Josh Rouse
Home
Slow River
Narrowly edging out Ryan Adams' "Heartbreaker," Rouse's ground-breaking 2000 release earned him the narrowest victory in Ryno Award history. A brilliant collection of folk-infused pop songs, "Home" showcases Rouse's deft songwriting talent, and establishes a new standard for the "roots-rock" genre.
Jay Farrar
Sebastopol
Warner Brothers
The debut solo album from "Alt-Country Pioneer" Jay Farrar (of Son Volt, Uncle Tupelo, blah blah) ammounts to more of the same, in a whole new way. A fine record, especially for old fans.
The Flaming Lips
The Soft Bulletin
Warner Bros.
To date, the Flaming Lips' greatest album. Part rock-opera, part art-rock, all good. People will talk about this record fifty years from now.
Richard Buckner
Since
Slow River
Since, Buckner's most accomplished recording, is a melange of heart-felt twang and mellow rock. The grandest american songwriter since Townes Van Zandt.
Son Volt
Straightaways
Warner Bros.
In 1997, Warner Bros. began a five-year stretch in which they and Slow River/Ryko alternated Ryno Award winning releases. Although "Trace" is widely regarded as Son Volt's best record, "Straightaways" is my personal favorite. From start to finish, a seamless, flawless recording.