EP (Self-released, 2010)

Based in Odessa, Texas, Texas country group the Chris Brazeal Band has been receiving some well-deserved attention over their new single, the insanely-catchy-yet-borderline-novelty-track Beer Pong Saturday Night. This song, probably the key track on their six-song, self-titled debut EP, is a perfect example of what is so fun and appealing about the Texas country music scene that has resulted in the success of artists ranging from Pat Green to Miranda Lambert.

Basically, singer-songwriter Brazeal, along with bassist Trevor Buzbee, guitarist T.J. Ballinger and drummer Lilo Hernandez (who joined just after the recording of the EP) are proud of their home state and let it be known on the opener, Only In Texas. Sings Brazeal, "Only in Texas, the sky's so big and blue / Only in Texas do strangers smile and wave at you / Only in Texas can I drink out in a field with my friends / Only in Texas is a Chevy just as cool as a Benz."

Elsewhere, we find Brazeal singing about the joys of being in the Texas capital city on Austin. This is mid-tempo country-rocker that will appeal to fans of Josh Abbott band or Rich O'Toole, who gets a shout-out in this song. Other songs like On My Own, about losing a girlfriend or Two Steppin' are solid songs as well. Closing Time, with a little pedal steel, courtesy of producer Eric McKinney, is a nice touch.

The Chris Brazeal Band may be joining a growing number of Texas bands named after the lead singer, but in the case of CBB, they are representing the Permian Basin scene in a major way. This EP is a keeper.