Guitarist Don Cento has been a subtle mover and shaker in the Austin scene for years, producing or performing with everyone from Jerry DeCicca and Sarah Jaffe to Little Jack Melody and Ume – not to mention his own bands El Cento and Shibboleth. With experience in power pop, jazz, and Americana, Cento whips it all into Halfway to Mellowtown, the debut of Cento Threeo. Carefully crafted, whimsically relaxed, and somehow both raw and smooth, the record almost casually checks boxes for both melody and spontaneity. “Dennis Muren,” for example, merges light funk with roots rock, Cento’s casual improvisations nudging the tune away from traditionalism. The bluesy “Filibuster in E Minor” glares and rumbles via drummer Norm Bergeron’s controlled explosions and Cento’s brooding twang, while “No Fleas, Please” swings especially jazzy, aided by bassist Phil Spencer’s groovy solo. Though bespeaking a tale of rough riders and angry equines, “Horse-Breaking Hector” mellows out with far-reaching guitar lines and a gentle shuffle. Rife with inclusive hooks and dry atmosphere, the title track feels like the opening music to a less intense, more fun version of Yellowstone. Cento ends the record with a straightforward cover of Rosanne Cash’s “Seven Year Ache,” adding a dash of sincerity to the trio’s acute professionalism and sneering good taste.
This article appears in July 3 • 2026.
