"new country" music recomendations please


I must admit to previously not being a fan of traditional country music. However, having recently heard, bought and become adddicted to Mary Gauthier's Mercy Now, and very specifically track one, "Falling out of love"(affectionately known as the piss song in our house), I am having a closer look.

I seek a similar style of parred back, raw, "story of lifes experience", with an edge, a poetic attack which I guess the piss song is in spades. I hope someone understands my drift. I would absolutely recommend one hears Mary Gauthier's track. There must be other similar artists out there with that special creative, edgy, poetic story to tell.

Thanks for your help in advance.
aer
Solomon Burke, Nashville
Richard Buckner, Devotion & Desire
Chip Taylor & Carrie Rodriguez, Red Dog Tracks
Jesse Sykes, Oh My Girl
Hank III, Straight to Hell (it's pop country that H3 hates)
Check out Freakwater, especially 'Endtime' and 'Springtime'. Not sure why they are not better known. Maybe a little too edgy for most country fans.
Rodney Crowell-a songwriter's songwriter. -"Fates Right Hand" may be his best work.
My two all-time favorites are Lucinda Williams "Car Wheels on a Gravel Road" and Gram Parsons "Complete reprise Recordings". Other favorites you might like are Rodney Crowell (try "The Houston Kid") and Buddy Miller ("Your Love and Other Lies").