Put A Record On: All My Exes Live...On Twitter

Would you walk down a major road without any clothes on and other existential questions (plus a sale on subscriptions!)

Welcome back to Don’t Rock the Inbox! Here’s this week’s music recommendation post and playlist, which is for paying subscribers only! If you’re been on the fence about subscribing, well, good news for you: we’re having a back-to-school sale, with 35% off annual subscriptions for only FOUR more days — $52 instead of the usual $80 for a year of full access to all our country music writing, recommendations, live events, playlists, and community.

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Photo: @mamahotdog (and also will someone please please send us this outfit)

The Good

“All My Exes Live In LA,” Lola Kirke: Because Lola Kirke is a country singer who grew up in New York and is Jewish, I feel like it would be illegal for me to dislike her (actually, she should probably be the godmother of this newsletter, along with our Father Ray Benson). Lucky me, everything else about Lola Kirke is also great, namely her songs like this one that are done with a dash of humor and plenty of lightness - so much “Americana” influenced by the classics is so damn boring and self-important, and Lola is anything but that. And as anyone who actually has a working knowledge of music history, really great shit happens when you’re able to just let loose. This spin on “All My Exes Live In Texas” is so smart and fun, and really showcases her raspy, delicious voice. Also, this music video wherein she’s walking down Gallatin Road naked is amazing (while also being my worst nightmare, you gamble with your life just driving down that road). First Aid Kit add the cherry on top with their vocals. - MM

“It’s Great Day To Be Alive,” Darrell Scott String Band: Can always use a good new cover of this song so I don’t have to send my penny fractions to Travis Tritt, and what better than the latest pretty, twangy acoustic rendition from the songwriter himself. Still waiting on a Vandoliers version, which I think would be awesome…literally every band should cover it TBH, just a slam dunk every single time. — NW

“Ask Me To Dance,” Catie Offerman feat. Hayes Carll: When I tell you how I screamed when this came through my inbox! I love Catie Offerman, she’s a triple threat - great player, great songwriter, great singer - and Hayes Call is a favorite of mine for well over a decade now. I’ve been eager for a Hayes duet since “Another Like You,” and this fills the bill big time. Tons of fiddle, witty interplay, might actually make me want to dance. This is gonna be a new obsession, I can just feel it. - MM

“The Salesman,” Hobby Rancher: Great artist name, cool rock-tinged song. I’m a sucker for songs with a letter format… — NW