About the list: The word "beautiful" isn't exactly the first thing that comes to mind. But gothic country music has in fact its delicate moments. It's extremely difficult to explain and I will not elaborate any further on that subject. Anyway, here is the list.
|
No |
Cover | Song/Album | Artist |
Notes |
|
1 |
 |
Laudanum Lady / Built with Bones (2007) |
Christian Williams |
This is a Victorian break-up song. Laudanum was the drug of choice in the 19th century, usually preferred by women. "But you'll be a lonely laudanum lady now." Un-gothic intro by Chopin. |
|
2 |
 |
Song of Ruin / Trinity (2013) |
Sons of Perdition |
A man is slained, buried, then dug up and given a drink of whiskey (since the drink was paid for, but never drunk) while pictures are taken. This is the story of the Canon Diablo shootout in 1905. |
|
3 |
 |
Into the Piano / Consider the Birds (2004) |
Wovenhand |
A subdued, introvert and minimalistic song with a distant piano echoing. The religious references are ubiquitous. "His hand for me a sovereign tone / I pray him come I pray him soon". |
|
4 |
 |
The Petrified Forest / Honey Moon (2009) |
The Handsome Family |
The Handsome Family has a couple of "beautiful" songs in their vast catalogue. This song is great. "When we were together I lay in your river / As the fish swam through my hands". |
|
5 |
 |
Mary Girl / A Handful Of Locusts (2010) |
The Victor Mourning |
This delicate song defines melancholy. It's perfectly attuned. The arrangement, lyrics and performance are solid. There's nothing to add or withdraw here. Talented gothic country band. |
|
6 |
 |
'til Exhaustion or Collapse / Shy Ghosts (2016) |
T.K. Bollinger |
A song that ends with "No angel spoke to me / But I still feel blessed / So I'll still sing my dark to you / Even though you're unimpressed / 'Til exhaustion or collapse" is beautiful, if anything. |
|
7 |
 |
The Western Lands / Giving My Bones to the Western Lands (2015) |
Slackeye Slim |
This song belongs to the highlights on the album. It's almost hymnal in its structure with guitar, lap steel, whining-singing saw and vocals. Slackeye Slim can write beautiful songs, indeed. |
|
8 |
 |
Evil Selfish Fool / Sing it Ugly (2016) |
Those Poor Bastards |
TPB is not known for any beautiful songs. Despite the album title this song is sung beautifully "I know I am awful, I know I deserve this / I wish I was not what I am / Evil selfish fool". |
|
9 |
 |
White Horse / The Earth and All That is in It (2010) |
The Roe Family Singers |
A beautiful song about drug addiction from their debut album. Then they made a change to more family-friendly music. Change is not always a good thing. Not in this case, anyway. |
|
10 |
 |
Avalon / Axis Mundi (2015) |
Brown Bird |
Marked by leukemia Dave Lamb sings to his wife MorganEve Swain "You're a huntress and a healer / And a holder of hands / And your heart is the Avalon / That I seek for my end". 45 seconds. |