Cosmic American Music

Cosmic American Music is a sonic amalgamation of twangy guitars borrowed from raw, pastoral Americana music and the smooth, solid drum and bass grooves of northern soul music. The late Gram Parsons, who is best known for introducing his rocking country sound and soulful twang to the Byrds and the Rolling Stones, coined the Cosmic American Music title. Parsons' influence can be felt all throughout the Country-Rock movement, which included everything from the polished Country Rock of the Eagles to the more current Alt Country stylings of Whiskeytown. Music critics often credit Parsons for having invented Country Rock, Progressive Country, Continental Country (and then later on Alt Country). However, Parsons protested those labels for describing his influential sound, preferring his own visionary moniker. Though the output of Parsons and his progeny can generally be considered Americana, Cosmic American Music can augment the genre's old-timey Country tones and exaggerated twang distortion with a musical melting pot of ingredients that often includes the Bakersfield Country sound, Honky-Tonk derived High Lonesome Harmonies, Gospel-styled singing, Soul rhythms, folk picking, Boogie Rock shuffles, nods to the blues, and old fashioned rock 'n' roll.