Backseat Molly - Texas Not
Tennessee
Review By: George
Peden, CSO Staff Journalist
6/3/10
The
five-piece band Backseat Molly sum it up in the title cut to
their debut album. Texas Not Tennessee is more an
intended defiance than an album name. These spirited, youthful
rockers have set their bullseye aim on home state popularity.
And it’s working.
The title cut is doing
good business on local radio, and the album is finding favor
with sections of the international market. These guys play and
pump industrial twang, loud and hard, unafraid to push the often
blurred boundaries of what is pop and what is country. With a
lead vocalist who does not shy his responsibilities, a fiddle
player who stokes the needed fire and a raft of guitars that can
cut deep, along with a working set of songs that will not leave
you alone, the band is energetic and exciting.
The creation of lead
singer Steven Callaway, the band has been together in this form
since early 2009. Their sound, liken it to Bon Jovi with
fiddles, comes complete with lead guitarist Stevie Jeminez,
drummer Tim Phelan, bass player Kory Prince and David Sanders on
fiddle. Self-managed and independent, the group play mainly band
written songs, with Callaway the main force.
And there’s no doubting,
given exposure, time and opportunity Callaway could make a fine
songwriter. He’s penned seven of the ten songs here, as well as
bringing them to life as one of the album’s producers. He has
the blend right – there’s not a dud in the pack, with all songs
easily lending themselves to repeated plays. And that’s always
the sign of a good tune.
These guys from around
Palestine, TX must be exciting live because they sound charged
and fired on disc. Tracks like the hard rocked “Texas Not
Tennessee,” with its full tilt guitars and hard pounded drums
sets the tempo for an album that is more party than sentiment.
However, for those who
crave tears and remorse, there are a couple of standout
heartaches. “Ask Me While I’m Drinkin’ asks for conversation
liberated by pale ale, while “Love Song” is a fiddle drenched
ache and “I Do Too” is a lovin’ and leavin’ tale of regret.
Overall, this is a
standout debut.
The album is available
now from their web site:
www.myspace.com/backseatmollymusic
