I'll start with an easy one.

Avett Brothers. They have an incredible way with words and write songs with depth and meaning. Even in their more lighthearted songs they still have a knack for turning phrases in a way I think is pretty clever. I don't love every bit of their material, but when they're good they're amazing IMO. I also find it impressive that after almost 20 years worth of albums they haven't lost their edge. I think the most recent Gleam album is as good as anything they've ever done.

John Moreland is great.
Jason Isbell
Justin Townes Earle (RIP)

I'm a huge Avett fan but the answer is Isbell.

I think the guys from Turnpike are good good storytellers and I also enjoy Hayes Carl and more recently Tyler Childers

Tanya 93 said:

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Jason Isbell


EOT

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Well threads over

Seconding Isbell and Moreland

I've always appreciated early Ryan Adams' songwriting. Ryan Bingham can jot some lyrics too.

Not the best but I've been really enjoying Corb Lund lately.

Just to break up the country/americana train, I'll throw out Jesse Lacey from Brand New.

But yeah, Jason Isbell, Evan Felter, Tyler Childers, Zach Bryan, Justin Townes Earle, Colter Wall - the genre definitely has a dearth of good songwriters

Not sure how I got into Corb Lund but he's great.

For me its gotta be Sia.

She written a ton of songs for other singers and had a bunch of hits herself.

rilloaggie said:

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I'd argue Corb Lund is the most accurate "country" artist alive. No dumb dirt road redneck tropes, just actual country goodness. Takes a special songwriter to work "sugar beet choke" into a song!

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Don't get me started onnnnnnnnnnnnn...alfalfa bloats

Had no idea there were this many Corb fans.

Been enjoying Zach Bryan lately

If this is turning into a Corb Lund thread, this is one of my favorites:

Any love for TXs own Justin Furstenfeld? Blue October. Guy has great lyrics and melodies covering a lot of topics, 20 years ago, and still today. Early on was depression, alienation, and relationships, now it's a lot more positive about family, kids and enjoying life since he turned his life around.

Dustin Kensrue - Thrice (plus solo efforts)

rilloaggie said:

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I'd argue Corb Lund is the most accurate "country" artist alive. No dumb dirt road redneck tropes, just actual country goodness. Takes a special songwriter to work "sugar beet choke" into a song!

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aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaand ...alfalfa bloats.

damn it. got beat and got the lyric wrong. Massive fail on my part.

I love that song. He's another one that Spotify guided me toward at some point.

I think this or 'S Lazy H.' Also like 'Student Visas'

NF, if you're into rap.

Ryan Bingham
Tyler Childers

Tyler Childers



EOT

Taylor Swift

EOT

NSFW, but Lil Dicky's lyrics are clever and hilarious.

agreed.

We mostly lost touch when I moved to NYC back in '05, though hung out a few times up there when they were on tour. But was pretty good friends with Justin back in the day for a number of years. I've always appreciated his lyrical and songwriting capabilities. I will admit, I liked the earlier/darker stuff better, but I'm glad he dug out of that hole.

Scott Hutchison (RIP)
Ben Schneider