Weedeater

Southern rocker Wilder never quite achieved the notoriety of such like-minded peers as the Georgia Satellites and Jason and the Scorchers, but for 25 years plus he’s been cranking out his fun brand of roadhouse, roots-y rock’n’roll. This is music made to be heard in a boisterous, bourbon-drenched bar, so the genuine live vibe of this disc (recorded in Birmingham, AL) works great. It’s a virtual best-of collection, featuring such WW faves as "Human Cannonball,” "Tough It Out” and "Sputnik.” Album producer R.S. Field wrote a big chunk of these songs, while such notables as Kevin Welch and Bill Lloyd also surface in the credits. A cover of blues standard "Please Don’t Go” showcases the playing skills of Wilder’s triple-guitar-threat combo, the Beatnecks. Webb’s no smooth vocal stylist but his big-hearted delivery matches his material perfectly. His music comes with grin surgically attached, and if you don’t crack a smile (and a beer) to this, you’re one cold fish.