Blue Dogs – Halos and Good Buys

Testosterone is in short supply in roots-rock these days; just about everyone wants to show off their tender singer-songwriter chops. But the beefcakes of South Carolina’s Blue Dogs have plenty of man-juice and are willing to share, without diminishing the impression they can write a rock solid song with emotion-evoking lyrics.

Bobby Houck’s baritone is the manliest voice since Springsteen was born to run; on this, the Dogs’ third studio album, Houck recalls the Boss on his slow-climbing approach to the swelling chorus in the anthemic ballad “What’s Wrong With Love Songs”. On “Janie And Me”, he resurrects the cadence and vocal quality of early Mellencamp.

Bassist Hank Futch, who has been in the band with Houck since 1987, takes the lead on “Cosmic Cowboy” and “Baby’s Coming Home”, lending a second authoritative voice to the mix. David Stewart’s guitar and Daren Shumaker’s ringing mandolin complement each other in the mix, they generously give up dominance when the other has a better idea. Greg Walker’s drumming is exactly what’s needed to keep the pace moving.

Two-thirds into the disc, a lively jam vibe kicks in for a pair of numbers — “Your Sweet Love” and “Walter” — which isn’t all bad as that mando keeps things on the roots side of the equation.