| Genuine - The Derailers | |
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Reviewed by Matt Bjorke
After being signed to a couple different labels, Austin, Texas based group, The Derailers signed a contract in 2001 with Lucky Dog Records. Their first album, also released in 2001, was the aptly titled Here Comes The Derailers. Critically acclaimed as a band to watch, The Derailers are back for their second disc from Lucky Dog Records, Genuine. The Derailers consist of Tony Villanueva on lead vocals and guitar, Brian Hofeldt on vocals and guitar, Ed Adkins on bass with Scott Matthews on the drums.
Mixing the Bakersfield sound of Buck Owens with traditional country and Beatles styled rock, the Derailers have a sound that is completely their own. Leading off their unique CD is the Jim Lauderdale and John Leventhal penned "The Way To My Heart." Those fans who know Jim Lauderdale's own work will surely instantly recognize the song as something he wrote for it has the phrasing and melody that Jim has made a career of writing.
Jim Lauderdale also has a hand in writing the second song on the album, "Take It Back," with the equally talented chanteuse Leslie Satcher. Clocking in at only 2 minutes long, the song is short and sweet. It's a traditional styled uptempo song that used to be a staple on radio from the sixties and the seventies. That being said, this song could still be a hit if given a chance at radio.
"Leave A Message, Juanita" features a Latin Ritchie Valens-style with traditional pop sensibilities. This song is said to be what the Derailers used to sound like in the past. If that's so, I really need to check their work prior to their Lucky Dog label days. This is fun and could be a nice summer hit if radio would get enough gumption to spin it. Fans of the Mavericks would really love this song as well, for it has the same style they are famously known for.
I have always loved Roy Orbison songs and whenever I hear a song similar in style to his great hits, I get chills. "Alone With You" is such a song. Written by Brian Hofeldt with Billy Lawson and Dale Dodson, this is a simple love song that has elegant production courtesy of Kyle Lehning (Randy Travis, Nashville Star).
Released to radio, "Genuine" is my favorite track on the record. It has a wonderful Beatles-styled melody with a fun guitar lick. The harmonic chorus will have you singing along by the end of the song. Tony Villanueva co wrote this three minute gem with the great Al Anderson (NRBQ).
"Uncool" just has a "hipster" coolness factor to attached to it. The song is talking about how people follow the trends instead of starting their own ones, "I'll do my own thing and be uncool." Fun, irrelevant, and catchy, this song was co written by Tony and Brian with Kelly Garrett.
"Scratch My Itch" features Brian on lead vocals. Another song with a strong sense of the sixties pop explosion, the song is a musically and vocally layered song about the way a woman can get into the mind of men. Brian, Tony and bassist Ed Adkins co-wrote it.
Country music and gospel music have always been cousins and many country artists have recorded gospel songs on their records. The Derailers are no different than the rest and include "The Wheel" as the final song on the Genuine album. The music is old-timey and if I didn't know better, I'd think I was listening to the Oak Ridge Boys and not the Derailers. The song is very good and a nice sentimental way to end a stellar record.
The Derailers may not be a household name, nor will they likely ever be, but they are a band that "does their own thing" and are respected by fans and critics alike. They are a treasure to the genre that is country music and showcase a sound that is missing from the airwaves today. Hopefully someone will give them a chance and spin their songs, if only so the guys of The Derailers can continue to make records like Genuine.
Song List:
Album cover used with permission of Sony Nashville.
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