Drenched in alternative country and roots rock, this trio has created a great album with each song standing on its own quite well. The opening "The Reason Why" brings to mind
the Jayhawks or
Son Volt, while each musician gets to shine in a brief instrumental bridge. The song also has a definitive twang to it but not one that would put the listener off. The subsequent title track has a marching drumbeat and a simple yet lovable narrative that could be mistaken for
Townes Van Zandt. There is an Americana element to most of the songs in the vein of
Steve Earle or
Bruce Springsteen, particularly on the gorgeous "Over the Line." While the vocals could use a bit of polish in certain songs, it's the roughness that only adds its attraction. Slower tracks such as "West Side Blues" and "The Motherlode," perhaps the best on the record, have a solitary and reflective feeling to them in the vein of
the Cash Brothers or a country-era
Rolling Stones. "Everything Must Go" consists of the standard honky tonk blueprint, but still has a certain freshness to it. If there is one song that appears to lose its direction, it's "Better Than Nothing." Despite having a nice lap steel guitar, the song is a bit stale compared to others here. Influences such as
the Statler Brothers can be easily recognized in the gospel-tinged "Where Will You Love?" Only on "The Fine Line," a typical roots rock arrangement, does the band sound like its forcing the song along. But that negative is quickly forgotten when listening to "Rain Comes Down," a track
Mike Ness could have a possible hit with. One of the more enjoyable 40 minutes of alternative country you'll hear. ~ Jason MacNeil