My Mama Told Me Not To Say That Word

Mile Markers
Bastard Sons of Johnny Cash
(Texacali Records)

"My Mama told me not to say that word..."
-- Tift Merritt, introducing BSOJC at the Lincoln Theatre in Raleigh, Februrary 5th, 2002

I bought the Bastard Sons' first album, Walk Alone, after seeing them live in 2002, opening for Tift Merritt. Live they were rough, raw, and rockin'. They had a similar outlaw sound to that of the Man in Black whose name they borrow. However, their CD wasn't all that rough or biting. It was very slick, polished, like the Mavericks, but missing something. I was expecting their recorded sound to be more like the live sound. Going back and listening to it now, I still like it. It's got a lot of twang, steel guitar, and style. His voice was gruff and low, but silky like whiskey -- which coincidentlly was the cover of their first album. But it's just missing something. Some oomph.... something.

So the first album was pretty good, but it didn't really stand out in a way to keep me listening to it for the years afterward. It was good enough, though, that when I saw their second album, Distance Between, in a used CD bin here in Raleigh, I immediately picked it up. I bought it alright, but I never listened to it. Getting it out tonight, I don't recall any of these songs. I doubt I gave it more than one listen.

But this new album, Mile Markers, is quite a bit different. They've lost any semblance to the outlaw sound of their namesake, but they've fully embraced that sweet Tex-Mex "oasis in the desert" sound. Compare these guys favorably with the Mavericks.

The first two songs on the album are by far the best -- Austin Night is a great Mexicali honkeytonk two-stepper, very smooth, with great Spanish guitar flourishes and steel guitar. It's the best song on the album, followed closely by the second song, The Road to Bakersfield, which gives its namesake a better tribute than this band does theirs. It's all twangy telecaster guitars and nasal singing. Great stuff!

The rest of the album is a mixed bag. There are a few songs I just don't like -- the sickeningly sappy Pride of Abilene, boringly mediocre Lonely Tonight, and the jarringly non-rhythmic lyrics of King of the World. There are a couple of lines that just feel unfinished in that last one.

But then there's plenty to like on this one too. If you're into a Colorado/California almost Railroad-Earth-like jam song, check out California Sky. By all rights I should not like Borderline of the Heart since its lyrics are a bit predictable at times, but damn if that melody and beat aren't catchy. I can't help liking songs where I'm subconcsiously tapping my feet and bouncing my head, try as I might to be the elitist lyric snob. Oh well!

With the rest of the album strong Texas Alt Country with a slight Spanish flair, this is by far the best Bastard Sons of Johnny Cash album to date. I'd recommend you check out the first couple of songs on iTunes, but alas, this new album isn't there yet. So instead I recommend you check out the song snippets on their website. Give em a spin and decide.