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Best American music of the last 25 years?

What songs and artists best represent American music over the past 25 years?

I am making a mega playlist for my friend immigrating to the States next month. She loves English music but it's heavily censored where she is from. What are the best songs to help her catch up to date on popular genres and show her the best songs of the last 25 years?

Bonus points for songs that cover the plight of generations or relevant sociopolitical situations at the time.

leon471
canibefrank
406 posts
 

surprised nobody mentioned Josh Homme. He formed the heavy Desert Rock genre with Kyuss and has released music that equals David Bowie in depth and imaginiation in the Rock genre with QOTSA and Them Crooked Vultures as well as the Desert Sessions. There really is no other current American Rock musician that equals his brilliance, James Hetfield excepted.

curiousjim's avatar
curiousjim
4,868 posts
 

I’m a Keb’ Mo’ fan.

More than one way home from the album, Just Like You, is Americana.

The whole album is good.

larsman's avatar
larsman
2,030 posts
 

@bdp24 - good choices, but Richard Thompson is quite English.... 

larsman's avatar
larsman
2,030 posts
 

@daledeee1 - Muse is a great band, but English....

danager's avatar
danager
962 posts
 

Tom Waits???

His music straddles the 25 year cutoff but whole albums are dedicated to his music by many of the artists listed below.

Townes Van Zandt didn't make the cutoff date but his music  is still  going strong as covers

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