Review

The debut LP from Denver's Slim Cessna's Auto Club features the band's original lineup (which included the creepy vocals of Frank Hauser, Jr. among other instrumentation and stylistic differences from later lineups). However, it is this lineup of the band that catalyzed what was mainly a live, regionally-popular cult band into a recording, touring, and vibrant traditional country music outfit. Originally self-released, the folks at Alternative Tentacles have done well to reintroduce the pulpit proseltyzing and Appalachian-tinged yodel 'n' twang of this simultaneously deeply original and deeply reverential album. In between the wistful swing of "Kristen & Billy" to a strange, shuffle-swing version of the traditional gospel song "Wade in the Water" that would make Tom Waits smile, Cessna and company redeem both themselves and old-time, pre-"NashVegas" country with as much energy and originality as their contemporaries in Uncle Tupelo did and with just a touch less fire/brimstone than their fellow Denverites (and past bandmates) Sixteen Horsepower. It is catchy cover to cover, but always reverent to its country roots -- charged with a live energy (and plenty of hoots and hollers) that gives a roadhouse feel and ordered in such a way that it feels like you've just danced, sang, and sweated your way through an evening of whiskey-drinking sin 'n' salvation.