Long before the latest country-leaning indie boom, these albums defined what alt country rock could be.

It is apparent that alternative rock infused with country is making a comeback in indie circles; A mix of sleazy, laid back indie with some good old country licks and pedal steels. With artists such as Greg Freeman, Waxahatchee and Wednesday / MJ Lenderman producing popular releases in the genre. Even the mainstream has seen a resurgence, notably Post Malone and Beyoncé lending themselves to a country edge. Let’s hark back to the nineties where the alt country rock genre seemed to really define itself, looking at 5 LPs you may have missed.

Uncle Tupelo - March 16-20, 1992 (1992)

Formed 1987 by Jay Farrer and Jeff Tweedy in Illinois, Uncle Tupelo are widely regarded as early trailblazers in the alt country genre. Their third album titled March 16-20, 1992 was a direct response to pressures from the music industry for them to align with the fashionable grungy sound of the time. With bands like Nirvana, Alice In Chains and Stone Temple Pilots at the height of popularity, Uncle Tupelo went against their record labels desires for a polished trend conscious grungy release and as the title suggests, recorded March 16-20, 1992 in just five days. Produced by Peter Buck of R.E.M, The album takes on a stripped back approach inspired by traditional US folk and country. The album features a blend of folk covers and original material, notably the shimmering instrumental ‘Sandusky’ that Jeff Tweedy denotes as the track he is musically most proud of.

Son Volt - Trace (1995)

After the dissolution of Uncle Tupelo in 1994, Jay Farrar teamed up with drummer Mike Heidorn to form Son Volt, following mounting tensions with Jeff Tweedy, who went on to establish the popular group Wilco. Son Volt’s first studio LP, Trace is a masterclass in alternative country rock. It is a melancholically unfeigned journey with just the right amount of ups and downs, reminiscent of The Byrd’s heyday. It seems only fitting to feature Jay Farrar twice on this list, given how instrumental he was in shaping the genre and never quite achieving the same level of mainstream success as Wilco did with Yankee Hotel Foxtrot.

Lucero - Lucero (2001)

Coming from a background in punk rock, Lucero formed in the late 90s out of Memphis but didn’t put out a studio album until 2000. With the self-titled album coming out in 2001 on alt country label Madjack, The genre had time to really be defined and Lucero hit the nail on the head. Singer and primary songwriter, Ben Nichols, has a gravelly, heartfelt and unapologetically southern vocal delivery with instrumentations that are equally gritty. Lucero were a band known for relentless touring and have amassed twelve studio albums since 2000, but it’s the self-titled with its slight naivety, unceasing emotion and lo-fi production that does it for me.

Ween - 12 Golden Country Greats (1996)

Known for being genre-less bohemians, Ween released an all-out country album in 1996. Their fifth studio album titled 12 Golden Country Greats is a fun western soaked odyssey whilst being instrumentally sound in production. Recorded in Nashville with some legendary musicians such as Charlie McCoy, Bobby Ogdin and The Jordanaires, the album features impressive country arrangements and amusing, sometimes farcical lyrics. Dismissed by some critics as a gimmick album and even receiving a 1/10 review in the NME at the time, The songwriting and musicianship is so strong that it has encountered a cult status among Ween fans, a band whose appeal has always been distinctly marmite. 12 Golden Country Greats is sleazy, Honky Tonkin’ and I personally think it’s great.

Velvet Crush - Teenage Symphonies To God (1994)

Initially signed to Alan McGees Creation Records, The Velvet Crush are masters of country infused power pop, often compared to Big Star in audio and sentiment. Their 1994 LP Teenage Symphonies To God nails the wall of sound country rock style. Fittingly, it gets it title from a reference to Brian Wilson's description of the music he was creating during Smile. With glistening guitars and pedal steels, heartfelt lyrics and a laidback feel, The Velvet Crush infuses country sensibilities with slacker indie rock establishing an American gem in the Creation Records catalogue.