Mandy Moore's Alternative to Alt-Country
So many people have been telling me that pop star Mandy Moore's new song sounds really country and that I should check it out because I would love it. So I did, and I do. The song has a bouncy Sheryl Crow beat, the lyrics have the mandatory catchy hook, and the vocals sound a little twangier than in her straight-up pop tunes. It's called "I Could Break Your Heart Any Day of the Week." But when I saw a quote from Moore on her Web site, I got confused. She says: "This initially had the feel of an alt-country song, then we added a smattering of clavinet which, in turn, became the focal instrument of the song." So does that mean she added the clavinet (a funky electrophonic keyboard) to take away the country sound? Or that the smattering of clavinet buries the song's country vibe unintentionally? If you get it, please let me know.
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Redmaz says:
I was wondering if you know what Alt.Country is? It’s history? What it represents? Does Moore? Just curious to know what kind of research you’ve done. If you get a chance would you tell me what Alt.Country is Alison. Thanks
Jasper says:
I love Mandy Moore’s new album. But when I listened to it I never considered it to be Alt. Country until you brought it up. Great album. Great blog.
Kim says:
Maybe we should as her husband what alt-country is. That might actually be pretty funny. Mandy’s album sounded more late 60’s, early 70’s CA pop, maybe a little Americana to me. Lori Mckenna wrote some of the songs on the album, so maybe a vague country feel to some.
TierraStudios says:
I don’t really imagine Mandy Moore as a country artist, but I guess I could see it if I took a listen to her new song. Interesting point you bring up!
Curan says:
this is just stereotyping.
Mandy Moore’s latest as well as Wild Hope is a departure from her bubblegum pop. And its actually a good thing.
ALt.country or not, it’s a great album.
Lots of people resist the alt.country tag on Mandy Moore due to her bubblegum past.
Let’s understand that the alt.country tag is what indie rock is to rock music. It;s a hipster’s tag.
I myself am not a hipster. I’m just a regular dude who makes a living but still can relate to the music of Mandy Moore, Ryan Adams, Rascal Flatts, and Hank Williams Sr as if it’s just one kind of genre altogether
RRick says:
Its refreshing that Mandy isn’t loudly proclaiming that she’s Gone Country and instead is just putting out new music that speaks for itself. The hard sell approach of Jessica Simpson didn’t go over so well, so I applaud Mandy’s more relaxed approach. I wonder if husband Ryan Adams will have Mandy open his shows just so they can tour together? Hmm….
Redmaz says:
I didn’t know Ryan Adams married her. Maybe that why she’s throughing the Alt.Country term around now.
To curan, it may be a “hipster” tag to some, but it’s also a musical movement that started in the early 90’s. Like it or not it is and will always be a part of music history.
Redmaz says:
Oh man…”Throwing” the Alt.Country term around. Also, in this headline context, I will say that the “Alternative to Alt.Country” is Pop Country, so basically she’s right back where she started. In Pop Music. See how that all worked out?
eveline says:
i may sound like a total airhead right now, but whats alt country and whats clavinet
Redmaz says:
To eveline, if you are still around and interested in learning about Alt.Country, please reply back. I will be glad to help you. Thanks