Reckless Kelly proves classic country is still alive and well on new album
By Phillip Sayblack
Friday, March 19, 2010
Reckless Kelly may not be the most famous country act in the world, but this 5-piece from Austin is easily one of the best country-western bands under the radar. The band’s new album, “Somewhere in Time” is proof positive of that. This is hardly the band’s breakthrough record. That honor would seemingly belong to the band’s previous effort, “Bulletproof.“ Regardless of that, RK has crafted an album in “Somewhere in Time” that is as strong as, if not more solid than, any other more well known country act.
According to the album’s liner notes, this album has been a decade in the making. If that’s the case, then the wait has been well worth it. It is chock full of true classic country-western style songs. It has songs with classic themes such as love gained,love lost, personal hardships, and even family. Perhaps the most interesting of these themes is “I Hold The Bottle, You Hold The Wheel.“ This song is a totally different take on the theme of drinking one’s sorrows away. It’s the same classic theme, just done differently. A more traditional look at that theme is “Everything I Could Do Wrong.“
Another classic country theme is that of personal hardship. This is illustrated wonderfully in “Bird on a Wire.“ Another look at hardship comes in “Some People’s Kids.“ this could be argued as a family based song, too. But considering the line, “With puberty, they paid their dues/the pool hall was the moulin rouge.“ That line probably best sums up the basis of this song.
There’s even a standard cowboy song on the album in “Idaho Cowboy.“ The chorus explains this theme. “‘Cause he’s an Idaho cowboy, no Tennessee plowboy/He’s wild as the Rockies he rides/A cougar in the canyon, the devils own companion/Ridin’ with a fire in his eyes.“
Whether it’s the theme of love, loss, family, or self, Reckless Kelly has covered it in a strong, solid record that will please both fans of Reckless Kelly, and country fans in general. So many people complain that country music isn’t what it used to be. Reckless Kelly has proven that to not be so true with “Somewhere in Time.“ While it may never make this band as big as some other country acts, it will definitely maintain the band’s reputation as one of the best country acts in the world.
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