Noise and Conversation (Plowhandle, 2004)

Seekers of that good ol' country-rock sound that seemed to disappear with Gram Parsons' untimely death might look to Buffalo Nickel, a Mississippi-based band releasing their second CD.

Rather than fill the air with meaningless buzz and chatter, the band instead pumps out songs that might not seem out of place on "Sweetheart of the Rodeo" or "Burrito Deluxe." Songs such as "Find Me a Crowd" and "Can't Say Anything" evoke the same jug-band sincerity as early Parsons favorites such as "Streets of Baltimore" or "We'll Sweep Out The Ashes In The Morning."

The only noise here is that of honking slide guitar and sweet vocal harmonies that cry out for companionship and recognition. "I'll just wait for this room to fill up with you," read the lyrics on "Bachelor Song." You might take a similar attitude with this album. (P.O. Box 1151, Madison, MS 39130-1151, 601.906.4043, steve@plowhandle.com)