Best American music of the last 25 years?

So by definition wouldn't the most popular music be the best music?  Does an artist have to have a hit to be the best?  (I don't actually agree with that but as an argument it does have merit)

There is a lot of really good music being made today both in the USA and elsewhere.  Whether it's a hit or not is mostly due to marketing, lack of music education and intent (dance music is very popular within certain age groups)

Over 25 years ago FM radio was the way to be informed of what was going on in the music scene.  Today it's more of an active endeavor or can be outsourced to a program like Roon that uses a computer program and crowd sourcing to build your playlist.  The good news is that due to streaming we aren't limited by geographic boundaries or radio program managers, the only real constraint is time. 

While it will never be mainstream I really enjoy Stages: Volume III by
Ryan Montbleau.  It is such an excellent recording capturing the space of the venue with music that makes me smile.  Trust me to his dismay I'm sure it will never be a hit but that doesn't diminish it's enjoyment level to me. 

@cincyjim - Jon Anderson from Yes is American music from the past 25 years?

Doesn't seem like many people on this thread like any American music from any artists who debuted in the past 25 years, just older artists who were/are still around.

I'm not sure that 'represents American music of the past 25 years', which the OP was looking for suggestions for, but good suggestions anyway. 

Sturgil Simpson

Emmylou Harris

But mostly the one everybody's seemingly forgotten -- John Stewart. I listened to the guy for years. Saw him live at the Troubadour, as well as other venues. I learned a bunch of his songs and sang them in a gruff John Stewart-esque folk singer bass-baritone. I was first introduced to him when I won his California Bloodlines LP when I rated the record on a Dick Clark dance TV show.

@cincyjim: Though two of your nominees fit the bill artistically, Roy Orbison died in 1988, Gram Parsons in 1973. Quite a bit longer than 25 years ago! 

@larsman

'Doesn't seem like many people on this thread like any American music from any artists who debuted in the past 25 years, just older artists who were/are still around.'

Which is why I mentioned Goose but most people don't want to know about groups they've never heard of, especially if the band is currently in their twenties.