Song of the Day - East Texas Rust

This song is from a band called Shinyribs. Say that out loud, it's fun! I don't know a damn thing about the band but I probably will go into stalker mode here pretty quick and figure it out. I just know I like this song and it puts me in a good mood when I'm driving and I dance and twitch and act like an idiot trying to sing along because honestly I have no clue what he's saying except for when he says "Brown Sugar got paid, beer drinker got played, sunglasses on the blackbird, barbeque is the new word..." blah blah blah... so fun!

Song of the Day - Enough

I love the Band of Heathens, even if they did rip off my band name for when I have a band someday... which would be the Hallelujah Heathens. And by rip off, I mean I was listening to their song Hallelujah when I put two and two together, but as far as I'm concerned, I had the idea first.

Anyway, I just like this song and it's perfect for a Monday because it reminds me of everything I'm lucky to have when I really feel crappy. I'm always amazed at how there are just enough people to make the world go 'round. I mean, obviously there's still hungry homeless people and stuff, but my point is we can't all be brain surgeons. Somebody has to take out the trash at the food court in the mall and did you ever think that somebody out there has to fix all the broken and squeaky Walmart baskets? There could probably be a few more people with that job though because those damn baskets are always jankity so that may not be the best point.

Sorry for rambling... I am thinking deep thoughts today!

Back to the song... here it is.

PS, this whole album is the bomb.com and has a very gritty-grimy-New Orleans-old-timey feel to it. Check it out!

Justin Moore's Super-Country-Country-Song, "Bait a Hook" Checklist

This round of "My Super-Country Country Song Checklist" is brought to you in part by Hanes Classics Boys' No Ride Up Camo Briefs 3-Pack! - AKA, the Justin Moore Special!

Today we will be analyzing self-proclaimed "outlaw," Justin Moore's Bait a Hook. 

Here is the official music video:

I guess I will have to do a recap of the video to make up for the lack of any substantial comments, but here's what the people are saying anyway:

"thumbs up if you can bait a hook" -henryfishinandhuntin

"When someone rings the doorbell, why do dogs always assume it’s for them?" -darkmoo23

Just a snippet of the caliber of people commenting on this video.

Anyhow, the video is complete with little Justin fishing in his crappy boat in his denim tuxedo complete with jeans he borrowed from Alan Jackson's Chatthochee video circa 1994 and a pearl snap shirt, unbuttoned to show off his hairless chest and man-jewelry like all the real outlaws do. 

Then we get to see some pretty man and woman couple which have nothing to do with Justin eating fancy food and getting manicures. Then they get on a fancy boat and beat the "good ole boy" at catching fish. The end.

Oh, and he makes out with his dog and eats his biscuits. 

Now, on with the checklist. How country IS Mr. Moore? Let's find out!!

References:

[] Beer

[x] Whiskey

[] Smoking

[] Chicken

[] Boots

[] Jeans

[] Cowboy hat / ‘ol’ ball cap’

[x] Dirt/Back Roads

[xx] Fields, ’Sticks,’ Country, River etc.

[] Tractors

[] Fighting

[x] Trucks

[x] Huntin’

[xx] Fishin’

[x] Mama and/or Daddy

Uses terms:

[] Hick

[] Redneck

[x] Country boy/girl

[] Hillbilly

[] Outlaw

[] Blue-collar

Name Drops:

[] Willie Nelson

[] Waylon Jennings

[] Hank Williams 1, 2 or 3

[] Johnny Cash (Man in Black)

[] Merle Haggard

[] Jesus

BONUS:

[] Rapping

[xxxxxx] Talking/spoken work through end of song

WOW! Justin Moore really cleared house on the references for this song! However, I don't think he gave himself enough outlaw cred because he never a) outright called himself and outlaw and b) never name-dropped a single 'outlaw.'

(Clarification: he did call himself a "good ole boy" and Jack Daniels doesn't qualify as a name-drop, it is a whiskey reference.)

This song was originally only worth a C+ for it's country quality, but with the arrogance of it and the super-duper bonus for talking through the end of the song (which he set the bar high for the rest of the country musicians on this one) I'd score Bait a Hook a solid B+ for overall countryness. But I bet if we combined this song with Outlaws Like Me, he'd score a perfect 100%!

Way to go, Justin - keep up the good work!!

Obsessed with Lincoln Durham

"If you dig Son House and Townes Van Zandt... Lincoln Durham is your man. Don't come no cooler." 

-Ray Wylie Hubbard

I heard my first Lincoln Durham song on the Drop on Galleywinter and I had never heard anything like it. I don't know how to describe it because I don't speak that musical language that all the real music reviewers use, but I know a good thing when I hear it. I went and bought his EP as soon as I could and I've been waiting for the release of his album, The Shovel vs. The Howling Bones for months. I have seriously had it written on my calendar at work since the day it was announced. I preordered it on Lonestar Music and I got my autographed copy in yesterday.

The cover of it is super creepy, like the name, and I like it. It fits his style I guess. Speaking of his style, he dresses like a 1920s paper boy. I have never seen him live but one of my friends did and came back talking about how weird he dresses, but I think that's all a part of his mystique.

One thing I know is that this kid is innovative. Check out the list of "instruments" included on some of these songs...

Bird feeder..trash can..cardboard box?

Anyway, I have been sitting in my room for at least an hour now doing that thing I do when I'm bored and one little thing manifests into hours of internet stalking researching until I know everything there is to know (on public domain) about somebody. Well, I think this bio I found on Lonestar says all you need to know...

born in Whitney, Texas. raised in Itasca. started playing fiddle at the age of four. that’s right, four years old. by eight, Lincoln Durham was performing in fiddle contests all over Arkansas and Oklahoma. in fact, at ten he won the Texas State Youth Fiddle Championship. come twelve, the young man hooked up a residency with the house band at the Oceola Opry. then, through his high school years, Lincoln decided to pick up the strat. he started a three-piece band playing who else but Jimi and Stevie Ray. took a spell, though, and put the guitar on the backburner for a while to pursue art and design. but, a couple years ago, he grabbed a resonator, a slide and an old Gibson j45. he impressed Ray Wylie Hubbard so much with his greasy, nasty sound that Ray signed on to produce his record.

I have been sitting here watching video after video of Lincoln, which I've watched most of them before, but I'm just as amazed as the first time. I can hardly listen to my iPod and work out on the elliptical at the same time - I can't imagine singing, playing the harmonica, fiddle, and guitar at the same time and not looking like someone from a Dr. Seuss book. 

Here's the first song that got me on this bandwagon:

And here's my favorite song (so far) from the new album:

People I Love: Jason Isbell

I heard about Jason Isbell about a year or so ago but never really jumped on the bandwagon. I knew that he used to be with the Drive By Truckers but that was about it. Then in the past few months, reviews for his newest album, Here We Rest, have been popping up everywhere and basically people are going nuts for it and the song Codeine. I listened to it a few times but never understood the hype.

Then, a few days ago, I woke up with Codeine stuck in my head. I went and found it on Spotify and it was like something just clicked and I now understand what all the buzz is about. I have listened to nothing but Jason Isbell since then and bought his last two entire albums. Needless to say, I am now hooked.

I won't go into all that nonsense about what makes him so good and what his "sound" is like, because I don't know shit about all that technical stuff, I just know I like it and I can't get enough. You will have to see for yourself. And if you don't catch on right away, give it some time and maybe you will have an epiphany like it did and be hooked for good. :)

Music Binge: Ryan Bingham

I frequently go on these kicks where I'll hear a song I haven't listened to in a while and rediscover an artist all over again. I'll binge out on their music for days on end and search the Internet for any and all information I can find on them. My mind is constantly trying to shove more useless information about my favorite singers into every crevice. Some might call it stalking, I call it research. ;) Never underestimate my ability to find something out.

Right now I'm obsessing over Ryan Bingham. I've been in the car with my family driving for 7 hours to Oklahoma so it's been the perfect time for me to be reading article after article and countless interviews. I realized that Bingham definitely has been through the ringer so it makes perfect sense for his songs and west Texas weather-beaten voice to seem beyond his years. He just has so much raw talent and such a unique sound that nobody else comes close to. Basically he's a complete badass. I've never been lucky enough to see him live but I hope it happens before the world ends.

I don't remember necessarily the first time I heard him but I remember the night I realized how good he is. I was in high school out on my best friend's family's ranch with her older brother and his college friends. They had a campfire going and lots of whiskey guns and beer was available. One of his friends was blasting Ryan Bingham and the song Sunrise was so fitting and it just made the night so much more nostalgic in my mind to this day.

Sunrise is still one of my favorite Bingham tunes but it would be hard to pick a favorite because they're all so different but equally amazing and authentic.

I'm writing this from my phone and I can't figure out how to attach a YouTube video or anything but I did find these super sexy pictures of him.

Videos I Love: Pardon Me

I have never really been into scrawny little guys with straggly long hair, but DAMN that Jonathan Tyler is sexy.

Videos I love: Cody Canada and Miranda Lambert

My favorite male singer + my favorite female singer combined singing one of my all time favorite songs. Does it get any better?

Lovely Ladies: Miranda and Kelly

This is just fun! I love both of them. Real women with gorgeous strong voices.

Another reason to love Jason Boland

It's no secret Jason Boland has insane songwriting skills, which is just one of the reasons he is such a legend in Texas/Oklahoma music. I've listened to his latest CD, Rancho Alto a few times, but I haven't really listened listened to it. With a talented writer like Boland, it is important to actually hear the lyrics because they are sure to blow you away if you really pay attention, but I just haven't had time.


Today I came across this article from back in October when Rancho Alto was released and realized what I had missed out on by passing up this CD and never really hearing the words. I love finding out the stories behind songs, especially when some of them are over my head (which happens a lot) and learning how the artist intended the story to be interpreted.

Turns out, the song False Accuser's Lament was sort of a sequel to Lefty Frizzell's (Johnny Cash sang it later too) Long Black Veil. While Long Black Veil is told from the point of view of the person accused, Boland's take on the story is from the perspective of one of the accusers.

As soon as I read this, I looked up the lyrics to both songs and read along as I listened to them on Spotify. Pretty cool stuff. Who thinks like this?? Jason Boland does, evidently.

Here's both songs and links to the lyrics for each.

Lyrics

Lyrics

Pretty song, pretty voice, pretty video

And Jason Cassidy is kinda pretty too...

You have to click the link to watch this video because it is "unlisted," whatever the hell that means.

So click here to watch What If.

Videos I Love: Baby Brauns

I think this is just about the cutest thing I've ever seen. It the Braun brothers from Reckless Kelly and Mickey and the Motorcars from way back in the day on Jay Leno. So cool to see how they got their start and that all four of them are successful and talented musicians today.

Chris Cagle's Super-Country-Country-Song, "Got My Country On" Checklist

This round of "My Super-Country Country Song Checklist" is brought to you in part by Summer's Eve.

Today we will be analyzing mid-2000s hit-maker Chris Cagle's comeback song Got My Country On from his much-anticipated album "Back in the Saddle." Now that sounds like a real cowboy!!!

Here is the official music video:

The comments on this video say it all, no need for a real review here! Here is what a few viewers had to say:

"I'm just gonna take a shot in the dark here and guess that the people who disliked this song have never got anything done with their own two hands."

Well said 1cheapguitar!!

"met him at a walmart in newnan georgia a few years back. this guy is the shit!"

Rolltide998 is a lucky dude!

Now, on with the checklist. How country IS Mr. Cagle? Let's find out!!

References:

[] Beer

[] Whiskey

[] Smoking

[x] Chicken

[] Boots

[] Jeans

[x] Cowboy hat/ol’ ball cap

[] Dirt/Back Roads

[] Tractors

[] Fighting

[x] Trucks

[] Huntin’

[] Fishin’

[x] Mama and/or Daddy

Uses terms:

[] Hick

[] Redneck

[] Country boy/girl

[] Hillbilly

[] Outlaw

[x] Blue-collar

Name Drops:

[] Willie Nelson

[] Waylon Jennings

[] Hank Williams 1, 2 or 3

[x] Johnny Cash (Man in Black)

[] Merle Haggard

[x] Jesus

BONUS:

[] Rapping

[x] Talking/spoken word through end of song

Hitting one or more subject from each category, I'd say, this song is a success! Chris Cagle is VERY country! Although, I'd like to hear more about how much alcohol will be drank in the backyard while doin' some "chillin', chicken grillin' and guitars," I think we can just assume it's a family-friendly party.... wait, probably not (http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20202817,00.html).

Overall, I'd score Got My Country On a solid B+ for countryness. 

Way to go, Chris - keep up the good work!!

Favorite 10 of '11

Everywhere I look, there are lists of the best songs of 2011. It has really gotten me thinking so I guess I should do a list of my own. I obviously don't know jack about music or what goes into a song so my list isn't about which one is the "best" or whatever, it's just a list of the albums I listened to the most. If I played the CD over and over without getting sick of it, it's on this list. Albums with staying power are few and far between and with bands putting out new music as frequently as they do (with the exception of Stoney LaRue, wtf man?), it's kind of a big deal if I listen to any album all the way through more than 2 or 3 times. So, here goes nothin'.

10- Reckless Kelly, Good Luck and True Love
I wasn't the biggest fan of the last album they put out, but I felt like this one went back to the true Reckless Kelly sound.




9- Brandon Rhyder, Live at Billy Bob's
I love Brandon Rhyder so this one is a no-brainer to me. I love the mix of old and new songs and I think Shine is probably the most played song on my Spotify.




8- Adam Hood, The Shape of Things
Just plain fun, love just about every song on it. This Alabama boy brings a different groove (no pun intended) to Texas music.




7- Stoney LaRue, Velvet
I think a lot of people were disappointed that it wasn't old-school Stoney circa Oklahoma Breakdown and One Chord Song, but after waiting more than 6 years for an album I would expect something completely new, which is what we got and I approve! (The autographed CD thanks to Galleywinter didn't hurt either...)




6- Sunny Sweeney, Concrete
This album has everything a girl needs, and probably lots of guys too. I think it's great that she's taking her music nation-wide because music like this needs to be shared and the more the merrier. No pop-country-glitter-and-glam here, she's the real deal. (And I'd love to tap into her stash of Merle Haggard tshirts..)




5- Cody Canada and the Departed, This is Indian Land
This filled the void in my heart where Ragweed used to be. Also one of the best concerts I've ever been to. Can't wait to hear more from these guys.




4- Rich O'Toole, Kiss of a Liar
Definitely his best album yet. This one got me through many long days driving to and from work this past summer and I still love to listen to it.




3- Miranda Lambert, Four the Record
Anything Miranda touches turns to gold and this was her year for sure. It will be a long, long time before I put this CD down.




2- The Damn Quails, Down the Hatch
The best new act of 2011. If you need to hear anything else, go read every.single.other.list because I promise they are in the top 5.




1- Whiskey Myers, Firewater
I think this one is going unnoticed in all these lists because it was released earlier in the year, but I still listen to it weekly. I love every song on it and it will never get old. I'm pretty sure it was the only thing I listened to for months after it came out and I will still be listening to it for years to come. No doubt that it was my number 1 album of 2011.

Honorable mentions: Pistol Annies, Hell on Heels; Micky and the Motorcars, Raise My Glass; Mike McClure, Fifty Billion;  Hayes Carll, KMAG YOYO; Zack Walther Band, Into the Fray; Ryan Beaver, Constant.