After probably a couple dozen listens, Ive decided this is one of those records that really isnt very good for me: Its completely derivative and self-conscious with its collection of paeans to drinkin, lovin, not lovin, fightin, bein a simple ol redneck or cowboy, livin a simple, slow country life, and droppin them gs from the ends of yer gerunds just to show yer country credentials.
Hell, as the Pace salsa commercial sez, theyre from Noo York City! But damned if I can help myself. I still love this silly thing. Maybe its the way guitarist-song_writer-singer Anders Thomsen delivers his lines with just the right mix of sincerity and a smart-ass wink. Or maybe its the way this trio (which also includes Michael Howard Smith on drums and Mark Miller on bass) rocks its country with an easy, natural confidence thats tough to pin down with a label. (Smith suggests you call it Heavy Western, whichll do if you need a moniker for it.)
Or maybe its such Thomsen lyrics as Only two days late for work, but they fired me anyway, from Tequila, Salt and Lime; or, He sowed all his wild oats a long time ago/Now hes just kickin back, watchin em grow, from Johnny Walker Redneck.
Whatever. So enthralled with the Ex-Husbands am I that I even forgive them the terribly sappy Lovin (Like Its The End Of The World), which ends the record with a real thud.
So, its too late for me, but save yourselves. Avoid this CD lest you, too, get unreasonably smitten and let it eat into the time youre supposed to spend listening to all those new Important Records out there (U2, anyone?). Nuff said. Im gonna go listen to this again. Damn!