With Drivin' N' Cryin',
Kevn Kinney and co. were at a stage that builds character. For this Ichiban effort they've gone from indie to major to indie. This brings to mind that line from "Honeysuckle Blue," "lost and found and lost again." The band takes this opportunity to explore its punk roots a bit but still manage to summon the urgency that sometimes makes them great. They also still take some unusually bright and cheery turns, like their cover of
John Denver's "Leavin' on a Jet Plane." They are perhaps a tad stagnant despite all of this (their country roots aren't at all evident). Compared to
Wrapped in Sky, this one is probably a half-a-step down for the simple reason that its grip on your lapels isn't quite as tight. Still, this is an engaging and solid effort from a band that could have given it up creatively (as well as literally) a long time ago. ~ Brian Briscoe