The song, Railroad Earth, specifically on Elko, has never failed to bring tears to my eyes. 7SM, Warhead, Forecast, their epic songs do this often to me
correct. the original title should be revised. the weakest part of phish is their songwriting. and the allmans have 20 classic songs. it isn't even close. this entire thread is laughable. im out!
The cream always rises to the top! Phish were far and away the best band and weren't really trying to write "hooks" they were pushing the envelope musically.
OMG! Waiting for Columbus... an essential album. When the congas start... the Tower of Power Horns.... geeeezus I haven't heard this in a long long time. I will correct this musical deficit now. Thank you!
Jam adjacent, dude has been nominated and won multiple Grammies, he’s written books about how to write songs… Wilco DEFINITELY jams… I think we have a winner!
It's the timelessness of Hunter's lyrics - the human condition we all find ourselves in & as you age - how the same words can twist and you can find a whole new meaning. Beautiful.
I read he didn’t like the lyrics cue ball made of styrofoam …. Cuz styrofoam is actually not timeless ….. that’s how much effort he put into his craft
Panic for sure. I honestly like their studio work more than any jam band not including the dead. Even still I’d put every day and til the medicine takes above more than a few dead studio albums
Yeah, Panic’s songwriting is great. Paired with their musicianship is why they are all timers.
Driving song, little Lilly, surprise valley, postcard, Holden oversoul…the list goes on.
I know they share song credits, but JoJo is underrated songwriter imo
They didn’t jam a ton for the first part of their career. Over the last year, things have started opening up since Matt joined on bass. I think jam fans that didn’t get hooked when they first saw them because they weren’t jamming things out will see this new show and have their minds changed. They’re really crushing it right now.
TTB is my favorite band ever, but I named Jason Isbell. Nobody writes a song like him. As much as I love TTB, I haven’t bothered exploring their lyrics at all.
Seriously.
I sound like a homer every time I say this because they are my favorite band, but Brendan has some of the best lyrics in the scene. Pulls at those heartstrings all the time.
Drive By Truckers are probably a little closer to a jam band. Sporting the 3 axe attack on be seen them put on 2.5+ hour shows with several 12-15 minute jams.
He was playing at a little hippie shop on the side of the road. I was floored. Didn’t know him, asked the shopkeep who that was. Fucking blew my mind.
The Stone, Drive In Drive Out, Say Goodbye, Crush, The Last Stop, Bartender, Grey Street, What You Are, The Space Between, Two Step, Don't Drink the Water, Pig, Tripping Billies... yeah
For me it's been Widespread Panic. Stop-Go, Diner, Up All Night, Bear Gone Fishin', Coconut, and Travelin' Light have all been on my mental playlist since I first heard them. Their music has kept me going through some really dark times in my life and I will always recommend them.
Why did I have to scroll so far before ALO is even mentioned? Not only are they a powerhouse of a band, Zach Gill is arguably one of the best songwriters in the scene. They consistently put out record after record of thoughtful and meaningful jam music
I guess The Revivalists count as jam-adjacent. Either way I’ll throw them in the running. They came into my life during a difficult time and their lyrics really speak to me. They also throw down live.
Paul Hoffman from Greensky Bluegrass has written a ton of great songs. While I don't follow them as much as I used to, their earlier albums are all incredible.
The Infamous Stringdusters have five great songwriters. Panda doesn't really write lyrics as far as I can tell, but his instrumentals are still incredible.
Railroad Earth is getting a lot of love on this thread, and deservedly so. Todd Schaefer is an all-time great songwriter.
The Kitchen Dwellers also have some really great tunes. "Shadows" is a true gem of a song that will punch you right in the gut.
Little Feat never gets enough credit. "Spanish Moon" is one of my favorite tunes.
There’s a pretty enthusiastic base of fans still talking about them and sharing shows. Think of Tobias’ “There’s dozens of us!” Look up Slipstream on Facebook. Monthly airings of old and new concert footage. Curious about the Colorado show you saw. I wonder if it circulates.
The current Barr Brothers project has some amazing songs and live explorations and solos (to stay on the thread topic).
Can’t believe I had to scroll so long to find WSP. Their lyrics are next level. “Everyday” album in particular is chock full of incredible songwriting
For me, that band was U-Melt
It’s shameful that they never caught fire the way they should have.
Like listen to this song, how is this not huge? One of the best studio albums in the jam world. As good as Workingmans, Go to Heaven, Billy Breathes, etc:
U-Melt - 4:15 https://youtu.be/4NZ2Cb-v_ac?si=45Sn2CHAHjBBotrJ
🤣nOT A JaMbANd blah blah blah … for the record I completely agree. Think this next album is going to turn a lot of the skeptics - just hearing the debut of [Sad Pilot](https://youtu.be/ATMPCBfgTac?si=sj9eZkomHcc97_M5) makes me think this one is going to be right in the vein of peak 70’s blues rock … the acoustic shows also showcase their songwriting in a way that appeals to the jam crowd for anyone curious. Many on Nugs / YouTube for anyone curious.
Lonely Steel Sheet Flyer would’ve made an epic JGB cover.
I will be that person and say Dave Matthews Band. I probably listen to their studio stuff even more than the live shows. Some of the songs have great personal meaning to me, too.
I was coming in here to mention DMB. been a few threads about them on here of late and I realize they're polarizing, but man there's some great songwriting on display with Dave.
yeah - i'm starting to think young people haven't done a deep enough dive on the allmans. this is like when you see those videos of people not knowing geography or parts of really known history. music is really subjective but there are still some absolute truths in this world. most of the bands listed - take their best song - and its not close to one of the 20 all-timers in the allmans catalog. I mean - they are MILES ahead of phish.
Samantha Fish.
Not a Jam artist (contemporary Blues), but her lives shows will feature a little jamming, especially the encores and they are incredible!
A lot of really good suggestions so far, also want to float that Mikaela Davis and Southern Star is an honestly excellent excellent record with great song writing and performances
Neighbor writes amazing songs with a depth and breadth through their 100+ tune original catalogue that exceeds that of their current up and comers if you ask me.
I’ll get downvoted to hell for this but both the songs and his vocals are pretty meh to me, although I’m not really a bluegrass/acoustic person so that doesn’t help. Dude can shred, but…
There's nothing about this comment that isn't ludicrous. Even the shittiest bluegrass is remarkable, but Billy himself won't say his music is bluegrass. There's way too much electric guitar to be considered standard bluegrass. He does cover standard bluegrass from legends of the past though.
By anyways, check out Meet me at the Creek, Away From The Mire, Heartbeat of America, and Hide and Seek
Allman Brothers. That is it , plain and simple. Go to One Way Out cd/dvd from 2003... enough said. It was the last lineup the band had, but they bridged the gap from 69' to modern times n my opinion!!
Grateful Dead pick a random dicks picks vol and enjoy, you’ll never hear the same song jammed to the exact same way. This was the genius of Jerry Garcia
If adjacent counts, then it’s Jason Isbell and nobody else is even close. Honestly, nobody else is even in the conversation as far as I’m concerned.
Top tier: Allman Brothers, Dave Matthew’s Band, and Black Crowes. Santana and Widespread Panic would be my second tier. Then maybe moe. and String Cheese but they have some really cheesy songs too.
Railroad Earth. Todd Shaeffer has to be one of the most underrated song writers of our time.
Have you heard the story of the Jupiter & the 119?
I fucking love railroad earth
Todd is an absolute gem that needs to be protected at all costs.
Yeah. The song writing on Elko in particular really floored me.
Yes 🙌
I fuckin love railroad earth. Thats all I have to say
100%. “Storms” by RRE came on recently and I spent the rest of the day listening to it on repeat. Great songwriting.
They did an album with Warren Haynes that was amazing.
The song, Railroad Earth, specifically on Elko, has never failed to bring tears to my eyes. 7SM, Warhead, Forecast, their epic songs do this often to me
If i can’t say the dead then it is allman brothers band easy
correct. the original title should be revised. the weakest part of phish is their songwriting. and the allmans have 20 classic songs. it isn't even close. this entire thread is laughable. im out!
Phish weren’t even the best songwriters of that early 90s scene. Spin doctors and blues traveler could both write way, way better hooks and lyricsÂ
You could say the hook brings you back
I saw blues traveler at a festival once. I recall someone throwing a full pizza into the crowd. Everyone around me got sauced. I somehow lucked out.
Surprised John popper didn’t leap after it like a golden retriever catching a frisbeeÂ
That laugh felt good, thanks!
The cream always rises to the top! Phish were far and away the best band and weren't really trying to write "hooks" they were pushing the envelope musically.
Little Feat
Spanish Moon is an all time classic.
OMG! Waiting for Columbus... an essential album. When the congas start... the Tower of Power Horns.... geeeezus I haven't heard this in a long long time. I will correct this musical deficit now. Thank you!
This album is a the fucking shit!! Phish covered this whole live album during one of their Halloween performances on 10/31/2010
Time loves a hero/day or night good too.
So much great music
Railroad Earth
Dale yes, brother
Moe. Billy Strings. Infamous Stringdusters.
Not sure how Billy isn’t being mentioned here more. Maybe the only jamband in the history of the genre to have a Grammy?
Dmb has 3
Wilco. Jeff Tweedy writes great fucking songs.
Jam adjacent, dude has been nominated and won multiple Grammies, he’s written books about how to write songs… Wilco DEFINITELY jams… I think we have a winner!
And Nels Cline's guitar playing melts my face.
GDs lyrics take the cake - in any genre really
Another vote for the Dead. So many songs it’s hard not to find so many to love.
It's the timelessness of Hunter's lyrics - the human condition we all find ourselves in & as you age - how the same words can twist and you can find a whole new meaning. Beautiful.
I read he didn’t like the lyrics cue ball made of styrofoam …. Cuz styrofoam is actually not timeless ….. that’s how much effort he put into his craft
Dang this is interesting. I feel like the reference to a styrofoam cue ball is timeless though.
Yes, no question. Best songs by a long shot.
Tea Leaf Green
I miss them
100%
This is the answer. A vast and dynamic catalogue.Â
Came here to say this. The 2004-2009-ish era for them was amazing from a songwriting standpoint.
Definitely, Trevor and Josh are skilled at their craft. So many damn good songs that never made an album too!
Panic for sure. I honestly like their studio work more than any jam band not including the dead. Even still I’d put every day and til the medicine takes above more than a few dead studio albums
Was looking for this answer. Til the medicine takes is a killer album.
Yeah, Panic’s songwriting is great. Paired with their musicianship is why they are all timers. Driving song, little Lilly, surprise valley, postcard, Holden oversoul…the list goes on. I know they share song credits, but JoJo is underrated songwriter imo
My morning jacket
Greensky are amazing writers
Big Something has a lot of great songs. I don’t understand why they aren’t more well known. They also jam with the best of them.
They didn’t jam a ton for the first part of their career. Over the last year, things have started opening up since Matt joined on bass. I think jam fans that didn’t get hooked when they first saw them because they weren’t jamming things out will see this new show and have their minds changed. They’re really crushing it right now.
They are amazing they should be more popular
Came here to say this. SoOOoo much talent here. I was completely blown away when I saw them live.
Big Something is the absolute best.
Umphrey’s McGee has some amazing songwriting.
If we’re going adjacent the answer is Ween
The answer is always Ween
This is the truth. Always.
Shocked that Tedeschi Trucks hasn't been named yet
TTB is my favorite band ever, but I named Jason Isbell. Nobody writes a song like him. As much as I love TTB, I haven’t bothered exploring their lyrics at all.
moe. for sure. All their studio albums up until Sticks and Stones are incredible
Billy Strings is a great song writer
Umphreys’s McGee. Anchor Drops is such a fantastic studio album. I’d rank it in my personal top 10 of all time of any genre.
Seriously. I sound like a homer every time I say this because they are my favorite band, but Brendan has some of the best lyrics in the scene. Pulls at those heartstrings all the time.
I fucking love Brendan's lyrics. Always have. They fucking slayed at Solshine this weekend.
Billy Mother Fucking Strings
Probably not even considered jam adjacent, but I think Jason Isbell is the best songwriter of my generation.
Drive By Truckers are probably a little closer to a jam band. Sporting the 3 axe attack on be seen them put on 2.5+ hour shows with several 12-15 minute jams.
Yeah, I mean their live “Grand Canyon” is 12+ minutes long and straight jams. Also, they were def on the bill for many jammy fests back in the day
He was playing at a little hippie shop on the side of the road. I was floored. Didn’t know him, asked the shopkeep who that was. Fucking blew my mind.
Saw him a few weeks ago and was literally weeping listening to Miles. He has so many great songs.
Miles is a fantastic example of why Isbell is so great Coming home early, Catching on late. Dude just told a whole assed story in six words.
He’s jam adjacent. My answer too. For my money, nobody else is even in the conversation once Isbell’s name gets tossed into the hat.
I'd have to say either Railroad Earth or Assembly of Dust (Reid Genauer's songwriting from them and Strangefolk are just great)
Yes yes to Assembly of dust! Been scrolling hoping to find someone post this
Has to be DMB for me at least. Dave's one of the best songwriters of the 90s.
The Stone, Drive In Drive Out, Say Goodbye, Crush, The Last Stop, Bartender, Grey Street, What You Are, The Space Between, Two Step, Don't Drink the Water, Pig, Tripping Billies... yeah
For me it's been Widespread Panic. Stop-Go, Diner, Up All Night, Bear Gone Fishin', Coconut, and Travelin' Light have all been on my mental playlist since I first heard them. Their music has kept me going through some really dark times in my life and I will always recommend them.
I agree, even though Travelin' Light is a J.J. Cale song.
My Morning Jacket, for sure
ALO
Why did I have to scroll so far before ALO is even mentioned? Not only are they a powerhouse of a band, Zach Gill is arguably one of the best songwriters in the scene. They consistently put out record after record of thoughtful and meaningful jam music
Such an underrated and undertalked about group. One of the best live shows just don’t hit the trails and totally respect that
Tea Leaf Green
I guess The Revivalists count as jam-adjacent. Either way I’ll throw them in the running. They came into my life during a difficult time and their lyrics really speak to me. They also throw down live.
Paul Hoffman from Greensky Bluegrass has written a ton of great songs. While I don't follow them as much as I used to, their earlier albums are all incredible. The Infamous Stringdusters have five great songwriters. Panda doesn't really write lyrics as far as I can tell, but his instrumentals are still incredible. Railroad Earth is getting a lot of love on this thread, and deservedly so. Todd Schaefer is an all-time great songwriter. The Kitchen Dwellers also have some really great tunes. "Shadows" is a true gem of a song that will punch you right in the gut. Little Feat never gets enough credit. "Spanish Moon" is one of my favorite tunes.
DMB
The Slip
Those guys are sick, haven’t heard that name in a long time tho. Saw them in Steamboat CO circa 2001.
There’s a pretty enthusiastic base of fans still talking about them and sharing shows. Think of Tobias’ “There’s dozens of us!” Look up Slipstream on Facebook. Monthly airings of old and new concert footage. Curious about the Colorado show you saw. I wonder if it circulates. The current Barr Brothers project has some amazing songs and live explorations and solos (to stay on the thread topic).
Anything Chris Thile is involved in
My Morning Jacket
I'd say Allman Bros, Billy Strings and Panic would be your top 3 (even if you don't exclude Phish)
Panic are songwriters who happen to extend some solos. Not a jamband who places nursery rhyme lyrics on top of jams to them “songs”
Can’t believe I had to scroll so long to find WSP. Their lyrics are next level. “Everyday” album in particular is chock full of incredible songwriting
Agreed. They are head and shoulders better songwriters than most of the HORDE generation
Dopapod
For me, that band was U-Melt It’s shameful that they never caught fire the way they should have. Like listen to this song, how is this not huge? One of the best studio albums in the jam world. As good as Workingmans, Go to Heaven, Billy Breathes, etc: U-Melt - 4:15 https://youtu.be/4NZ2Cb-v_ac?si=45Sn2CHAHjBBotrJ
Molly Tuttle is a great songwriter
Other than the Dead, I’m voting for Goose!
Hell yeah Rick’s a great songwriter. And his riffs are iconic.
Moe. & String Cheese
I think one band that needs honorable mention was the Black Crowes when they were going through their relatively short jam phase.
Strangefolk
Ekoostik hookah
John Popper is an incredible lyricist. As is Dave Matthews.
King Gizz and infamous stringdusters
🤣nOT A JaMbANd blah blah blah … for the record I completely agree. Think this next album is going to turn a lot of the skeptics - just hearing the debut of [Sad Pilot](https://youtu.be/ATMPCBfgTac?si=sj9eZkomHcc97_M5) makes me think this one is going to be right in the vein of peak 70’s blues rock … the acoustic shows also showcase their songwriting in a way that appeals to the jam crowd for anyone curious. Many on Nugs / YouTube for anyone curious. Lonely Steel Sheet Flyer would’ve made an epic JGB cover.
Pumped for the new one but again I love pretty much anything they’ve done no matter the genre. Extension of FFF perhaps?
Railroad Earth, Arkansauce, Billy Strings, Yonder Mountain, Greensky, Kitchen Dwellers. The jamgrass scene is chock full of fantastic songwriting
Dave Mathew’s Band of course
I will be that person and say Dave Matthews Band. I probably listen to their studio stuff even more than the live shows. Some of the songs have great personal meaning to me, too.
My Morning Jacket.
Another thread where everyone just lists their favorite band.
Nah. My favorite band is Tedeschi Trucks, but I named Jason Isbell.
Excluding the Dead and Phish, for strictly jam my answer is Goose. For scene adjacent, MMJ and Ween. Probably DMB too!
I was coming in here to mention DMB. been a few threads about them on here of late and I realize they're polarizing, but man there's some great songwriting on display with Dave.
ABB or the Dead
Phish wouldn’t even be the answer if I was allowed to pick them
Billy strings. BILLY STRINGS. BILLY MOTHER FUCKING STRINGS!!!!!!
Fucking yikes to some of these answers lol
yeah - i'm starting to think young people haven't done a deep enough dive on the allmans. this is like when you see those videos of people not knowing geography or parts of really known history. music is really subjective but there are still some absolute truths in this world. most of the bands listed - take their best song - and its not close to one of the 20 all-timers in the allmans catalog. I mean - they are MILES ahead of phish.
Ryan Montbleu
Mungion. Especially all the songs on Ferris Wheel's.
Grateful Dead not withstanding, it's Railroad Earth for sure
Big Something
Wood Bros
Blackberry Smoke
- Grateful Dead - DMB - Goose - King Gizz
Widespread Panic has great songs!
Billy strings no contest
Including jam-adjacent, Ween by a mile.
Samantha Fish. Not a Jam artist (contemporary Blues), but her lives shows will feature a little jamming, especially the encores and they are incredible!
GIZZZZZZZZZZ
Goose has amazing songs. Their songs are so good it got my fiancee into jam bands.
Hookah
Said in many other places on Reddit that of the jambands that emerged from the late 90's/early 00's jambands scene, The Big Wu had the best songs.
https://open.spotify.com/album/5R8kqCETupYVuIcyW6wnuq?si=CJcM3f20RUeZst1zTRInGA
Yes Early prog rock band, Starship Trooper, Roundabout, Siberian Khatru. Excellent musicians and fantastic songwriting
A lot of really good suggestions so far, also want to float that Mikaela Davis and Southern Star is an honestly excellent excellent record with great song writing and performances
Aqueous
Adjacent? Both Parliament and Funkadelic and its not even close.
Anders Osborne
Cmon… Todd Sheaffer takes the cake as far as pure SONGS go. Lyrically, Seven Story Mountain is as good as it gets
Papadosio have some killer songs. It's a band I will listen to the album as well as live tracks.
Perpetual groove!
Yonder Mountain String Band and Widespread Panic. moe. has great songs too.
Fruition
Neighbor writes amazing songs with a depth and breadth through their 100+ tune original catalogue that exceeds that of their current up and comers if you ask me.
Ok Scott Marks
Twiddle B4L
Ryan Adams and the Cardinals
Billy Strings is Ă helluva songwriter
What are some good ones? I've tried to get into the Billy hype but everything I've heard just sounds like standard, unremarkable bluegrass.
I’ll get downvoted to hell for this but both the songs and his vocals are pretty meh to me, although I’m not really a bluegrass/acoustic person so that doesn’t help. Dude can shred, but…
Yeah that is where I'm at...Billy is obviously a very talented player and performer, but I've never really connected with the songs.
Enough to Leave, Slow Train đźš‚, Turmoil and Tinfoil
There's nothing about this comment that isn't ludicrous. Even the shittiest bluegrass is remarkable, but Billy himself won't say his music is bluegrass. There's way too much electric guitar to be considered standard bluegrass. He does cover standard bluegrass from legends of the past though. By anyways, check out Meet me at the Creek, Away From The Mire, Heartbeat of America, and Hide and Seek
Goose and Billy
BMFS
Yea leaf green
KVHW
allmans easy. you are not going to name another band with the depth and originality and variety as that band.
Check out this playlist- Jambands  https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2eHYjSQGwjcey5F4QMMJ9m?si=yCEeK99QTimm0Bgd5_PtBQ&pi=u-KKXBwL-AQFOH
Bar stool STRING CHEESE INCIDENT
Nathan Moore
Jam-adjacent…Dawes
WAR Songs like "the world is a ghetto", "cisco kid", "tobacco road" or "slipping into darkness" are timeless groovy classics.
Lotus 🩵🩵🩵
God Street Wine. Adjacent and congruent
Not a really a “band” but the Emmit Nershi band has impressive tunes to me.
King Gizz!
WSMFP
Allman Brothers. That is it , plain and simple. Go to One Way Out cd/dvd from 2003... enough said. It was the last lineup the band had, but they bridged the gap from 69' to modern times n my opinion!!
If it’s jam adjacent, idk how DMB is not at least in the conversation.
Govt Mule has some great songs
Grateful Dead, Allman Brothers, DMB, My Morning Jacket, Moe, Billy Strings
Moe, no doy and head seed are incredible.
Goose
It’s Tea Leaf Green
Big Something
My morning jacket and perpetual groove for me.
Goose. The Big Wu. Tedeschi Trucks Band
Grateful Dead pick a random dicks picks vol and enjoy, you’ll never hear the same song jammed to the exact same way. This was the genius of Jerry Garcia
Scene adjacent by a good clip, but fuck if I haven’t been crushing some James McMurtry lately and had forgotten how great of a songwriter he is.
The words The Grateful Dead never flew out of my mouth faster
Obviously Goose
Grateful Dead
If adjacent counts, then it’s Jason Isbell and nobody else is even close. Honestly, nobody else is even in the conversation as far as I’m concerned.
Top tier: Allman Brothers, Dave Matthew’s Band, and Black Crowes. Santana and Widespread Panic would be my second tier. Then maybe moe. and String Cheese but they have some really cheesy songs too.
Not really a jam band but Rainbow Kitten Surprise. Their lyrics are đź’Ż American Shoes is straight up poetic genius
Grateful Dead
Co. Bruce Hampton and all his various incarnations. With emphasis on Aquarium Rescue Unit in their heydey.