When the Byrds reconstituted with Gram Parsons in Nashville to marry hard country with rock & roll in 1968, they named the resultant LP documenting the fusion Sweetheart of the Rodeo. For their similarly titled sophomore effort, Bill and Amanda Ogden and friends have crafted a country disc for those who hang out at Hotel Vegas. Hence a distorted, garage-punk riff shifting into a 4/4 shuffle that would make Buck Owens proud on “Don’t Even Start.” Offering a message of subcultural solidarity atop a Flying Burrito Bros.-style boogie, “Keep Us Separated” injects a sick, fuzz-and-treble-boosted lead guitar heading straight into the Don Rich Telecaster wizardry and Fifties rock & roll of “Tell Me What I Did Wrong.” Then “Just Like We Care” quotes “Buckaroo” in its lead. Recorded just raw enough by Cris Burns to satisfy both Dale Watson and White Stripes fans.

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This article appears in September 16 • 2016.

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Tim Stegall contributed to The Austin Chronicle 1991-1995, and was a staff writer 1995-1997. He returned as a contributor in 2013. He has also freelanced for publications ranging from Flipside to Alternative Press to Guitar World. He plays punk rock guitar and sings in the Hormones.