Lucinda Williams
Short Sharp Shocked
Tracy Chapman
Ani DiFranco

Folk » Contemporary Folk » Alternative Folk

While contemporary folk often retains the gentleness of its more traditional parent, alternative folk combines acoustic sounds and a strong singer-songwriter bent with a more energetic, aggressive sound. Alternative folk's lyrics run the gamut from the protest music of Billy Bragg to the riot grrl feminism of Ani DiFranco to the story-based songs of Suzanne Vega and Victoria Williams; many other artists compose songs with intense emotional themes, while others settle on the quiet musings that seem similar to contemporary folk songs, yet remain thematically unique.

Alternative Folk Artists Highlights

Lucinda Williams
Lucinda Williams
Ani DiFranco
Ani DiFranco
Victoria Williams
Victoria Williams
Billy Bragg
Billy Bragg
Ashley MacIsaac
Ashley MacIsaac
Michelle Shocked
Michelle Shocked

More Alternative Folk Artists

Alternative Folk Album Highlights

Short Sharp Shocked
Michelle Shocked
Short Sharp Shocked
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
Swing the Statue!
Victoria Williams
Swing the Statue!
Solitude Standing
Suzanne Vega
Solitude Standing
It Happened One Night
John Wesley Harding
It Happened One Night
Back to Basics
Billy Bragg
Back to Basics

More Alternative Folk Albums

Alternative Folk Song Highlights

Title/Composer Performer Stream
Must I Paint You a Picture? Billy Bragg
Impossible Air Nathan Salsburg
The Devil in Me John Wesley Harding
Memories of East Texas Michelle Shocked
Tom's Diner Suzanne Vega
Car Wheels on a Gravel Road Lucinda Williams
Summer of Drugs Victoria Williams
Joyful Girl Ani DiFranco
When I Was a Boy Dar Williams
She Cries Your Name Beth Orton

More Alternative Folk Songs

Other Styles in Contemporary Folk