|
A few decades ago, George Jones asked a very important
question that has been plaguing the minds of real country music
lovers for decades: "Who's gonna fill their shoes?"
Well, George, I am happy to report that country music has been
saved, but it's coming from independent record labels, and very
rarely coming out of Nashville and the Grand Ole Opry. Rex
Hobart And The Misery Boys pay homage to the greats, while
creating music that easily stands its own as a stalwart of the
modern country world. Additionally, Hobart's vocals sound more
than just a bit like Mr. Jones himself, having a similar gravely,
yet clear and high lonesome timbre.
The music on Hobart's fourth release, Empty House, continues
to build on the solid foundations The Misery Boys have laid on
their previous outings. The songs are heartfelt, melodic compositions
based solidly in the country music of the 60's. J.B. Morris'
guitar work is amazing, having a clean texture and amazing depth
that is rare to find in modern music. He goes from thick twanging
rhythm lines to snappy, bright leads without a hitch, all the
while staying true to the genre's greats, but having a distinctive
voice of his own. Solomon Hofer's pedal steel licks cry
with the brilliant honky tonk spirit of the past, perfectly complementing
the concrete rhythm section of T.C. Dobbs and Blackjack
Snow. Let us not forget Rex Hobart's rich baritone
voice, with its distinctive clarity and personality that makes
for a truly pleasurable listening experience on songs like the
sorrowful "Every Night I Leave You In My Mind". From
the smoky, honky tonk ferocity of "The Good Ain't Gone"
to the swinging "I Just Lost My Mind", Empty House
is a fine collection of modern classics.
Establishing their place amid the honky tonkers and twanging
heart breakers of today such as Dale Watson, The Domino
Kings, Dwight Yoakam, Bill Kirchen, etc., Rex
Hobart And The Misery Boys are paving the way for younger generations
to understand what real country music is supposed to be. It looks
like the shoes have been filled rather nicely, George. God bless
these boys.
-Embo Blake
Track Listing:
1. The Good Ain't Gone
2. Every Night I Leave You In My Mind
3. Don't Make Me Break Your Heart
4. It Won't Be Long (and I'll be hating you)
5. I Just Lost My Mind
6. I Don't Like That Mirror
7. The Tear I Left Behind
8. Empty House Dawn And Twilight
9. Let's Leave Me
10. Heartache To Hide
11. Black Iron Bridge
Check out
more reviews
 Talk
Back
e-mail the chief
Like this article?
e-mail
it to a friend!
|
Rex
Hobart And The Misery Boys
