This is a pretty great record. That probably explains why it goes for $30-$60 these days. I don't remember how much I paid for it, but I'm glad I ordered it from Suburban Home in my "I'm going to get into alt-country just like all my punk heroes are doing" phase. Two cover songs that are pretty excellent.

Austin Lucas throws down a stellar cover of Dolly Parton's "To Daddy". I'll be honest when I say I don't like country all that much. My mom listened to country radio constantly in the 80's when I was growing up and it became the most uncool thing there is, in my mind. But this Dolly Parton song is a powerful example of a strong woman and about the only thing that irks me about it is the use of the word "Daddy." It's simple, well-written and probably moderately controversial in the conservative country group. It's also probably a good word of warning to dudes who want to be good to their ladies. The "gone to search for love I need so badly" line is the awesome pinnacle to the song and the line that will hopefully stick with those trying-to-be-good dudes. It's a great song and Lucas does a fine job of covering it. Occasionally he has a tendency to lose the melody in his work, but he sticks the landing with this vault and faithfully reproduces the power behind the words.

Frank Turner submits a cover of a seminal Bruce Springsteen song: "Thunder Road". I know I should know more Springsteen songs, but in 1995, my college roommate sort of ruined The Boss for me. That roommate and I did not see eye to eye on many issues. Once, I came in while he was listening to The Ghost of Tom Joad in the dark and I just turned it off, thinking he was asleep. He got pretty mad, but we were well on our way to divorce at that point. Besides, I always angered him with my Mephiskapheles.

Anyways, I don't know Thunder Road, thanks to that roommate. But I like this cover of it. I like the British accent applied to the classic American rock song. I like Frank Turner's growl on the loud parts. I love the dynamic composition and the peak and fall of the flow of the song. Turner puts a particularly good crescendo in before the "chorus" that really brings out the power of the song. It seems that our chief export to the UK these days is Americana and other traditional (white) American roots music. They seem to be doing a fine job of making our music and this cover of our greatest rock hero is another excellent reimagining of our traditions.

If you like this review, you can buy me a coffee.