Combining the best of Jeff Tweedy’s songwriting hooks, Steve Earle’s no nonsense sneer, and X’s punk energy, Hadacol’s debut is a tour de force in ready made insurgent country anthems. From the high energy country-punk growl of “Somebody Lied” to the tight power chord groove and frantic bashing drums of “It’ll Work Out Fine,” this is songwriting that sticks to the ribs and tunes that stick in your head. The straightforward rockabilly of “Messed Up and the rolling piano honky-tonk of “Carry On” clearly recall classic Sun-era recordings. As much as “Rebel Boys” brings to mind Guitar Town-era Steve Earle and “Big Tornado” borrows riffs from Johnny Cash’s “Folsom Prison Blues,” this is a band that can more than stand on its own as a unique entity. For those who like deceptively simple, kick-in-the-pants twangy rock, this is a true must-have. – Matt Fink
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