Upon an initial listen to the
Boxmasters,
Billy Bob Thornton's new "hillbilly rock" trio, its seems he finally got his heart's musical desire: a bona fide rock & roll band that is deeply rooted in Bakersfield country, Tennessee hillbilly boogie, and early- to mid-'60s pop via the British Invasion.
Thornton, who goes by
W.R. "Bud" Thornton, plays drums, shakes tambourines, and sings, with
J.D. Andrew on bass, guitars, and harmony vocals, while
Michael Wayne Butler handles lap steel, dobro, and lead guitars; along with a slew of other "other Boxmasters" guests. The extras will be part of the touring unit -- including another drummer. (This way
Thornton can concentrate on "singing" up front where people can see him.) This project reeks of novelty and shtick, beginning with the packaging: two CDs -- one each of originals and covers -- in a cardboard box with a black-and-white photo of the three founding
Boxmasters on the front wearing their trademark uniform of retro looking suits. That said, they deliver exactly what that say they do: a pretty seamless blend of decently written
Buck Owens-style country tunes that are textured by reverb, echo chambers, and layered guitars, with simple harmonies and catchy melodies that recall the '60s. The music is great.
Andrew and
Butler and most of the "others" are phenomenal musicians; they manage any style they attempt with real expertise and no nonsense. That said, however,
Thornton can't drum to save his life, and he can't sing, though he tries hard. He has none of the expressiveness or discipline that others sharing his technical deficiencies do. Therefore, despite the relative sophistication and humorous invention in his offbeat lyrics and spot-on melodies -- they are often very clever -- he comes off flat and dull compared to the rather exciting meld of guitars and sounds coming from the rest of the band.