Power of County “See You in Rock ‘n’ Roll Heaven” (Union Records, 2008)

Invigorating slice of shit kickin’ music

Cowpunk as a movement married a punk sensibility with a love and knowledge of classic country and good ole rock ‘n’ roll. Its greatest exponents were Jason and the Scorchers whose early releases remain the template for all who follow. Power of County have seized on this legacy and produced as fine an album of ass whuppin’ country rock as I’ve heard in a long time.

In less than 30 minutes this album covers all the bases with frantic country rockers and booze soaked ballads,. Death, prison and greed all figure.

“Ain’t Going Back to Jail” kicks the album off with guitars, banjos and piano delivering a cracking song as the singer gives two fingers to a judge. “The Ballad of Charlie Sad” is a soiled woozy waltz recounting the tale of a miner’s fabled wealth spreading discord in a community, beautifully played with a knowing sense of bathos. The band continue to deliver both inspired up-tempo numbers (Love Me in Chains) and sweet ballads (Nothing to Prove). “Different Seeds” offers a chance to stretch out. A cowboy tale with a galloping mid section that captures that great big wide screen western sound. On “Father, Mother, Son” they come across as a hillbilly Drive by Truckers, no bad thing.

Led by D. Rives Curtright and Matt Stark who co wrote the majority of the songs here Power of County are an impressive bunch. Looking the part of (fairly scary) country rock ‘n’ rollers and with some excellent cover art to the album I’d love to see them in a live setting. The album ends with perhaps the best song here. “Silver and Gold “ has as good a back beat as The Band ever produced and drives along with a Fogerty inspired propulsion. A great way to end a great little album.

Date review added:  Friday, July 18, 2008
Reviewer:  Paul Kerr
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Related web link:  meanwhile back at the ranch