American Graveyard

Hallelujahland

Dirty South, dirty mouth is American Graveyard’s kind of motto. The local quartet’s debut, 2006’s Rough Around the Edges, was barefoot Texas twang in league with local shit-starters like Honky. Their second LP softens some of those edges and repents (just a little), playing out like a small-town morality play. The title track and “Old Big Mountain” rev the engine as we cross into city limits, and singer/guitarist Chris Watkins’ rueful/soulful voice has a twinge of Reigning Sound’s Greg Cartwright, namely on “Ease Your Mind.” It’s certainly a more somber affair than Rough, and acoustic standout “Odessa” makes you feel that West Texas heat all the way down to the soles of your boots. Alternately, down-on-my-luck follow-up “Fuck” proves they’ve still got a sense of humor that translates off the bar stool, but as a whole Hallelujahland has more promise than piss and vinegar.

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This article appears in August 20 • 2010.

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