions for the last two years, and then outright said it last November. Just watching his live shows lately, sleazy rock n roll is what he’s been showcasing. Sturgill’s last record A Sailor’s Guide to Earth wasn’t especially country either, though it could be classified as country or Americana just as much as anything else. And people seem to forget the hand-wringing that occurred in the run up to A Sailor’s Guide too. There was even some talk that it’s was going to be a full-blown EDM record.
As a country music fan, you have every right to be disappointed you’re not getting another Sturgill Simpson country record, and you shouldn’t feel ashamed about that. If country is your favorite genre and you ride or die with it, this news is disappointing. And it’s especially disappointing because you know what Sturgill Simpson is capable of when he digs his teeth into country like he does, whether it’s straightforward traditional stuff like his debut High Top Mountain showcased, or a bit more loose, but still certifiably country like his magnum opus Metamodern Sounds in Country Music. His most recent song “The Dead Don’t Die” might be one of his most solid country songs of his career. Just a few weeks ago Simpson played at the Grand Ole Opry, and showed off his Kentucky roots by putting on a blazing bluegrass set.
But as disappointed as you might be as a country music fan over this recent Sturgill development, we’re also all music fans first, before our tastes break down genre lines, or at least we should be. Perhaps it’s a little selfish of Sturgill to go veering of into whatever direction he decides to while established fans who bought into his country music career get left behind, but it’s just as selfish for fans to not want him to pursue his passions in music, wherever they may take him. So Sturgill’s next album won’t be country at all. Well now since that ship has sailed, our next concern should be if it’s going to be any good, and approach it with an open mind, as either music fans, or Sturgill fans, or even country fans, and see where it takes us. If we don’t like it, we don’t have to listen. And it’s not like Sturgill hasn’t also been dropping just many hints that eventually he’s going to make another straightforward country record again similar to how he was dropping hints that Sound & Fury was going to be a rock one.
And no, Sturgill Simpson making a rock record isn’t the equivalency of some mainstream country artist veering out of their lane into pop and rock and catching hell for it by country fans, because Sturgill is being open and honest that it’s not country as opposed to either lying to us, or preaching to us about how music must evolve and genre doesn’t matter. It’s not like this is unprecedented territory either. From Willie Nelson’s Stardust record, to Linda Ronstadt going rock, important artists in the country space have regularly experimented with other genres, or outright left, without injuring their contributions and legacy to country music if they do it right, and if they leave a respect for country music and what it did for their careers in tact.
And for the love of everything, quit saying, “If you’re saving country music, why do you keep talking about Sturgill Simpson if he’s not country?” Have you been paying attention to what’s been happening in country music for the last six or seven years? There has been a revolution in independent country music, and Sturgill Simpson has arguably been the primary catalyst for it. He’s a Grammy Country Album of the Year winner. He was nominated for the all genre Grammy for Album of the Year right beside Beyonce, Adele, Justin Bieber, and Drake. It was Metamodern Sounds in Country Music that inspired Chris Stapleton to cut a record live with Dave Cobb, and resulted in all of his success. And this speaks nothing to producing Tyler Childers, and all the success the fellow Kentuckian has seen, along with the other artists Sturgill has helped out along the way.
And all this comes from a guy who started his career opening for Th’ Legendary Shack Shakers. Why is Saving Country Music still talking about Sturgill Simpson? Because Saving Country Music was the very first to talk about him, started on the very ground floor, believed in him and went to bat for him when few others were, and watched him rise throughout his career. There’s a deep history here that you just can’t walk away from. Everything we always hoped and believed could be accomplished by our favorite independent country artists was accomplished and more by Sturgill Simpson. He made it to the very top of the mountain, which may be one of the reasons he’s searching out new challenges in different territory.
So yeah, it’s sad when as a country fan, one of your favorite artists goes away from the sound and style that made you fall in love with them. You committed to them, you believed and bought in. And let’s be honest, some of the bellyaching about Sturgill has nothing to do with the music, but with some of the things Sturgill has said politically which rubbed some of his country fans the wrong way. And just like Simpson not making a country record, some of those concerns are fair and warranted. But don’t be selfish as a country music fan. Be willing to share Sturgill with the rest of the music world. Be open to whatever music he chooses to record, regardless of the genre, because doing otherwise puts an unnecessary limitation on your musical experience, just like only listening to one genre only. And hopefully Sturgill finds his way back eventually. Because we all know, his home is country. In fact, when taking a step back and looking at the arc of his career, that ultimately might be what he’s trying to express. Sometimes you’ve got to read between the lines instead of just turning the page.
July 24, 2019 @ 9:55 am
Bravo. Great post. I can’t wait for his gangsta-rap record!
July 24, 2019 @ 9:58 am
You kid, but I bet he can drop bars
July 25, 2019 @ 11:55 am
No lie. My secret collaboration wish as been Sturgill Simpson/Kendrick Lamar for years now. I think those two could make something explosive together.R
July 26, 2019 @ 8:09 am
This brings back memories of Dylan being booed off of the folk circuit when he went rock.
July 24, 2019 @ 9:56 am
You know… it’s hard to not want some of this back. This is pure gold.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RAtbG4l6AiE
July 24, 2019 @ 6:30 pm
Sunday Valley is Sturgill’s best work. I enjoy everything he has done so far. Seeing him perform Living the Dream on Conan changed my life and I had not listened to country for 20 years. His 2011 Pickathon performance of Never go to town again is my favorite song/performance by anyone ever. I have seen him live 10 times in various places from Austin to Red Rocks to Oklahoma, etc. I wish he would go back to hard country but as long as he is making good music, I’m in.
July 25, 2019 @ 8:02 am
Sunday Valley is rock and roll. When I imagine Sturgie making a rock album I imagine it sounding like Sunday Valley
July 24, 2019 @ 9:56 am
I have this suspicion, just a hunch … I haven’t heard a lick of it … that when we get Sturgill’s new “rock” album, it’s gonna be twangier than any of us are expecting. It won’t be country, but isn’t going to be some way out-there indie rock electronic psychedelic jam-fest either.
July 24, 2019 @ 10:12 am
I wouldn’t be surprised by that at all.
July 24, 2019 @ 10:39 am
It’s just like Parker Millsap saying “Other Arrangements” was going to be a pop record. There’s plenty of “rock” music that fits into this country/Americana world. You just can’t get too bogged down labelling everything.
July 24, 2019 @ 11:08 am
You hit the nail on the head with that, LG. With just his voice alone it’s likely going to have some twang, and that’s just one aspect of it.
Just an observation, and I’m no expert, I think many seem to forget that Waylon had a similar mentality. As an artist; make the music you feel you need to make. If I remember right in his autobiography Waylon mentioned a conversation he had with Richie Albright who said something to the effect of “There’s another way to do things, and that’s rock ‘n roll.” While of course he wasn’t blatantly rock, it’s the whole mentality of taking control of the creative output and being honest, genuine, and true to your musical roots. I’ve not seen anywhere that Sturgill has lost the honesty.. He’s been pretty clear about his intentions of what music he intends to create. If a record isn’t country, he’s labeling it as whatever genre it may be. Likely because of his respect for the country/bluegrass roots. Just a hunch, and I’ve probably regurgitated what other folks are saying too.
Whatever happens I’m listening with open ears. Another great article, Trig.
July 24, 2019 @ 7:45 pm
Don’t forget that JD Wilkes plays down & dirty harmonica on this new album. That alone makes it worth checking out!
July 25, 2019 @ 8:03 am
I think it will sound like Sunday Valley’s rocking songs.
September 30, 2019 @ 9:07 am
Well now we know that all of yall were dead wrong. There isn’t as much as 1 twang in the entire record.
July 24, 2019 @ 9:57 am
That’s the way it goes. Life ain’t fair and the world is mean
July 24, 2019 @ 10:02 am
your first paragraph succinctly reflects the emotional roller coaster ride REAL COUNTRY fans have been subjected to in recent years , trigger . like a good grief counselor , you display an empathetic understanding of our pain . you prescribe remedies . you suggest ways to cope . you refer us to experts in the field who are often the very tonic we crave , the cure for the emptiness that fills us , the ‘keepers of the flame ‘. you offer a couch , through SCM , where we can lie down and thoughtfully pour out our innermost fears , our anger , our bewilderment , our discouragement AND our hopes .
i will offer once again yet another often -overlooked but sure-fire remedy to our modern-day mainstream music malaise which I’ve been using successfully for many years now :
Bluegrass .
taken aurally, even the smallest dosage is guaranteed to help ease the pain of pining for country music’s long gone legends , timeless tales , forgotten instrumentalists and substance-driven songs . bluegrass is the broccoli of these post-bro times . you can’t overdose on nutrition . a liberal smattering of high lonesome can bring you to your knees and to your senses all in the same 3 minutes . its available everywhere . it’s proven formula has been cited as the inspiration for more COUNTRY greats than we could list and it can work for you too .
Bluegrass . ask for it by name .
July 24, 2019 @ 10:39 am
Indeed. Bluegrass is just like broccoli. It’s good for me and my wife hates it.
July 24, 2019 @ 2:03 pm
give her time ….when she sees how healthy and at-peace with things you are she’s bound to come around
July 24, 2019 @ 2:11 pm
Albert,
I rarely reply directly to comments on here, out of respect for Trigger and it being his platform. That said, I always enjoy seeing what you have to say. I enjoy your insight and breakdowns on songs/artists/albums, and your perspective on both the technical and creative process of making music.
Always well-balanced and thoughtful, your thoughts and opinions tend to be a breath of fresh air when knee-jerk reactions and vitriol can so often be the norm.
Lest I be remiss, a big tip o’ the cap to Trigger for creating an environment that fosters such involved discussions and passionate debate, and allowing a real sense of community to develop amongst we “old farts and jackasses…”
July 24, 2019 @ 3:53 pm
I always enjoy Albert’s comments as well, even if I don’t always respond.
July 25, 2019 @ 9:54 am
” a big tip o’ the cap to Trigger for creating an environment that fosters such involved discussions and passionate debate,”
right on jaimito……Lord knows what we’d do without the SCM vent valve …
July 25, 2019 @ 8:48 am
Po’ Ramblin’ Boys are a great rising Bluegrass band, for anyone interested.
July 24, 2019 @ 10:03 am
Plus, he’s sorta good at Rock. Just saying.
July 24, 2019 @ 10:05 am
If Sturgill saves rock music I’m OK with that.
July 25, 2019 @ 11:58 am
It needs saving, for sure.
July 24, 2019 @ 10:15 am
I’ve never quite understood the militance of some regarding the genre of music they prefer. Good music is good music. I don’t like rap so I don’t listen to it, but I do listen to about everything else. I’ve found an amazing amount of great stuff I would never have heard by reading this blog. But in this morning alone I’ve listened to the new Sum 41 disc, listened Sturgill’s set at Farm Aid in 2016, and am currently listening (again) to the fantastic Jason Isbell live from the House of Blues in Boston in 2016. Who knows where I will go next? But for me it’s the variety of music that makes things interesting, rather than digging a deep mine within one vein of music.
Of course, to each their own. If you don’t like “sleazy, steamy rock and roll” more power to you. I do and I can’t wait to see how Sturgill executes it. And if someday he decides to make another “country” record, whatever the hell that is, I’ll look forward to that as well. We have lived for the past 20 years or so in a world where GARTH!!! is considered country. If we are going to expand things to include that no talent ass clown, I think we can probably include Sturgill. But that is simply one man’s humble opinion.
July 24, 2019 @ 10:28 am
I think there’s two separate issues here that commonly get conflated. The first is with people preferring to listen to one genre over another. The second is people calling something country when it isn’t. I run a website called “Saving Country Music.” I would definitely label myself a country fan, but I consider myself a music fan first. I most definitely listen to other genres, and enjoy that music. Also as a fan of music, I care about the quality and integrity of other genres, and want the best for all of them. I also don’t have a problem with blending genres, if it’s done well, and with heart and reverence for the separate art forms. But I also believe that genre matters because it helps us find the music that will speak to us best, and keeps the roots of all music well defined so artists can pull from those influences in their most pure form.
July 24, 2019 @ 10:22 am
“The Dead Dont Die” is a decent song. But it’s average compared to his “country” songs.
I’m looking forward to a rock album by him. I think it could be great.
July 25, 2019 @ 11:04 am
If you think “The Dead Don’t Die” isn’t Country you are absolutely delusional. Is it the best country has to offer? No but it’s not the worst either but it’s undoubtedly country music!
July 25, 2019 @ 12:34 pm
I said it’s average compared to his other country songs. I didn’t deny it was country, just that it ain’t all that and a bag of Doritos.
July 26, 2019 @ 5:01 pm
I agree with Cameron on his microanalysis and largely agree with Trigger’s macro-analysis. The small portions of the original narrative I tend to disagree with are mostly very minor points that can be chalked up to different tastes. I even agree with the ultimate conclusion so long as it’s the quality of music Sturgill is capable of making.
If I could contribute one point (because I really have worn myself out over this) it might be that the above is exactly how I felt upon the release of the last album. I think the vast majority of us gave him a pass on it for the above reasons then, especially given his new fatherhood and the message he was attempting to convey. Sturgill has made good rock music before and another “sometimes wine” would be great! While I agreed with all of the above upon the dropping of a “sailor’s guide,” it was not only not country but also not great. I suppose I’ll always welcome him back with open arms if he dropped another “high top mountain” but, frankly, if he drops another lackluster effort after “a sailor’s guide,” I do think we probably will never get that great country album again. I think the reasonable response after a sailors guide would be, “well that didn’t work maybe I should rethink my ambitions” and not “yep, time to drop that acid rock album.” I’m going to reluctantly follow Trigger on this one but, I do think the unwillingness to acknowledge that the last album “wasn’t so good, maybe I should get back to basics and return to putting out good music for my fans who put me here,” even if it isn’t spanning all the genre’s he’d hoped to cover in his self-imposed 5 record limit, is indicative of an ego issue that may prevent the type of music he once made from returning. I hope I’m wrong but, I am surprised so many of us are concerned by the genre and so few of us are concerned that ALL our playlists don’t have anything on them post Metamodern except maybe “the dead don’t die” barely made the cut. (I liked the Opry appearance but, very little new ground was covered, it was old songs and covers if I recall correctly. Not taking anything away from it, just pointing out it didn’t provide much comfort that he’s still on the pulse of great country/bluegrass music). I just hope it’s good music because he’s only getting the pass he’s getting because he is Sturgill Simpson at this point. Let Billy Strings make one bad album and hint he’s going to go edm and see how many folks are still behind him. It’s good to be king but, how much qualitative treason should we tolerate? Does this argument hold true 3 albums in a row? 4? I agree with the above but, agreed more last album.
July 24, 2019 @ 10:23 am
Well said and I think that the key takeaway from all of this is the transparency with which Sturgill is going about it. While Sailors Guide might have muddied the waters a little, he seems to be pretty good at compartmentalizing his musical interests and understands the time and place for each genre. There are a lot of artists whose brand of country I appreciate more but anyone coming here to rag on Sturgill probably just thrives on being a contrarian like the people that come here to rag on Turnpike.
July 24, 2019 @ 10:30 am
I feel like the biggest followers of Sturgill and his brand of country music are also fans of sleazy rock n’ roll. Does that make sense? I feel like his truest fans would encourage his versatility and experimentation— this is likely why they jumped on board in the first place.
And I don’t need to hear about how “traditional” High Top Mountain sounds. I get that it’s mostly a country record but the guy f**ing SHREDS and has from the start. You’d have to know from the beginning that there’s plenty of rock and soul in that man’s voice and fingers.
July 24, 2019 @ 10:30 am
Sturgill was the first country artist I heard years back that made think, “goddamn, this is really good, what other good contemporary country music have I been missing?”
Since then I’ve been scouring the web weekly, daily, with the invaluable help of sites like SCM of course, and am proud to support dozens of other great contemporary country music artists (buying their music, merch, and seeing them live).
I’m pretty sure Sturgill had that affect on many other relatively recent country music converts. That’s a great thing. Sturgill helped usher in a previously untapped fan base who had previously written off the whole genre because all they were aware of was the top-40 pop radio junk.
So, to me, Sturgill already did country a huge favor, and he can do whatever he wants at this point. Doesn’t bother me. I’ll still support him (his voice is unparalleled, and he rips on guitar so whatever he does in “rock” will certainly be up my alley), and there are plenty of other country artists who will continue to scratch the country itch for me.
August 24, 2019 @ 2:10 pm
This is completely accurate. I listen to a lot of alternative rock and pop (Tame Impala, Beach House, LCD Soundsystem, Grimes, etc.), hip-hop (Megan Thee Stallion, Young Dolph), alternative R&B (Blood Orange, Solange, Kelela, SZA) and a lot of house & techno and alternative electronic (Nina Kraviz, Polo & Pan, Aphex Twin, SOPHIE), and country was one of the only broad genres that I often wrote-off due to the generic, soulless pop country that you hear on the radio.
Metamodern Sounds in Country Music showed me that country influences can be used to make truly beautiful and innovative music, and the lyricism in his music is deeper than most anything that I listen to! Discovering his music has given me a better appreciation for other authentic country/americana artists (I also love Kacey Musgraves’ take on country) and classic country artists (Merle <3), and it has honestly diversified my music taste in a way that I never expected. Many of my friends also love Sturgill and they too are not “country fans” but rather music lovers who were often turned off from country. People try to say that artists like him and Kacey Musgraves “aren’t country” but I think it’s just that major innovation and experimentation hasn’t been explored quite as much in country. The heart and roots of their music is very country. I think they are good for country music because they show music lovers that country music can be art.
July 24, 2019 @ 10:34 am
I don’t know why everyone acts so surprised or saying that he’s running from country. Before he started putting out country records, Sunday Valley was pretty hard rocking.
July 24, 2019 @ 10:42 am
A. Very good post, please keep writing about Sturgill. I’ll keep reading. B. This album will probably end up being more “country” than what Sturgill is trying to imply. C. Great point in that we’re all music fans first. My dad raised me on Willie. Willie has taken many turns throughout his career and I keep listening.
July 24, 2019 @ 10:55 am
I remember seeing Hank III back when he was playing bars. He played country one set and then came out and played Misfits covers with a band that sounded like hell’s house band. It was one of the great things I’ve ever witnessed musically. Would love to see Strugill do something similar with a country set and then a psychedelic set. Folks that don’t like it can go home before the rock starts.
July 24, 2019 @ 10:58 am
“Folks that don’t like it can go home before the rock starts.”
That was exactly what happened most times when I saw Hank III. I saw him a dozen or so times and the place would be packed for the country and hellbilly and then when he went into the death metal, half the people would leave and the place would be overrun with unemployable losers and trench-coat mafia types.
July 24, 2019 @ 1:08 pm
I always stayed through the whole show even though I hold down a steady job and have never worn a trench coat!
July 24, 2019 @ 10:56 am
Good music will always have a home on my headphones, regardless of genre.
If it’s made with love and care and for the right reasons with the right intentions then i’ll be there.
July 24, 2019 @ 11:06 am
Oops, looks like I stumbled into a meeting of the “Saving Sturgill” club.
Don’t mistake wariness for bitterness. Sailor’s Guide will simply be the last of his albums I will buy without streaming first. And it’s not like I have an active dislike for Sailor’s Guide; it’s just something I’m very rarely in the mood for.
July 24, 2019 @ 11:46 am
He should do what he’s best at. That’s bluegrass or country. He can do what he wants, but we can be critical of it too. I loved Sailor’s Guide, so I’m hoping I love Sound and Fury, too, but I’m definitely disappointed that he’s so damn intent on not making country records. At this point, “there will be more country records” sounds like placation instead of honesty.
July 24, 2019 @ 12:13 pm
I, for one, couldn’t be more excited about this project, and I’ve been listening since the Sunday Valley Days (thanks, SCM). As some others have said, I don’t find this direction very surprising if you’ve been paying attention. I’m a fan of his worldview, as well (I don’t expect “country” artists to have to be conservatives like many others seem to).
Most of my favorite artists/bands toe the rock/country line as well (DBT, Ryan Bingham, Lucero, Tyler Childers, Shooter Jennings, John Moreland, Jason Isbell, Steve Earle). I often find “true country” to be a bit too derivative and vanilla at this point. To each their own, though. Getting a post-apocalyptic samurai anime to accompany the album is just icing on the cake.
July 24, 2019 @ 12:24 pm
He is welcome to make any kind of album he likes, just as fans will decide if that is what they want as well. I was also a very early Sturgill supporter, thinking this would be the end-all be-all of modern country. Maybe I’m perceiving this wrong, but Sturgill’s cut off the nose to spite the face attitude can get a bit old. Oh the fans are enjoying this? Okay we’ll go in a new direction to be edgy because I’m an artist!!! I will still listen to this record with an open mind, and I like that genre of music, but my excitement is low until we hear a song.
And let’s not completely let Sturgill off the hook for genre hopping simply because he picked a genre this album that is a cousin of country music. If he made a pop album, he would be stoned in the streets by his old fans. Or if he actually made that EDM album, a rap album, reggae, why not Sturgill sings opera?
As I said, I will listen and likely even buy this album to be a good supporter, but Sturgill’s days will be numbered if he decides he doesn’t need country anymore. I’m sure the market for sleazy old rock and roll is nothing large.
July 24, 2019 @ 1:31 pm
I’ve always been under the distinct impression that Sturgill is doing exactly what he wants to do, genre-wise, and it has nothing to do with the fans. To me it has always seemed like he wanted to make the music he wanted to make, and any success he’s found has been a pleasant surprise.
July 24, 2019 @ 6:01 pm
He’s certainly as successful as he cares to be, popularity wise. He’s said he’d rather play to a small crowd of true fans who are into the music than hordes of superficial fans. I’m sure it is validating on some level
to have the recognition of your peers as an artist but he’s made enough money now to be able to do whatever he wants in that respect, and just focus on the joy of creation. I mean, who wants to be so famous they can’t walk down the street without being harassed? Some people might see that as shooting yourself in the foot, but those people are making assumptions based on their own value systems. Sturgill always does seem to act like every new turn of his life is a pleasant surprise!
July 24, 2019 @ 12:26 pm
“Being a modern day country music fan in many ways is like resigning yourself to getting your heart broken on a regular basis.”
You said it. So many times I’ll hear someone who does some nice country ballads, but when it comes to the uptempo material they suddenly go all-out southern rock. What was wrong with Setting the Woods on Fire, The Race is On, Chasing That Neon Rainbow etc etc? Of course Sturgill should make whatever music he wants, but honestly I’d just like country to be country. It’s better than rock anyway.
July 24, 2019 @ 12:41 pm
This is subjective, and to whoever feels otherwise, no offense to you at all. Me, personally, I loved his country records and hated Sailors Guide. AND I’m a rock and indie fan as well. I just don’t think he does rock even half as good as he does country. Again, subjective…YMMV. But, being told I need to keep an “open mind” comes off a little silly. To me at least, anyway.
July 24, 2019 @ 1:57 pm
Agreed. It sounds to me rather generic and dare I say it, bland.
July 24, 2019 @ 2:02 pm
I usually wait and stream things first, to make sure. But I bought Sailor’s Guide on vinyl unheard thinking there was no way that the guy who made Metamodern could make anything bad, and that he surely would have made a great rock album. It was a big mistake – to me. Again, I know some people like it, I just think it’s totally generic and weak.
July 24, 2019 @ 4:13 pm
Keeping an open mind about a project you’ve never heard, and feeling compelled to like a project because someone tells you to are two different things. I try to go into listening to Thomas Rhett and Florida Georgia Line records with an open mind. That doesn’t mean I have to like them. And if you don’t want to even try, that’s your prerogative.
What I tried to illustrate in this article is that this is not a binary issue. You can be disappointing in Sturgill Simpson’s decision to not want to make a country record, but still give it a try. You may not care if it’s country or rock, and still not like it once it’s released. All I’m trying to say is that I don’t see the value is writing off any record for any reason before we’ve heard it, especially if it’s from an artist who you’ve connected with in the past.
July 24, 2019 @ 4:35 pm
“Keeping an open mind about a project you’ve never heard, and feeling compelled to like a project because someone tells you to are two different things.”
Agree.
But this long post also reads as telling (or asking) your readers to be open minded to rock and other genres – in anticipation of a rock Sturgill album SPECIFICALLY. Think about that.
My point was that I already have an open mind, like many rock bands, and didn’t like his last rock effort. Could this one be better? Will I give it a shot? Yes. But your advice just comes off a little fan boyish to me. Theres nothing wrong with that, as long as we can call it what it is.
July 24, 2019 @ 7:39 pm
If you’re already doing what the post suggests, perhaps the article isn’t really aimed at you.
Do you comment on savinggelatinousdesserts.com that you already know how to make Jell-O, so putting the instructions on the package is a bit insulting?
July 24, 2019 @ 8:30 pm
Why yes, and Jon, is that you?
July 24, 2019 @ 9:46 pm
At least you’re consistent, then. I can respect that.
And I’m not sure, but it might be! Not big on the gelatinous desserts, though, so you won’t see me ’round those parts.
July 25, 2019 @ 5:16 am
I think we can all relate to being a little “fanboyish” at times when we have a favorite artist who were emotionally invested in who we think can “do no wrong”. I know I get that way when I go see Sarah. To me she’s “the underdog” “the little engine that could”. She’s so accessible but I don’t want to be “that guy” so I do toot a horn for her whenever possible. I’m sure Trig feels that way about Sturgill so I get it. Although I don’t love a lot of his music I respect the hell out of him as an artist and still excited for a new album.
July 25, 2019 @ 10:36 am
Well said, and I hope I like the new one myself.
Sarah is cool as shit, and good people.
July 24, 2019 @ 1:08 pm
Duke Ellington put it best: “There are two kinds of music. Good music, and the other kind.”
Sturgill’s definitely good music!
Beyond that, many of the recent country greats (Merle, Willie, Waylon, Doug Sahm, Steve Earle, Dwight Yoakam, Uncle Tupelo, to name a few…) have always mixed things up – that’s what makes them great! The same way it makes Sturgill great! It’s either got soul (“All good music is soul music,” to quote Sturgill,) like the above or B.B. King, Buddy Guy, Ralph Stanley, James Carr, Charlie Rich, the White Stripes, the Allman Brothers Band, Van Morrison, the Flatlanders, or tons of others.
It’s either good or it isn’t.
Beyond that, if you love music then who really needs to obsess about the so-called genres that great musicians ignore anyway…
July 24, 2019 @ 1:47 pm
Probably more along the lines of Sunday Valley and who would be mad about that???
July 24, 2019 @ 1:58 pm
Speaking of “sleazy” and “steamy”, not to mention genre bending, anybody heard Paul Cauthen’s recent singles from his forthcoming album (not to get off topic)? “Cocaine Country Dancing” and “Holy Ghost Fire”. Very sleazy and funky.
I played “Cocaine Country Dancing” at a small house party at my place, to a group of non-country people, last weekend and everybody loved it. Curious to hear what Trigger and other SCM readers think.
I’ve been slow to get on board with Cauthen (the blatant Cash mimicry turned me off), but these new singles make for great after-hours groove music. I always get crap for trying to throw a country song into the mix at late night parties, but this new stuff seems to work great.
July 24, 2019 @ 3:10 pm
I’ve never heard anything by him before – just played Cocaine Country Dancing and couldn’t help but hear the GNR Lies version of You’re Crazy underneath the intro and verses.
The second track also has that ring of familiarity – I can’t quite place it, but I think it was used in the closing credits of a tv show recently – almost Ain’t No Love In the Heart of the City .. but not quite.
July 24, 2019 @ 2:39 pm
SS is free to make any kind of music he chooses. He doesn’t need my advice or opinion. I realized I wasn’t as big a fan of his as I thought.
July 24, 2019 @ 3:03 pm
This is great for C(c)ountry music. Because it doesn’t help C(c)ountry music to have mediocre tribute acts being hoisted up as anything more than what they are.
July 24, 2019 @ 4:42 pm
Honkey this is 2 articles so far in a week, let’s see if we get to your anticipated 4.
July 24, 2019 @ 5:08 pm
I said it would be 4, IF SS returns to c(c)ountry.
July 24, 2019 @ 7:09 pm
Yep, my bad.
July 24, 2019 @ 9:03 pm
We’ve gotten two in about three days, so it seems like the pace is about right thus far. This could be your fault. 😉
July 25, 2019 @ 10:29 pm
Hope Trig posts a Sturg article every day from now until the end of time and then hopefully your troll ass’ll get tired and move on down the line for good.
July 24, 2019 @ 7:16 pm
Yet again the same old, nonsensical Sturgill comment from Honky. For someone who you claim has no talent, you sure do seem to spend a lot of time concerning yourself with him Honky. It’s obvious you just like to post controversial comments and pound your chest as the self proclaimed purest country music listener on earth. It’s not working very well.
July 24, 2019 @ 4:29 pm
An artist should do what he or she is best at. Variation is fine but don’t make an entire sonic change.
That being said, I did love Sailor’s Guide. I’m simply not as optimistic about Sound and Fury.
July 24, 2019 @ 4:47 pm
My hero’s have always been cowboys, and while Sturgill is good by today’s standards, but he has never been a purely authentic cowboy singer, and hasn’t put out a truly water shed album in a while.
July 24, 2019 @ 6:31 pm
Can we move on from Sturgill now?
July 24, 2019 @ 7:08 pm
You are free to do as you please.
July 25, 2019 @ 7:24 am
No we can’t. You can though.
July 25, 2019 @ 7:33 am
Already have. Thanks for your thoughtful and insightful reply.
July 25, 2019 @ 8:49 am
Anytime brother
July 25, 2019 @ 10:31 pm
You’ve moved on but felt the need to click on the article and comment anyway.
Funny way of moving on.
July 26, 2019 @ 4:36 am
I move slow.
July 25, 2019 @ 8:06 am
If you started with Sunday Valley you’d know something about Sturgill but you seem to be one of those band wagon hoppers who is just as easily a band wagon jumper.
Bye.
July 25, 2019 @ 9:51 am
Toddxolsen,
Do not speak of that which you do not know of. I am no bandwagon rider. Been listening and playing music for as long as you have probably been on this earth. I am referring to the articles about Sturgill, not Sturgill himself.
July 25, 2019 @ 10:32 am
It’s always those who get so defensive about being called out for the bandwagon riding who are the ones who ride it so hard. Pretty sure everyone has been listening to music as long as they’ve been alive. I don’t think you’ve really cornered the mark on listening to music for a long time or anything and how do you think you have any idea how old I am? Because I’m not leaving complaining curmudgeony whiny boring old person comments you think I’m some young dude and you’re some old dork?
Trigger has been writing Sturgill articles since Sunday Valley and it’s honestly articles about him that brought me to this site. If you don’t like what he’s writing about go log onto the boot or taste of country.
July 24, 2019 @ 7:35 pm
“All good music is soul music” — Sturgill Simpson
I like that Trig. Good shit. Says just about everything????
July 24, 2019 @ 8:27 pm
Very well said, Trig.
July 24, 2019 @ 8:29 pm
I’m surprised there have been no mention of Sugar Daddy, the title song for the HBO show Vinyl that he did. That was a solid rock song and I hope this album builds from that.
July 25, 2019 @ 4:20 am
Good point. People who haven’t hear that should go listen now. I was kind of thinking also of his rendition of California Women, the Hoyt Axton song he played occasionally at festivals last summer. In an Instagram post last year JD Wilkes, who plays harmonica on the record, described the songs as “catchy tunes” and implied they would be something you wanted to move your body to.
July 24, 2019 @ 9:35 pm
High Top Mountain was his only country record. So what? Whatever he’s done has been great, no matter what it’s called.
July 25, 2019 @ 2:51 am
I think what some people are missing here is that each of Sturgill’s albums are basically built around a concept. If he went into the studio with no preconceived notion other than he wanted to make a record about life and sin, then form follows function. No surprise that it came out hard rock. He’s said that most of his songs start out as poetry written on the road and he has ideas floating around in his head about what to do with them, but that doesn’t really come together until he gets in the studio. No surprise either that when thinking of what to do for music videos the idea came for Japanese anime since the concept deals with that period of his life in Japan when the Navy boys would go partying.
July 25, 2019 @ 10:11 am
Marianne’s been paying attention.
July 25, 2019 @ 4:38 am
Great article. Great writing. I think that true musicians and artists are kind of like a radio receiver, the inspiration just runs through them and they output the signal. And at different points in time they turn the dial and tune into a different station and you get a different output. Take what you need and leave the rest. If you like country Sturgill buy it, play it, dig it. If psychedelic Sturgill isn’t your thing – don’t buy don’t listen, but you don’t have to abandon him entirely.
July 25, 2019 @ 5:46 am
Pretty much spot on, but I’d argue Isbell was the catalyst more than Sturgill. Isbell was starting to gain some ears and took Sturgill out with him, helped introduce Sturgill to Cobb, etc. Its definitely a snowball effect between those two and their impact on country/ Americana.
July 25, 2019 @ 7:56 am
Actually, Shooter Jennings told Dave Cobb about Sturgill and Dave then reached out to him to make a record. I could be wrong but I believe the two of them were at a billy don burns show and Sturgill walked past them, at which point Shooter told Cobb that he was the “best country voice in Nashville”
July 25, 2019 @ 8:05 am
Yeah you’re right, I forgot about that. I remembered Stu getting a lot of Isbell dust rubbed off on him when he was first gaining traction and thought Isbell had something to do with the connection of Stu’s album getting made. But yeah it was Shooter who put Sturgill on Cobb’s radar. Crazy because it was Stu’s drummer, Miles, that put Tylet on Stu’s radar.
July 25, 2019 @ 10:34 am
As the story goes Jamey Johnson was there too.
July 25, 2019 @ 5:56 am
Great article Trigger. I am looking forward to his new album, I enjoy Country and Rock and blending the two together can produce good results. Sturgill has the guitar chops to match most in the rock scene it should be interesting to see what happens when this album is finalized.
July 25, 2019 @ 6:22 am
“we’re also all music fans first”
This was the most important line to me. All genres have something to offer. I try to take in as many different styles of music as I can. I understand that some people don’t step outside of one or two genres and that’s fine. But people need to stop acting like the artists owe us something.
Not all artists want to play the same things over and over again. They like to challenge themselves – and by the way, Sturgill is damn good at whatever style he does! I personally find A Sailor’s Guide to be he best album. I can’t wait for what’s next.
July 25, 2019 @ 6:23 am
Sturgill is free to make whatever kind of music he wants. you’re free to write about Sturgill as much as you want. and I’m free to not buy his music if I don’t want to. which I won’t be doing anytime soon.
July 25, 2019 @ 8:09 am
Trigger I wish you’d focused a bit more on how Sunday Valley was a rock band and that’s where Sturgills roots are. Listen to Jesus Boogie and that’s what I imagine this next record will sound like.
July 25, 2019 @ 10:07 am
Hey Todd,
I’ve seen a couple of people make reference to Sunday Valley here, but I’m not ready to make that comparison until I hear some music. Though Sunday Valley did have a rock edge, it still was pretty damn country/bluegrass, and I just don’t expect that from this new record. I think this is going to be a lot more sludgy and psychedelic. But we’ll see, and if those parallels deserve drawing, I will do so.
July 25, 2019 @ 10:37 am
Trigger!
Go listen to the first thirty seconds of “Where did we go wrong”, “never go to town again” and “Jesus Boogie”. It’s not sludgy or psychedelic. But it also ain’t country/bluegrass neither. That’s straight up rock n roll.
July 25, 2019 @ 1:19 pm
No doubt. I was a Sunday Valley fan way before I was a Sturgill Simpson fan. But I don’t want to promise or even imply we’re getting Sunday Valley 2.0, or even hint at it, until I hear some actual music. I think that would be unfair to Sturgill and Sunday Valley. Totally get the excitement and comparisons, but I personally want to hold off until we have more info.
July 25, 2019 @ 9:08 am
When Sailor’s Guide was release, I told my old roommate “Sturgill’s next record is going to be a no frills, dirty ass rock and roll record. Bet.” I knew it was coming.
Stu has been telling us that this is record is going to be a rocker for a long time. He’s been saying it without words for a long time. The way he’s performs “Call To Arms” live was a sign. Cutting “Sugar Daddy” for the show Vinyl was a sign. You could see that there was balls out rock and roll boiling in him dying to get out.
You could see the beginning of his creative curve when Metamodern came out, and you saw it even more when Sailor’s Guide came out. It only makes sense that his curve continue along the natural line of progression that he has built for himself. I think putting the unbridled fire of “Call To Arms” as the final track on that record was a subtle way of Stu saying “Strap in. The world needs a solid rocker right now, and I intend to deliver.”
He wasn’t hiding this from everyone…he was hiding it from the people who weren’t paying attention.
July 25, 2019 @ 10:50 am
Count me in for whatever Sturgill does until proven otherwise
July 25, 2019 @ 10:59 am
Its been downhill since high top mountain. The music, the “country” influence, in all ways including his bizarre left wing comments….. When it comes to real deal country music and vocal talent…. less Sturgill Simpson and more Tom Buller and Tim Culpepper
July 25, 2019 @ 11:09 am
I’ve been wanting a Sturgill rock record for a long time. Like some others here, I have greatly enjoyed his solo country output, but I think Sunday Valley is still his best work. He is a wild man with an electric guitar in his hand, and I have missed that side of him.
July 25, 2019 @ 11:42 am
If Sturgill going with a Rock Album means more of this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gJtCp6lVR2Q ?
Then sign me up.
July 26, 2019 @ 3:34 am
Hell yes.
July 25, 2019 @ 11:53 am
If it sounds anything close to Sunday Valley, I couldn’t be happier about this next album not being as country. He hasn’t been putting out country songs much anyway. Huge fan. Excited to see what’s round the bend
July 25, 2019 @ 12:09 pm
I think being a country fan means getting your heart broken, not necessarily when an artist you love branches out, but when you can’t get your friends to even listen to something great that they would probably like because they are so prejudiced against country music. I am hoping the Ken Burns documentary will change that some.
July 25, 2019 @ 3:31 pm
I have aid this before, but it bears repeating. Whatever this artist gives to us I am grateful for and I will certainly happily and deliriously go along for that ride!
July 25, 2019 @ 7:13 pm
I’ll follow the artists I like through any genre. I am a rock and roller at heart. Many of my favorite rock ‘n’ roll bands, from old timers like the Rolling Stones and the Eagles, to current rockers like Blackstone cherry and The Wildfeathers, have a great country songs. Meanwhile, amongst my favorite country bands, I love the turnpike troubadours, but one of my favorite songs by them is The Mercury, which is a balls out rocker. My intro to Sturgill was through his country albums, which I loved. He clearly has incredible guitar skills and I’d love to hear a rock record from him just as much as a country record. Bring it on. Mix it up. I’ll buy it either way.
July 26, 2019 @ 3:31 am
Say what you want about the man, but you can’t take away everything he’s done, the paths he’s opened for other artists, the fans’ lives he’s changed and made better by his music, etc. He also created this goddamn masterpiece of a song, might be my favorite tune of all time:
https://youtu.be/hmkL1YGg900
July 28, 2019 @ 7:47 am
Weird article. Is this more about you or Sturgill Simpson?
July 30, 2019 @ 10:29 am
Wow, that’s a long discourse and a sh*tload of comments on news of an upcoming album release. I’m not a Country Music through and through kind of guy so maybe I don’t get it, but i can’t help but think that ANY kind of album that Sturgill Simpson feels fit to release is gonna kick ass so bring it on!
July 27, 2020 @ 1:58 pm
Disclaimer, I’m a Rock fan, and Country fan, so no internal bias against the Rock. But Simpson’s rock is thoroughly over-produced, derivitive and brings nothing of value to that genre. His verses, choruses, and codas are predictable and unimaginitive. No hooks, just a droning, monotonous track where you skip-ahead 2 minutes, and it’s the same, unending garbage as minute 1. If it was the least bit interesting, I would give him all the leeway he might ask from a fan, and continue following and buying his music. But for not. One might successfully take the risk of switching genre’s. but even deadlier to one’s success is taking the simultaneous risk of being dull and boring.