[stlrman]

My love for this style of music began about 14 years ago with the Billy Brag and Wilco tribute albums to Woody Guthrie titled Mermaid Ave. Volume one and two.
I just happened upon a new band , that I am very excited about!!!    The Cave Singers     They are from the Seattle area.  Their new album is VERY, VERY solid.I also have been enjoying the band's two albums from 2007, and 2009 on Spotify !!
Also do check out     The Wood Brothers   !!!!!!!!!!!!
Chris Wood is the Wood from band Modeski, Martin and Wood.
The Wood Brothers three albums are near flawless.
I have seen the Wood Brothers twice.  If you like em, a must see live. 
MMW are some of the best concerts I have ever seen as well. MMW are more alt/Jazz/Jam band
Ryan Bygham's album  Junky Star is a masterpiece!!
The Civil Wars album was fantastic, much deserved of the grammy it won.
I am a pretty big Son Volt/ Uncle Tupelo fan.
Wilco of course.
What say ye? Who are your favorite Alt Country Alt-Folk/ American Roots bands or albums.
Todd

[loki1957]

How about Buddy and Julie Miller

[ArthurDent]

I'll throw out The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Steve Goodman, John Prine, for starters. Arlo's probably more an Alt Folk/Rock, but could fit the category. Throwing in Texas Swing as Alt Country I'd offer Asleep At The Wheel. Saw them many years back and while till now never had any of their music I never forgot what a good show they put on. Will have to check out The Cave Singers given they are local, thanks for the tip. Had not heard of them. 

[Phil A]

Try Eilen Jewell and Tift Merritt (eilenjewell.com and tiftmerritt.com).

[Phil A]

Besides her website, there are lots of YouTube videos of Eilen Jewell.  Her band has been together for years and her guitar player alone (Jerry Miller) is worth it to see.

[JoshK]

I like Ryan Adams [& the cardinals] because I like rock side of alt country. 

[vinyl_guy]

Check out The Pines and Mumford & Son. Also, Neko Case and Her Boy Friends. Monstors of Folk is worth owning IMO. From the 60's and 70's there is Buffalo Springfield and Poco. Those are the ones that come to mind right now. I am sure there are more.

[stereocilia]

Good find stlrman.  You might want to check out Middle Brother or Deer Tick.  I like the Jayhawks (and Gary Louris solo), especially the earlier albums.

[pjnad]

If you want to go back to the roots of the genre check out Ray Wylie Hubbard, Jerry Jeff Walker, Billy Joe Shaver, Guy Clark, and of course Townes Van Zandt.
Then how about Robert Earl Keen ( although some might consider him country), Steve Earle, Whiskeytown (ryan adams first band), Dave Carter & Tracey Grammer, Greg Brown ( maybe you'll consider hime folk? ), the Waco Brothers.
And some local boys who are really great: the Felice Brothers ( check them out on youtube and definitely see them if they are in your area! ), and Simone Felices' The Duke and the King.

[ecramer]

the Sadies

Jon Doe

Dave Alvin

Dolorean

mason Jenings
of the top of my head

[pjnad]

Oh yeah, and try Malcolm Holcombe or Jon Langford of the Mekons fame.
There is a really great independent label out of Chicago: Bloodshot Records who were there at the beginning of the altcountry "movement". Check out their catalog and try some of their sampler discs...

[stlrman]

Lots to look into here, thanks folks. Thanks
Mumford and Sons  album stopped me cold in my tracks. One of my favorite albums of the last few years.
Also a big Ryan Adams for many years.

There was a thread on here about music videos. I like some of them for art sake , and some of them can enhance a song if done well.

Cave Singers    killer video    check this out!      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ssN2_B7351U
Love this song and Video!!
I now asume no one is to lazy to look up a band on Spotify, but these are for lazy bones
a live one from the Wood Brothers
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lI6UrXqKhg
                 

[Diamond Dog]

The Sadies have already been mentioned - two more fine Canadian acts to check out are veterans Blue Rodeo and relative newcomers Elliot Brood who have a really unique take on a form of music in which it's getting hard to sound unique. Can't say enough good things about their last album Days Into Years.

If you crave a little chipotle in your musical meal, Calexico, Alejandro Escovedo and the venerable Los Lobos are always worth a listen.

D.D.

[timind]

I like Ryan Adams [& the cardinals] because I like rock side of alt country.

Almost exactly what I was going to post...

[ZLS]

    Try this label:

    http://www.bloodshotrecords.com/

[jimdgoulding]

Zack, Where you been, man?

[jimdgoulding]

Zack!  Where you been, man?

[FullRangeMan]

I afraid I will hate the current young artists of country. After being used to listen artists of Johnny Cash and Glenn Ohrlin caliber, is unpleasant to listen commercial country music.
Glenn first class performance of Barnacle Bill The Sailor:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nPW3jVeG2Qo

A Cowboy's Life CD by Glenn Ohrlin is yet avaliable at Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/A-Cowboys-Life-Glenn-Ohrlin/dp/B0000002Q6/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1333455702&sr=1-1

[IonMoon]

This may be my favorite genre.... I'll try to limit myself! Some that I love that I have not seen mentioned:

Band of Horses
Brandi Carlile
Bonnie "Prince" Billy
Trampled by Turtles

Tara

[zybar]

I like Ryan Adams [& the cardinals] because I like rock side of alt country.

+1

There was also his earlier band:  Whiskeytown

George