Reckless Kelly

Hard-driving Austin roots rockers Reckless Kelly put themselves on the Americana map with '08s Bulletproof, so this follow-up comes with raised expectations. They deliver the goods overall with another no-nonsense, twangy collection that equally emphasizes the Steve Earle-isms of front-man Willy Braun, and the chops of his multi-instrumentalist brother Cody, as well as lead guitarist David Abeyta. If Somewhere In Time accomplishes anything, it's to firmly snub its nose at Nashville acts forced to pander to the suburbanites. Reckless Kelly are a true roadhouse band at heart, as songs like "I Hold The Bottle, You Hold The Wheel" and "I've Done Everything I Could Do Wrong" demonstrate. At the same time, they manage to avoid any redneck stereotypes. Somewhere In Time is about as unpretentious as contemporary country music gets, and any fan of the genre would be wise to take notice.