Thompson Brothers Band – Cows on Main Street (EP)

This six-song disc opens with Cactus Wine, which on first listen sounds like a Texas fat string shuffle. But theres more to it than that: Lots of twang and an unexpected modulation before the chorus make this a pretty cool song. The second song, a cover of Steve Earles The Rain Came Down, is pretty true to the original version, .

The texture of the record changes a bit with the following two songs. Cry evokes the Everly Brothers or the Delevantes lots of harmonies, and a very well-written song. Has Been is classic alternative-country and contains my favorite line on the record: Have you ever been so alone that your company is you?

The final two songs were recorded live at the Country Rock Cafe in Athens, Georgia. Shot Me Down, a Southern-rock/country hybrid with a solid hook, is ready for someone like Travis Tritt or Marty Stuart to make a fortune with for these boys. The CD closes with Neil Diamonds Solitary Man, a good cover of a great song. All in all, a good debut EP for a young band with a lot of potential.