• Two Dollar Pistols – Hands Up!

    Artist:
    Album:
    Archive Posted On May 1, 2004
    0


    The Two Dollar Pistols have been around for a while, having gone through a couple of lineup changes since 1996. Nothing they’ve done in the past however, suggested the unremitting charm of Hands Up!, their third full-length release.

    Previously, the Pistols played a little too sloppy with songs that were a little too insolent, attempting traditional-styled country without appearing to fully connect with the music’s roots. Hands Up! changes all that, radically. John Howie Jr. and friends have composed eleven songs that mine country themes in a way that’s smart, performed with a vigor that until now they’ve only hinted at.

    The controlling hand of producer Brian Paulson (Wilco, Son Volt) might have something to do with this upgrade. Howie’s vocals have mellowed and show more control; at times he’s a dead ringer for latter-day John Doe, while as an ensemble the band sounds remarkably fluid. From the opening blast of “Too Bad That You’re Gone” to the anthemic country rock of the title track to the shimmering beauty of “It’s All Fun And Games (Til Someone Breaks A Heart)”, Hands Up! is full of skillfully crafted roots music.




    • ADVERTISEMENT

    • SPOTIFY PLAYLIST

    • SUBSCRIBE NOW


    Enjoy this article? Support No Depression.

    Help us continue to keep our web content free and accessible to all – without paywalls or invasive pop-up ads.

    Your support is important because it helps us cover our costs so that we can continue bringing you the independent music journalism you know and trust. Please consider subscribing or donating to No Depression now.

    You Might Also Like

    Two Dollar Pistols – Here Tomorrow, Gone Today / Snatches of Pink – Love is Dead

    By Archive on September 1, 2007

    Two Dollar Pistols – “Blistered” / “When You Had Time for Me”

    By Archive on November 1, 2001



    A Little Help Here?

    No Depression depends on reader support to bring you top-quality roots music journalism on our website and in our quarterly journals. Donations large and small are greatly appreciated, and will help us hit our goal of raising $15,000 by Dec. 31.

    Can you help us get there? Donate or subscribe using the buttons below. Thank you for your support!

    Please consider becoming a subscriber or providing a donation. With your help, No Depression can continue to grow and cover roots music the way it deserves.