The Mother Truckers - Broke Not Broken (2007)

The Mother Truckers took five years to record a followup to their debut CD, Something Worth Dying For, and that is a very long time between releases for any band trying to hit the big time. I don't know The Truckers back story so I have no idea why there was such a long wait before their sophomore effort, Broke Not Broken, saw the light of day. Nevertheless, the Austin, TX based country-rockers have turned out another album of great songs that their loyal fans will be certain to cruise to in their pickup trucks or party with on a Saturday night.

Gone are the small unedited musical snippets and patter between tracks that gave Something Worth Dying For a looser feel. The new disc is more meticulously produced than their debut and the tighter arrangements make it a more mature set of songs. The band's website describes The Mother Truckers as "a kick-ass rock 'n' roll band" but there are still enough pedal steels and dobros in their music, as well as a strong dose of Texas and the deep South in their lyrics, to brand them as a country band too. One of the two founding Truckers, lead guitarist Josh Zee, unleashes some very non-country, flaming throwing, rock 'n roll solos. He is the "kick-ass" member of the band.

Teal Collins can easily sing rock, country, ballads, or screamers. Broke Not Broken's best track is a cover of the Bonnie Raitt/Chris Smither classic "Love Me Like A Man" in which she shows off every vocal trick she owns. There is nothing country about this arrangement. It's just a straight ahead blues in which both she and Zee give inspired performances. The rest of the CD was written by Collins and Zee together.

Apparently we won't have to wait another five years for their next CD because a new one is slated for release later this year.

The Mother Truckers are even better live. They are a must see if you ever make it to Austin.

Comments

  1. LOVE this band. so musical, so fresh, and so FUN.

    i get to see them in cleveland oh next month and i am counting the seconds!

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  2. On your recommendation I caught them live in Austin during SXSW last month. They were great, thanks Charlie!

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