So disappointed in today's Americana


I make it a habit of getting the Grammy nominated Americana albums from the library each year. Past years have introduced me to much new music, some good, some bad, some treasures (TajMo for example). This year I just listened to Brandi Carlile's cd 'By the way I forgive you', nominated for best Americana roots album. OMG it is unlistenable! You would think singer / songwriters would strive for a pristine recording that highlights their lyrics and mostly acoustic arrangements. No - it is a sonic mess, compressed all to hell. To quote my wife "Turn that crap off". End of rant. 
mcondo
Someone new to me that people may enjoy is Amy McCarley.  New album is Meco.   Stands for main engine cut off.  Alabama native who was a NASA contractor.   Marty Stuart and other Nashville folks play on this.  Really great music, well worth a listen.    
Brandi Carlisle won the Americana grammy. I guess I don't know what Americana is nowadays.
I can't think of a worse place to start to find good music.

Some good suggestions here for sure - Gillian Welch, Sarah Jarosz, Wood Brothers, Barr Brothers(more Canadiana maybe?), Jason Isbell, Kasy and Clayton, I'm With Her etc 

If you like the genre definitely check out Hiss Golden Messenger - his past few albums are really great and I would argue that Lateness of Dancers is one of the best albums to be released in the past bunch of years.  Great sound and songwriting 

The Americana roundup in Uncut magazine is a great resource - I've found a ton of great music through reading this publication in all genres.

Lots of great new music out there but you do often have to hunt a bit to find the good stuff...
@audiojedi , listening to Hiss Golden Messenger right now, Lateness of Dancers. Getting a Dylan vibe from the first two songs. I like it.

Just wondering where on earth the name comes from?
The Americana Music Association puts on its' own awards ceremony and show every year; that's the one to watch. Their relationship to The Grammys is very much like High End Audio's is to CES. A good source for info on Americana music and artists is the No Depression website.
The 2018 awards show is streaming now at the PBS website. Not sure if it will be broadcast over the air on my PBS station - WTTW.
I forgot about M.C. Taylor (Hiss Golden Messenger), saw him on the Tift Merritt and friends tour a while back.

Uncle Tupelo 
Son Volt
Calexico
Regarding Brandi Carlie and others...

Is it not possible to separate the talent from the sonics here?

I’m not going to stop listening/enjoying music because of less than perfect recording quality.

We all know this is a problem. One that the end user has to deal with. That is the area we have control over. I get tired of reading..."my wife came in the room and said "turn that -hit off". While that sort of statement makes for good reading?, it just adds to the negative side without actually trying to fix(?) in one's own space.

Quit complaining and start explaining how you're trying to overcome!
I guess my fix is not to listen to heavily compressed recordings in my main system. BTW - watched Brandi Carlile on the 2018 Americana awards show last night. Nice performance that sounded good on my upstairs A/V system. The rest of the show was a little uneven but enjoyable.   
Have seen Rhiannon live with Carolina Chocolate Drops at City Winery. One of the best shows we saw that year!
Thanks for Chris Hillman. Then there’s David Crosby’s “Here if You Listen”. Tidal MQA
@OP You are spot on that this genre or category is weaker than it should be.

I can find few Americana artists worth passing on to others.    One I think is about the best I've heard in a long, long time is JS Ondara.  



I'm still not sure what constitutes "Americana" and I don't care much for folk music but if blues influenced music is part of that then check out Martin King out of Greenville, SC. If traditional R&B with an emphasis on the 'B' is Americana then check out Vintage Trouble out of L.A. and Leon Bridges from Texas.

Bridges is the real deal.
Patty Griffin's newest is so great, I agree.  I don't see a title for the disc, but its sure wonderful!
Americana? Dale Watson. I’ve seen him several times and he’s always talking about Americana. Puts on a hell of a show.
Check out Eilen Jewell.  Great singer/songwriter and she has one of the best guitar players I’ve ever heard.  
Anybody ever hear of Frank Black & the Catholics? Found them by accident years ago and keep listening to them every once in a while. He's the lead singer for the Pixies.