With the original band personnel intact, the second
Beat Farmers album,
Van Go, continues the group's approach as a down and dirty country-rock band. Lead singer/guitarist/songwriter Jerry Raney comes up with some great originals, such as "Deceiver" and "Gun Sale Down at the Church," that are delivered in
the Farmers' sweaty, alcohol-drenched sound. There is also an amazing cover of
Neil Young's "Powderfinger," which sounds like it was written for the band, and it's easily one of the album's highlights. Drummer/vocalist and part-time frontman
Country Dick Montana continues on with his skewed version of
Johnny Cash with an excellent version of "Big Ugly Wheels." All of this proves that a change to a major label didn't diminish the band's style or appeal. ~ Matthew Greenwald