NASHVILLE PUSSY

NASHVILLE PUSSY can do no wrong in my book. They've got all the right ingredients that a standout rock 'n roll band needs: a bluesy foundation and gnarly riffs, catchy songwriting, sweat-stained and whiskey-soaked lyrics, and a couple of bad-ass ladies that bring the noise with a swagger and a gleam in the eyes. Just watch the band's "Live! In Hollywood!" DVD and you'll quickly realize what a religious rock 'n roll experience is all about. Now on to their third label in as many albums, NASHVILLE PUSSY has crafted what may be their most well-rounded long-player yet, one that retains all the grit 'n grime that you've come to expect, while kicking the songwriting up a notch.

Is "From Hell to Texas" NASHVILLE PUSSY's best album? Well, it's tough to beat a catalogue that boasts classics like "I'm Gonna Hitchhike Down to Cincinnati and Kick the Shit out of your Drunk Daddy", "Good Night for a Heartattack", "Say Something Nasty", and "Hate and Whiskey", but it just may work as the best complete album. While I found "Get Some" to be another good effort, I didn't enjoy it as much as "Say Something Nasty". "From Hell to Texas" is better than the former and at least on par with the latter.

Recorded at Willie Nelson's Pedernales Studio in Texas "on the same two-inch tape machine which Willie himself used to cut all his legendary albums", the sound of "From Hell to Texas" is the warmest, most organic of the bunch. That vintage feeling also has something to do with a style that leans more heavily toward classic '70s rock. The vibe is most notably apparent on the vocals and riffs on the chorus of "Drunk Driving Man", one of a handful of highlights that also includes one of the best songs NASHVILLE PUSSY has ever recorded, "I'm so High". The cut is an ode to the art of zoning out with clever lyrics and a chorus of "I'm so high, I gotta look down to see the sky". These two tracks and a handful of others also include backing vocals from bassist Karen Cuda and guitarist Ruyter Suys that have them singing in their natural female voices. It truly adds flavor to the compositions. A command of nuance is clearly present on the album, whether the backing vocals on the title track that are reminiscent of THE RUNAWAYS, or Suys' most heartfelt soloing to date on a variety of tracks. By the way, I could almost swear she lifted — in the way of tribute, not rip-off – a piece of the guitar solo during "I'm so High" from TED NUGENT's "Great White Buffalo".

Finally, the lyrics of guitarist and snotty/gritty vocalist Blaine Cartwright are once again witty and comedic as hell. The shuffling "Lazy Jesus" (complete with harmonica) takes the cake, as he lampoons the real life of Jesus Christ, and it's of course all in good fun. He doesn't just sing, he tells stories, like his run-in with a state trooper during "Ain't Your Business" and his tale about a certain lady that was "flatter than a pancake, but nowhere near as sweet" on "Why Why Why". So then, the short of it is that "From Hell to Texas" is a friggin' rock 'n roll blast.