Decade-End Round-Up: Top 40 No Depression Albums

Alright, gang, I know it it ain't much to look at, but here's my list for the top 40 No Depression/Americana/Alt-Country albums of the aughts. It's been a great decade for this stuff, and this list could have easily been longer. That said, if you think this list is too long, pick the number you want to start and and count down from there.

Am I a lazy man for not doing write-ups on these albums? Maybe, but if you're really curious, you could, I dunno, get your hands on some of these albums and hear for yourself what made them so great.


40 The Revolution Starts Now, Steve Earle (2004)
39 Dollar Store, Dollar Store (2004)
38 Chavez Ravine, Ry Cooder (2006)
37 New Deal, Waco Brothers (2002)
36 Kiss It Goodbye, Chris Mills (2000) ▲
35 Streets of New York, Willie Nile (2006)
34 I And Love And You, Avett Brothers (2009)
33 Bulletproof, Reckless Kelly (2008)
32 Time (The Revelator), Gillian Welch (2001)
31 Electric Dirt, Levon Helm (2009)

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30 Joji, Anomoanon (2004)
29 Favourite Colours, Sadies (2004)
28 Your Favorite Music, Clem Snide (2000)
27 No Such Place, Jim White (2001)
26 Everything You Thought Was Right Was Wrong Today, Slobberbone (2000)
25 The Historical Conquests of Josh Ritter, Josh Ritter (2007)
24 Okemah and the Melody of Riot, Son Volt (2005)
23 1372 Overland Park, Lucero (2009)
22 Decoration Day, Drive-By Truckers (2003) ▲
21 Acid Tongue, Jenny Lewis (2008)

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20 O Brother, Where Art Thou?, Various Artists (2000)
19 Trouble in Mind, Hayes Carll (2008)
18 Emotionalism, Avett Brothers (2007)
17 The Fine Art of Self-Destruction, Jesse Malin (2003)
16 Heartbreaker, Ryan Adams (2000)
15 Failer, Kathleen Edwards (2003)
14 Love and Theft, Bob Dylan (2001)
13 Matt Mays and El Torpedo, Matt Mays (2005)
12 Georgia Hard, Robbie Fulks (2005) ▲
11 So Much For The City, The Thrills (2003)

~~~

10 Southern Rock Opera, Drive-By Truckers (2001)
09 We Shall Overcome: The Seeger Sessions, Bruce Springsteen (2006)
08 Put the 'O' Back In Country, Shooter Jennings (2005)
07 Furnace Room Lullaby, Neko Case (2000)
06 Normal for Bridgwater, Peter Bruntnell (2000)
05 The World Won't End, Pernice Brothers (2001)
04 The Devil You Know, Todd Snider (2006)
03 Starving Winter Report, Deadstring Brothers (2005)
02 Youth and Young Manhood, Kings of Leon (2003)
01 Van Lear Rose, Loretta Lynn (2004) ▲

Still to come: Celebrations of the decade's best Garage, Hard Rock, Power Pop and Indie Rock!