Micky & the Motorcars

Naive (Smith Entertainment)

With their fourth album, Micky & the Motorcars can hardly claim naivete, but they haven’t progressed much either. As long as the local quintet led by Micky and Gary Braun remains in the same town and works the same sound as fellow Braun brothers Willy and Cody of Reckless Kelly, it’s unlikely to emerge from under the latter’s shadow, and production from Cody and RK guitarist David Abeyta likely doesn’t help. At its best, the group approaches Reckless’ rocking roots, but Micky’s vocals too often lack any real feeling, as with the paradoxically lifeless “Everything I’ve Got” or unconvincing jilted spite of the innocuous title track. Slower tracks “Don’t Be Sad” and, especially, “Seeds” fare better, and “Bloodshot” injects some needed fuel into the veins behind Mickey Raphael’s harmonica, but Jon Dee Graham cover “Twilight” fades in comparison. Familiar fare from a band that should know better by now.

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This article appears in August 1 • 2008.

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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.