William Tyler - Modern Country
Critic Score
Based on 15 reviews
2016 Ratings: #111 / 1004
User Score
Based on 83 ratings
2016 Rank: #213
Liked by 1 person
June 3, 2016 / Release Date
LP / Format
Merge / Label
Folk, Folk Rock / Genre
Sign In to rate and review

CRITIC REVIEWS

80
Pitchfork
The beauty of the album lies in the fact that Tyler is able to pay homage to these foundations not with bitterness or cynicism but with awe, appreciation, and even hope.
80
Tiny Mix Tapes
Although it is Tyler’s shortest work to date, its scope is his widest yet, seizing the reigns like a classic Western in search of its farthest horizon.
80
AllMusic
The sprawl of motion, texture, and color is reined in by immense, emotive lyricism and dynamic group interplay, making this musical "letter" to his vanishing nation well worth repeated listening.
80
SPIN
Figuring out how the past plays into our understanding of the present, he’s an Americana archivist trading in complex guitar compositions.
80
Exclaim!

Modern Country is a conceptually ambitious, heartfelt undertaking. Some might notice the lack the unbridled colour that characterized Impossible Truth, but ultimately, it isn't enough to hinder the listener's experience; Tyler's profound understanding of his homeland makes Modern Country an incredibly memorable endeavour.

80
The Guardian

Modern Country, Tyler’s third album, is described as a “love letter” to this vanishing world. Yet for all the focus on the past, it is musically a lightyear-leap forwards.

75
Under the Radar

Modern Country is the guitarist at both his most giving and lucid.

musicmagpie55
77

An impeccable piece of instrumental magic, each song is expansive and cinematic. This has to be one of the most immediate instrumental albums I have ever heard. There are references to 70's folk and country music (I see you Windham Hill Records!), but it sounds rather timeless. This is the album I play if I am in the car and I need to feel like I'm in a 'Thelma and Louise' montage.

Doofy
77

American primitivism dressed up as widescreen americana dreamscapes - the best sort of 'background music' you could hope to find.

CheapandLethal
75

Decent

Purchasing Modern Country from Amazon helps support Album of the Year. Or consider a donation?


Added on: April 15, 2016