| Cross Canadian Ragweed - Cross Canadian Ragweed | |
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Reviewed by Kathy Coleman
Y'alternative, is one of the things Cross Canadian Ragweed labels themselves. They aren't trapped into any one genre; calling them "country" is as inadequate as calling them "rock," as they are, precisely, neither. "Roots rock" has been used, too; as well as such phrases as "Americana," "Alt-Country," or "Red Dirt." Whatever the boys from Oklahoma choose to call themselves, however, it's good "shtuff."
It is hard rockin' country, and if that's the sort of music that rocks your world, then you need to give them a listen. If you like the country of Lynard Skynard and the rock of Travis Tritt, these are the guys for you. These four guys Cody Canada, Grady Cross, Randy Ragsdale, and Jeremy Plato know what they're doing when they set out to make great music. You can tell they like what they're doing.
For years now, CCR has been playing the bar scene in central Oklahoma and into Texas, acknowledging Amarillo as one of their home bases. They have opened for the likes of Merle Haggard, Willie Nelson, Robert Earl Keen, David Allen Coe, Chris LeDoux, and others. They have four other discs to their credit, "Carney," "Live and Loud at The Wormy Dog Saloon," "Live and Loud at Billy Bob's," and last year's tremendous "Highway 377." This fifth CD, the self-titled "Cross Canadian Ragweed," is their first with the new label, Universal South, and their first attempt to break out to a broader audience. With their strong country-rock sound and driving beat, not to mention fantastic songs, it's a sure bet they're going to do it.
Cross Canadian Ragweed opens with "Anywhere But Here," written by front man Cody Canada, who also pens the other 11 songs on the disc, co-writing a few of them with other band member Jeremy Plato, as well as producer Mike McClure and musician Jason Boland (Jason Boland & The Stragglers). "Anywhere But Here" comes on hard with a strong beat, hardcore southern-fried rock, with biting, embittered lyrics but tight playing from drummer Randy Ragsdale, Canada's edgy voice and harmonica playing, as well as his driving lead guitar.
Canada demonstrates a magnificent skill with words as his rich, introspective lyrics come on strong in "17," which touches deeply on the feelings of any 17-year-old, and how much those feelings stick with one through life. In "Brooklyn Kid," a folksy-country Dylanesque tune (which pays homage to Bob Dylan in more than just sound, but also in the lyrics), Canada alternates between classy lyrics and masterful harmonica playing to bring forth a truly excellent, soulful sound. From there, the disc only gets better and better, stronger and more rich in sound and flavor. This album shows a great deal of maturing on the part of this band. While they have been excellent in the past, the songs on this new release demonstrate a tremendous growth in their sound and their presentation. More than just a "play it loud" live band, they are proving to be a strong and absolutely superior studio band, as well. Their playing is tight, tremendous, an incredible example of a band who has been playing as a group for a while. They know each others' moves and sound, and they play off each other as much as they do their music. From the hardcore southern-fried rock of "Anywhere But Here" to beautiful alt-country ballads such as "Broken" and "On A Cloud" (a tribute to the Stillwater Crash victims) to the solid blues rock of "Suicide Blues," these guys are more than up to showing they are a band to be reckoned with. (Continue to listen to the disc once you get to the end of "Freedom," because after a few moments of silence, the music picks up again.)
This are a powerfully entertaining and a tremendously talented group of guys. I hope we hear a great deal more from this group, and soon. This is the hard, real sound that mainstream country is sorely lacking, this Red Dirt "y'alternative." Give Universal South a big hand for signing them up.
Song List:
- Anywhere But Here
- 17
- Brooklyn Kid
- Don't Need You
- Walls of Huntsville
- Broken
- Constantly
- Suicide Blues
- Other Side
- On A Cloud
- Carry You Home
- Freedom
Album cover, used with permission of Universal South.
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