Augie Meyers

Country (El Sendero)

Whatever genre Augie Meyers lays pretense to, his defining Vox Continental organ cuts it eclectically with the classic Tex-Mex sound running rampant through his keys. Country lays its roots in honky-tonk but settles equally at home in the cantina, even brandishing touches of Meyers’ San Antonio R&B. At its core the album cries classic country heartache, wincing with enough steel guitar to scar the hardest cynic as Meyers’ halting, raw vocals drawl loneliness through “I Can’t Believe My Eyes,” “She’s Not You,” and “Just Another Day,” yet the bleeding waltz fiddle of “I’d Be Ashamed” is balanced by the swinging “Hey Sarita” and “Good Chance for Romance.” Between bookenders “Sometimes” and “Going Back to Tijuana” calling up the Texas Tornados, Meyers’ playfulness never rises to the level of 2006’s My Freeholies Ain’t Free Anymore, but “The Pain of Her Leaving” subtly winks the son of San Antone’s knowing spirit.

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This article appears in swine flu.

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Doug Freeman has been writing for the Austin Chronicle since 2007, covering the arts and music scene in the city. He is originally from Virginia and earned his Masters Degree from the University of Texas. He is also co-editor of The Austin Chronicle Music Anthology, published by UT Press.