Live at Stubbs (Reckless, 1998)

At a time when music seems to demand categorization, this Austin-by-way-of-Oregon group is hard to pigeonhole. Are they rock with a fiddle or country with a rock attitude? Maybe a little of both, although they appear to lean toward to rock side of the spectrum, with a sound borrowing heavily from Steve Earle.

This album, an acoustic set, recorded at one of Austin's top music venues, shows this fivesome moving easily between country and rock. Through it all are lyrics that hold your interest and supurb instrumentation. Although the groups leans towards uptempo sounds, it handles ballads equally well with "She Sang the Red River Valley" one of the strongest tracks. Their cover of Bob Dylan's mid-sixties "Subterranean Homesick Blues"is another highlight. The cover of Led Zeppelin's "Whole Lotta Love," however, doesn't make the transition to accoustic all that well.

The music has enough substance to justify repeated listenings. And you may have to listen several times before you decide if it's rock or country. (Call 1-877-RECKLESS).