#19 of 25
· Cratewise Editorial
Purgatory
Tyler Childers
Year
2017
Genre
Country/AmericanaLabel
Hickman Holler
Format
Vinyl LP
“Sturgill Simpson produced. Eastern Kentucky storytelling with fiddles and a voice aged beyond his years. 'Feathered Indians' is the love song Nashville wishes it could write.”
Tyler Childers is an American country and Americana singer-songwriter from Lawrence County, Kentucky, who emerged in the mid-2010s as a distinctive voice in contemporary country music. His debut album 'Purgatory' (2017) earned critical acclaim for its authentic storytelling and rootsy instrumentation, establishing him as a torchbearer for traditional country values in the streaming era. Childers has since released 'Country Squire' (2019) and 'Long Violent History' (2022), each showcasing his ability to blend country, bluegrass, and folk influences while addressing themes of rural life, hardship, and resilience. His collaborations include work with Sturgill Simpson and appearances on various Americana projects, solidifying his position within the broader Nashville and Americana communities.
Style
Tyler Childers performs a roots-oriented blend of country, bluegrass, and Americana with a deep commitment to traditional instrumentation and lyrical authenticity. His sound emphasizes twangy vocals, acoustic guitars, fiddle, and modest production that echoes classic country records.
Significance
Childers represents a generational return to authentic country values and vinyl-era aesthetics during a period of genre homogenization, making him highly sought-after by collectors interested in contemporary Americana. His albums receive premium vinyl releases and have become staples for purists seeking substance-driven country music.
Purgatory, Tyler Childers' debut album released in 2017, was recorded primarily at his home studio in Lawrence County, Kentucky, with additional sessions at Bittersweet Studio in Cynthiana. Childers, who grew up in the Appalachian coal mining region, drew heavily from his rural Kentucky roots and personal experiences to craft the album's eight tracks. The recording process was deliberate and intimate, with Childers playing multiple instruments alongside producer Sturgill Simpson and engineer David Ferguson. The album showcases a blend of traditional country, bluegrass, and folk influences, with Childers' distinctive baritone voice delivering raw, emotionally honest narratives about hardship, faith, and survival. The stripped-down production emphasizes the authenticity of Childers' songwriting and his deep connection to his Appalachian heritage.
Historical Context
Released in September 2017, Purgatory arrived during a resurgence of interest in authentic country and Americana music among younger audiences and critics. The album emerged alongside a broader movement of artists reclaiming traditional country sounds and addressing rural working-class struggles in their lyrics. Purgatory received substantial critical acclaim, with reviewers praising Childers' raw vocal talent and honest storytelling. The album helped establish Childers as one of the most important voices in contemporary country music and contributed to growing recognition of Appalachian artists telling their own regional stories. It resonated particularly in the aftermath of the 2016 election, when rural narratives gained heightened cultural attention.
Pressing Notes
Purgatory was released on vinyl by Sturgill Simpson's Provenance Records. The original pressing came as a 12-inch LP on black vinyl. Subsequent pressings and special editions have been released over the years, including colored vinyl variants. Like many contemporary country releases on independent and boutique labels, early pressings have become sought-after by collectors. Buyers should note that mastering and pressing quality can vary between editions, with the original Provenance pressing generally considered the reference edition. The album has remained in print and is readily available, though condition and pressing plant details can affect value and sonic quality for serious collectors.
Metamodern Sounds in Country Music
Sturgill Simpson
Similar introspective country storytelling with psychedelic production and a focus on authentic Appalachian roots.
Songs of the Plains
Colter Wall
Features the same contemplative, folk-influenced country style with rich storytelling and sparse instrumentation.
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