Dive into the genesis of alt-country with a stream of the new reissues of The Bottle Rockets' first two records

The Bottle Rockets have been preaching the gospel of alt-country for over 20 years now. The cowpunk act burst out of Festus, Missouri in 1992 and is often credited with launching the alt-country scene alongside genre darlings/Jeff Tweedy launching pad Uncle Tupelo. To date, the group’s released 11 LPs, but two of them—1992’s Bottle Rockets and 1994’s The Brooklyn Side—have long been out of print. All that changes next Tuesday, Nov. 19, when the records will get a combined deluxe reissue via Bloodshot Records. The 2-CD set features 19 previously unreleased tracks—one of which features the aforementioned Tweedy—as well as a 40-page booklet detailing the band’s history and featuring contributions from Steve Earle, Patterson Hood, and Lucinda Williams. Both albums and the bonus material have been lovingly remastered by Eric “Roscoe” Ambel.

While some fans might have to wait until Nov. 19 to hear the records in their newly enhanced glory, A.V. Club readers can stream the deluxe reissue exclusively below starting today. Listen below, and pre-order the record here.