Remember those glorious days when punk rock and country music collided to form a raucous new sound that would eventually be termed alt-country? The Country Westerns definitely do, as is evidenced by their self-titled debut. Consisting of singer-guitarist Joey Plunkett, drummer Brian Kotzur, and bassist Sabrina Rush, the trio have solid credentials between them ranging from Brooklyn band The Weight to the Silver Jews (and yes, David Berman was a fan) with plenty of gigs in between. With esteemed label Fat Possum Records putting out their new album, it’s clear the Country Westerns are ready to share their sound with anyone who finds themselves longing for the days when loud, rowdy, whiskey-soaked bar bands were easier to find.
Listening to opening track “Anytime” – a driving rocker with gritty, urgent vocals – it’s easy to hear a sound reminiscent of acts like Lucero, the Drive-By Truckers and Uncle Tupelo. Plunkett’s melodic vocals and searing guitar solos immediately pull you in before thrusting you into “It’s Not Easy,” a song that feels straight out of the early 90s alt-country scene. With Rush and Kotzur providing a sturdy rhythmic backbone on bass and drums to complement the guitar, lyrics and vocals, the band conjures up serious rock and roll greatness. You can hear it in the yee haws that ring out during this song. “Guest Checks” finds Rush laying into a thick and funky bassline, contrasting with Plunkett’s down and out vocals alongside a jagged guitar solo, while the hard-charging “I’m Not Ready” finds the band belting out harmonies together while slamming along at a frenetic pace. They showcase their versatility as a unit on the slowed down “It’s On Me,” a song about owning up to fucking up that shimmers with a soaring guitar solo before going into the infectious, tambourine-laden anthem “Times to Tunnels,” a major standout that brings together country rock and power pop sensibilities. “TV Light” layers in punk drumming and guitars before the band switches gears for the yearning and melancholy “Close to Me.” The album careens towards the end with “Slow Nights,” a song that references bad choices at the witching hour in Springsteen-esque fashion before reaching the final act in “Two Characters In Search of a Country Song.” This ode to friendship and bonding bounces along with drippy guitar and a thumping beat to make you think about your own experiences seeking camaraderie over a few drinks and a jukebox.
You can practically smell the beer-stank glory of the dive bar throughout the album as the trio plays the kind of music that is perfectly suited for late nights and dark lights. There is a vicious, unbridled intensity to the way they play that feels reminiscent of acts like the Replacements, who managed to bottle up downtrodden drunkenness into a rough yet insanely melodic rock and roll concoction. The Country Westerns have given us one hell of a debut, bringing to mind the glory days of bar band alt-country while still sounding bitingly fresh and lyrically relevant to ultimately result in an early contender for album of the year.
