South By South West: A Road Map to Alternative Country Music - Discover Underground Artists & Road Trip Soundtracks for Adventurous Travelers

For me, the strength of this book was in the names of artists that it drops. I was pleased to read about the many different bands - some well known, some completely obscure to an alt-country stranger . The book gives a pretty definitive listing of bands whom the label applies to. The book also attempts to trace the bloodline of this musical branch through the history of americana music, starting from the early mountain ballads and southern gothic folk to the music of the big city 60's, further tracing to the anti-Nashville movements popping up all over the Texas area. From Dylan and Springsteen, to Calexico and Will Oldham, a wide variety of performers are given a good share of exposure.This book is surely directed at those who would like a nice foothold in the alt-country world without spending hundreds on cd's and box sets. I don't think there is enough information for hardcore cowpunk fans, nor is there anything that would convert any country haters. For those who are even slightly fascinated with anti-country or americana music and need a good band primer, this is the book.