R.I.D.E. (Curb, 2005)

The title of their 14-cut third album stands for Rebellious Individuals Delivering Entertainment, and boy howdy, this trio delivers with all the venom of a coiled up rattlesnake. Heidi Newfield Johnson�s throaty vocals turn on a dime from the wink-and-nod �The Bride,� struts through �I Can Live With That� and waltzes through Matraca Berg�s �Stand in the Middle of Texas.�

The trio steps from the safety of the honky tonk as bassist Ira Dean and guitarist Keith Burns contribute the vocals on Los Lonely Boys� �Senorita� and the amped-up �Hillbilly Rich,� a tale of a redneck who hit it big on the lottery.

The assists from country legends Kris Kristofferson and George Jones, and �Maryann�s Song,� the touching tribute to Newfield Johnson�s late mother, reveal a depth not normally associated with a party band line Trick Pony.

While this may Trick Pony�s wildest ride yet, it�s apparent they still appreciate the sunrise too.