Various Artists - This Is Americana 2

With the first volume of "This is Americana," I pretty much decided that the genre which is being called "Americana" is all the roots-based American music which is too much its own self to be played on that genre's radio. It's "too country," "too blues," "too folk," or even "too rock." It's retro, it's alternative, it's futuristic, it's gritty, it's light, it's everything all shoved under one all-encompassing umbrella. And it's all good.

Lovers of good music rejoice. If you are having trouble finding great Americana (the good stuff, the real country, real blues, and real folk that doesn't make it to the radio), the AMA (Americana Music Association) has a little help for you. "This Is Americana 2" is here to give you a little taste of what's out there, with twenty great tracks culled from some of the best of the best who are out there recording.

With artists as diverse as John Doe (singing with Dave Alvin and Veronica Jane) and Eric Bib with Ruthie Foster, going all the way to Jackie Greene and Michelle Shocked, there's a little bit of everything here, each track razor-sharp and making for some incredible listening. The bittersweet, true country tongue-in-cheek "The Great Hank" from Robert Earl Keen or the alternative-folk fire of Sarah Bogges' "Daniel Lee" serve as terrific examples of the wide variety here, as do the bluegrassy flavor of Julie Lee's "Stillhouse Road" or the straightforward blues of Jitterbug Thompson's "Fool."

From rhythm rock to country and blues, Americana is great music. Anyone who loves roots music will find something to love here, and perhaps someone new to seek out. There's some good liner notes with info on each of the artists, the name of the album the song is from, websites and full credits for each song. This is Americana. Grab a beer, kick back, and enjoy.