Back catalogue: All genres

Review: The second volume of Wayfaring Strangers: Cosmic American Music delves deeper into the country rock genre that countered the rise of polished, suburban-friendly country rock like The Eagles. Featuring 20 tracks on two LPs, this collection captures the raw, independent spirit of Cosmic American Music, often overlooked in favor of more commercial successes. As country rock grew into a dominant force in the 1970s, many bands followed the Eagles' lead, softening the genre's edges. Yet, on the periphery, artists like F.J. McMahon, Mistress Mary, and Plain Jane quietly crafted their own versions of this roots-inspired music, blending gospel, country, and Southern soul. These lesser-known acts embraced Cosmic American Music's signature sounds, including pedal steel guitars and banjos, in their recordings. Big labels attempted to shape the genre's success, but Wayfaring Strangers focuses on the private press labels and forgotten gems that retained the original spirit Parsons envisioned. This compilation reconstructs the genre's history from its fringes, celebrating the raw, twangy essence of its early innovators.