Guitar Town (1986)

Steve Earle crashed into Nashville with a Fender Telecaster, a chip on his shoulder and a briefcase of razor-sharp working-class vignettes. Guitar Town bridged the gap between Bakersfield twang, Bruce Springsteen's heartland rock and the outlaw movement. Songs such as 'Goodbye's All We've Got Left' and 'Hillbilly Highway' portray blue-collar desperation and wandering restlessness with infectious melodic drive. It defines Americana as rebellious roots rock driven by sharp social conscience.