The Starline Rhythm Boys is a trio delightfully out of time and place, producing a potent blend of classic country and vintage rock & roll in the year 2000 and residing in Burlington, VT. Don't let that fool you, though: These boys are the real deal. Former
Asleep at the Wheel member
Leroy Preston knows it; he pens the liner notes and contributes the fine "Buckets of Love." The album takes listeners back to the time when the lines between rock & roll's infancy and country music were blurred, stirring echoes of "Blue Moon of Kentucky"-era Elvis and landing smack dab between
Jimmy Martin and
Kitty Wells. Standout tracks include the bluegrassy "Piece of Alabam," the honky tonkin' title track (written by standup bass player Billy Bratcher), the searing rock & roll of "Rollin' Danny," and Rose Lucas' vocal turn on "Life's Heart Is Unfair." But there's not a loser in the bunch and this is great listening from top to bottom.
Sean Mencher, from the rockabilly group
High Noon, produces.