Band I'm loving: Hellbound Glory

For a music lover, it's not often you find a band that you just love.

One that gets you excited about music again...one that you would drive 6 hours to see 2 nights in a row.

Well, after a few years of trolling the underground country scene and only really listening to Hank 3...because, you know, he's Hank 3, I decided to really get all up in there and I found Hellbound Glory.

You can Check them out on their facebook page (linked above.)

I don't need to tell you how awesome they are--just check out a few of my favorite songs from their latest album, Damaged Goods:

"Bastard Child"

  
I can't find a full song/video of one of my other favorites, "She Left Me in Modesto," but here's a sample of it. The whole song is a must-hear though. Great story, told the way a country song is supposed to tell a story. Oh, and a truck is an integral part of the plot...that's always good.

These songs are my kind of music.

When it comes to lyrics, especially in roots/country/awesome music, less is more. Simple is beautiful.

I really love the writing in this song, "Lost Cause:"

I'm especially in love with the line:
"Let's build this burning bridge/before we get too deep/
And let me dig my ditch/down this one way, dead end street"

I don't know a ton about these guys...but I have listened to Damaged Goods enough to have it memorized.

"But Carrie," you say, "this low-down, depressing outlaw stuff belies your sweet nature, cheerful disposition, and chirpy voice."


To which I say, "Suck it, jerkface!"

But really. This stuff wakes my soul up. It makes me want to cry...dance...shake my fist,,,and drive down the the road, singing at the top of my lungs. I can't explain it.

It's not a "yeah, that's good" situation. Like when I listen to Lady Gaga when Mike's not around sometimes.

Speaking of my handsome husband. I'm loving the song "Living With the Shades Pulled Down." Here's Merle Haggard's version.

And Hellbound's version:

The whole..."Livin' with the shades pulled down all day" idea pretty much describes our nocturnal schedule. Plus, I love the vibe of being outcasts...but who the eff cares? We're crazy in lurve!

 Yup, just like Mike and I.

To quote the classic film from my youth, "She's All That," though...

"Except for that whole hooker thing."

My point? If you love fun, bad ass, outlaw (REAL outlaw...not Brantley Gilbert outlaw. Good grief.) country music...RUN...don't walk...CLICK...don't leisurely scroll...over to somewhere and check out Hellbound Glory.

One more for the road:

"Whiskey Bent and Hell Bound"

Okay...Fine!

I really like this song.

As with most phases we go through (do almost-30-year-olds still go through phases?) I think this one is over.

I have been acting like a country music elitist...but the TRL-watching high school sophomore in me still loves a good, catchy song. I can't help it. And everything I've heard from Taylor Swift's latest album makes me want to go on a windows-down road trip.

What got my 'tude all revved up about current country sucking:

generic laundry lists songs that mention tractors, Jack Daniels, cut-off jeans, and Johnny Cash.

blatant product placement.

and my former Aussie obsession, Keith Urban's last new CD's, which sound like watered down adult contemporary pop instead of the groovy country rock I know he's capable of.

to name a few.

But I think there ARE still some awesome country artists still making music and writing songs from their hearts and life experiences.

Regardless of genre, I think Taylor Swift is one of those artists.

And Brad Paisley...WOW! This guy is super talented. Original...funny and amusing while writing songs you can listen to over and over...and respectful of the classics while doing his own thing. I absolutely love his new song "Old Alabama"

Side Note: I had 4 tapes that I listened to when I was a young kid: Ricky Skaggs, Alabama, Hank Williams Jr. and Mel McDaniel. That, and watching CMT with my Grandma Schroeder and Uncle Gary made me the music lover I am today.

So I suppose this post is me coming clean. Good music is good music, and no matter what it is classified as, it can still be appreciated and respected.

I've been around more elitist hipsters than I care to mention and I DON'T want to be like that.

Now I guess all that's left to do is drive my old pickup down a dirt road, crank up the Hank, and pop open a cold beer.

If I could only find my cut-off jeans...