Album Review – Bob Wayne’s “Outlaw Carnie”
The first thing you need to appreciate about Outlaw Carnie is that it is country. Forget that it’s on a metal label, and that Hank III’s name is being put out there for context. There’s no fusing of metal and country here. There’s no sludgy BC Rich or Flying V guitars, no screamo, cookie monster lyrics. There’s banjo, fiddle, dobro, upright bass, brushes on snare, if there’s any drums at all. A third of these songs don’t have any electrified instruments whatsoever. This isn’t today’s country, this isn’t even your daddy’s country. This is your grand daddy’s country, and if it’s close to Hank III, it’s the Hank III circa 2000-2005, not 2008-present.
The lyrics are where one might say there is a “metal” or “punk” approach, but this is just on some of the songs, and even then, these songs don’t stray too far from what you might hear from Johnny Cash, Johnny Paycheck, or David Allan Coe. The album cracks open with a solitary banjo from Daniel Mason (Hank III), and the second song opens with the fiddle of Billy Contreras, leaving no doubt this is a country project. There is no lip service paid to metal fans or anybody else to assuage you that country can rock. On Outlaw Carnie, Bob puts his country songs out there with a bold “take it or leave it” attitude.
I don’t envy Bob and producer/engineer Andy Gibson (Hank III steel player, too many other accolades to list) for taking on the task of trying to one-up songs that many core Bob Wayne fans have come accustomed to the original versions of. Only a handful of the tracks are totally new to the world. And honestly, the talk of, “Ah, we cut those old versions quickly in the back of the motorhome and sold them in Ziploc bags” made me bristle. I happen to like those home spun recordings, and home spun recordings in general. One could even make the case that the underground country movement was created from the interface of artists and technology that allowed them to record DIY. The heart of the song is what I’m after. I guess a good recording is better than a bad recording, but make sure you mine the heart of the song above all. The rest is aesthetics.
Without question, the new versions of the songs are much more full, much cleaner and polished, fleshed out and thought out. If you listen to the new version and then the old one right after, you get a similar effect of looking through a dirty windshield vs. a clean one. But this is dangerous territory. It’s not unusual for me to use the term “polished” as a negative thing, but I have to say, overall, the new versions are better. Much better. And what is remarkable is it’s the same artist, same engineer, and some of the same players of the older versions. I think this is what gave Bob Wayne an advantage. Put him in an antiseptic studio with a bunch of strangers and we may of watched these songs die before our very eyes. Put him in Andy Gibson’s house with Andy Gibson calling the shots, and they thrived. Andy knows these songs. He recorded them the first time, he’s played them live out on the road. He knows where they need to be, and the proof is in the finished product.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: Bob Wayne may be the best pure songwriter of our generation. But you have to listen. I know that sounds obvious, but the key to appreciating Bob’s music is taking the time to listen to it. There’s two versions of Bob Wayne: the rowdy version, and the introspective version. If you just take a whiff of his music, you’ll probably end up in the “meh” camp who just heard one of his rowdy songs and thought he was hokey. I’ll put the songwriting of “Blood to Dust” and “Reptile” up against any. “Estacata” is a track easy to overlook, but illustrates that Bob is not only good, but versatile and multi-dimensional as a songwriter. Where most of his songs deal in stark language with a bellicose approach, “Estacata” proves he can work in subtleties and deep soul as well. Even a song like “Road Bound” might be mistaken as simply a rowdy ego trip, but lyrics like “All my friends are family, my family is my life,” prove Bob can work in depth no matter the context.
Bob is a storyteller. Whether the story is totally true, like in “Blood to Dust,” or fictitious like in “Work of the Devil,” he has a confident knack of being able to create characters, make you care about them, and then have them do all manner of crazy things, and usually in less than five minutes. Don’t let the “meth snorting, running from the cops” lyrics or the aviator sunglasses and bandanna cloud your judgment. What is going on here is on the Robert Earl Keen, Kris Kristofferson level of songwriting. Yes, Bob has many more skins to hang on the wall to keep that company, but in his short sample, this is the caliber of the quality.
I’ll be honest with you. I’ve always been more for the deep Bob Wayne songs than the devilish ones, and on the whole, the middle child of his three independent releases 13 Truckin’ Songs was my least favorite. But man, this version of “Mack” made me understand what he was getting at with this song, and may have even risen my estimation of all his rowdy songs by proxy. “Everything’s Legal in Alabama” is a silly song, but clever and engaging nonetheless. And how cool is it that Wayne “The Train” Hancock lent his name to this song and this project, and that it was co-written by Derek Dunn of the .357 String Band, once again highlighting the influence of that band that once backed Bob on a full tour.
The Bob Wayne naysayers are really going to hate me for this one, but I think Bob understands good and evil and the relationship between them from a heightened level, in many ways like Johnny Cash did, who Bob gives some credit to for helping save his life. The Cash-esque song “Reptile” is probably the easiest example of this, but God is not referenced in this album just to be damned, but is given credit, for saving his life, or having a master plan, or allowing him to move on from previous sins. A song like “Driven by Demons” marks the antithesis maybe, but that is where Bob resides, somewhere in the struggle between good and evil. He’s a felon and a drug addict, a former drug addict that is. He’s sober now, but willing to sack anything with a heartbeat. Good and evil wrestle for his soul, and the souls of the characters he creates, and this is what makes the Bob Wayne musical perspective so original, insightful, and entertaining.
One thing that drove me a little crazy was it felt like Bob was over-singing at times. Maybe this is a symptom of my brain bending to the worn, comfortable grooves of the older song versions, or maybe a symptom of Bob trying to outperform the old and occasionally over-emphasizing, but if this is the case, this may be the singular place where old vs. new came into play. I’ve never been much for compilation or tribute albums because the first version of a song that I hear is usually to one I like best; it fits like a broken-in pair of boots and the offshoots usually just feel weird. But I was surprised how quickly I latched onto these new versions and wonder now if I could go back. This also speaks to all the great players Bob assembled to flesh these songs out.
From a behind-the-scenes standpoint, this is a very important album. As former and current metal kids flock to these type of hard country bands that are filling the vacuum that Nashville’s pop approach has left in the heart of America for authentic country music, and meanwhile the music industry is going through uncharted contraction and reorganization, how this album is received according to many different parameters might spell how labels and artists proceed for years to come. I’ve seen the comments of metalheads whining that this project found its way on to their beloved Century Media. In some respects I can’t blame them–we fight for purity around here too. But the key to Bob Wayne is you must listen, I can’t emphasize this enough. It’s not metal; no need to be a master of the obvious. The question is, is it good?
I would assert that Outlaw Carnie is better than good. It is great, and worthy of affording Bob Wayne the much wider audience that his music deserves.
Two guns up!
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Preview Tracks & Purchase Outlaw Carnie from Amazon
Also, to fully understand Bob Wayne, you have to let yourself succumb to his sense of humor.
bill
January 30, 2011 @ 11:01 am
Thanks a bunch, Triggerman. This is the review that I’ve been waiting for out of you, and as usual, you never disappoint. This is an early contender for album of year. I can’t stop spinning it.
The Triggerman
January 30, 2011 @ 11:24 am
Love the album, and I know at the end of the year I’m going to have a tough decision to make. Can you have an “Album of the Year” that includes previously released material?
Kay
February 1, 2011 @ 1:51 pm
Triggerman, you amaze me. I can’t keep up with all the reviews. Bob Wayne is a lot of fun listening. I’m not real fond of his voice…………he can sing for sure but currently, I have this great big gigantic crush on Dale Watson’s voice. Since I was introduced to his music a while back on your forum. I tend to prefer both male and female voices with a lower more mellow timbre. That’s just me. Bob definitely is entertaining.
Thatbastardcoondog
January 30, 2011 @ 11:09 am
Spot on triggerman. Does anyone know how his record sales are doing with this album? I was disappointed that I couldn’t buy this albu locally and I had to resort to iTunes for now but I am curious to know how it’s doing.
The Triggerman
January 30, 2011 @ 11:29 am
Sales stuff usually comes out a week late, so we may hear something next week about how it’s doing. I do know Century Media distributes nation wide and I have seen a few people remark that they have seen it in record stores, but some may not carry it. Music distribution is in such flux, it is so hard to pin down anything anymore. I will try to find out if it will be in Best Buy or Target or something like that for people who want the physical copy but can’t find it at their mom and pop.
Just noticed that the CD on Amazon has an alternative cover:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004DKUTJU?ie=UTF8&tag=wwwsavingcoun-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B004DKUTJU
Derek P
January 30, 2011 @ 11:53 am
Great review, I was also a little worried when I saw most of the songs were redone for this album. But from the second I pressed play, my ears couldn’t have been happier.
Benny
January 30, 2011 @ 12:05 pm
He is on tour in Europe now and I saw him twice last week here in Berlin – he pulls of a great show. Also got the album there and really pleased by it, expected he was all about hellraising and drinking and stuff like that, but like you I appreciate his deeper side too. Here, the album is published by People Like You Records by the way, a Punk label (and also has the ‘alternate cover’ as well as a vinyl version)..
The Triggerman
January 30, 2011 @ 1:22 pm
Vinyl? I hope we get a taste of that over here!
Burch
January 30, 2011 @ 1:39 pm
CM Distro lists a limited vinyl version that’s presently out of stock. It’s probably not released yet, though I’m totally guessing on that. They also list a 7″ inch split with him and Exodus coming out in March. Rather funny pairing, that.
NLindsay
January 30, 2011 @ 2:59 pm
Jack, the bass player from Exodus has a fun side project called Coffin Hunter. Kind of country in the vein of Jerry Reed type storytelling. And he’s a big Bob Wayne fan.
http://www.myspace.com/coffinhuntercountry
heinrich
January 30, 2011 @ 12:13 pm
bob wayne fucking rules……fuckin great guy too…..in fact hes at my house right now on his way to hamburg…..in fact hes using my computer right now…….in fact this is actualy bob wayne!!! hahahah thnks heinrich
heinrich
January 30, 2011 @ 12:57 pm
looks like i should log out, before i invite some carnies into my house…
Burch
January 30, 2011 @ 12:35 pm
I was wondering what was up with all the re-recorded songs on this. That’s usually something I avoid but in Bob’s case I’ll still pick the record up.
I am quite curious what Century Media’s motivations are. I wonder if they’ve just picked up Bob because he was available and is also good friends with one of their long time bands or if they have any ambitions of making a larger foray into country and associated acts. I’m not surprised they made the move, of any of the established metal labels they were the first one I thought of as perhaps being interested in getting into the country scene.
The complaints from a select group of metalheads should be taken with a grain of salt – over the past several years most labels, especially CM, get sprinkled with complaints when a particular band isn’t to a small-minded fan’s exact tastes. And that’s with bands that fall squarely within the metal genre, so of course a few people are going to have fits about a country artist on the label. Most of the people I know aren’t concerned in the least about it.
The Triggerman
January 30, 2011 @ 1:12 pm
I can’t speak for Century Media, but I think it was probably a combination of Bob having friends on the inside, and the idea that they may have to make a move into country to survive. Take for example the latest sales #’s broken down by genre that I highlighted in this article:
https://www.savingcountrymusic.com/the-future-of-music-the-mono-genre-micro-genres
Rock & Metal were down 16% while country stayed stable. It is not unrealistic to think that in the future country acts could help keep the metal acts on the label afloat. But a TON of this depends on how this album sells, and other factors.
When I interviewed Bob a few months back, I asked him if he thought Century was making a move to country:
https://www.savingcountrymusic.com/interview-w-bob-wayne-the-outlaw-carnie
Triggerman: Country is sort of the new metal, and bluegrass is kind of the new punk in a lot of ways, and I think it”™s really proactive and smart for Century to be trying to pursue this avenue.
Bob Wayne: They”™re going to see how my record goes I think, and if it does real good, they”™ll be doing more.
Jahshie P.
January 30, 2011 @ 12:41 pm
Great album. Unlike “Piss and Vinegar”, I think Bob found a way to re-record his old material to better the songs.
The Triggerman
January 30, 2011 @ 1:22 pm
You could make comparisons to both these albums all over the place. Both started out with Century Media, both include old songs from older projects, both came out near the same time, both artists have Hank III to thank for a lot of their popularity. I’m kind of surprised I didn’t put any comparisons in the review, but sometimes this is not fair to either project. I would agree that I like the new Bob Wayne versions better than the new Joe Buck, but the styles and approach are so different in many ways, I don’t know if this is fair. Bob is trying to do a pretty standard country thing. Joe Buck is punk. Bob brought in All-Star players. Joe played everything himself with an all-star producer. Because of the nature of Joe Buck’s songs, they were almost bound to not sound as good as the originals, but that doesn’t mean they won’t sound even better to a fresh ear.
Aran
January 30, 2011 @ 2:41 pm
I like this album, been listening to it for the past week. I think the newer versions of the slower songs are all better, and the faster songs have been growing on me. And despite it’s more “polished” feel (this is a Bob Wayne record after all), it still has that trademark Andy Gibson sound that I love so much! Anyone who enjoyed Bob Wayne’s earlier releases will not be disappointed by this one.
Denise
January 30, 2011 @ 6:59 pm
Intriguing write up and review. You broke it down and spun it around. I like the album alot, #3 is a good song, I thought it sounded like Hank III, and very pleased to see the collaberations with Daniel Mason, Andy Gibbs and Derek Dunn. It is very difficult to take already recorded songs and make them even better. Kudos to Bob for being able to do that.
I think it’s suit city, Bob.
Ga. Outlaw
January 30, 2011 @ 8:15 pm
I’m about to loose a lot of friends on here, but I can’t keep my mouth shut anymore. First I want to apolagize to The Triggerman because after reading the first line of his review I quit reading & went to the link to preview the tracks & unfortunatly I found this album to be just what I thought it would be so let me ask some questions that have been troubling me about this music we love so much (not just this album but almost every album by almost every artist talked about on this site).
1) Why does every album have to have a song about meth?
2) Why does every album have to have a song about weed?
3) If this is about bringing country back to it’s roots then why does every album have to have a song about the devil but very few have songs about God?
4) Did Charlie Louvin know what hank III did with Satan Is Real?
I don’t want to come off as a Jesus freak, but I am a christian & a country music fan. It just seems that good country music has turned it’s back on God. The 2 legends that are talked about the most as being influances are Hank Williams Sr. & Johnny Cash. Look how many gospel songs each of them sung. Johnny Cash refused to record the song Imagin by John Lennon only because of the line “Imagin there’s no Heaven. Of all the great albums that came out last year I can count on one hand how many had songs about God. It would take weeks using a calculator count the songs about the devil. I understand not everybody believes in God but if your gonna sing the praises of Satan then you must believe in him & you can’t have one without the other.
IceColdCountry
January 30, 2011 @ 8:29 pm
I agree with your points. I have kind of wonder why so many of the celebrated bands on here seem like “underground, death/devil metal music” and just some how have called themselves country or whatever this site supports.
I bought the album out of sure excitement reading this article half way through. Thinking, holy shit, maybe Bob has really done something here.
And to compare this to the names in the article leaves me dumbfounded. Maybe just dumb.
But I will say this sounds much more country than the majority of death metal country mentioned on here.
The Triggerman
January 30, 2011 @ 9:57 pm
Death metal country? What are you taking about? IceCold, in the short time you have been here, you have a long history of taking one article and acting like that is all I write about, and that I have this myopic approach. I’m not saying that there aren’t some artists I cover that may fall into your “Death Metal country” category, but it is not even close to near the majority or focus, or even the norm.
Look at my album of the year candidates. Look at my Albums of the Decade list. How much of that is death metal country? 1 out of 14 albums, maybe? And really you could only say that was half the album, or even really less than that.
Just look at the main page right now and the names on it. Charlie Louvin, Hank Williams, Rachel Brooke, Wayne Hancock, Sunday Valley, Wanda Jackson. Are these artists “Death Metal Country?” The two I would say you might be talking about are Joe Buck and Hank III, and except for a Joe Buck album review a few weeks back, I really haven’t remarked on their music in months. It is not fair to pick out one out of every fifteen blogs and say that is all I ever talk about. Take a step back. Look at the big picture. In fact I thought all I ever did was bash pop country, and need to focus more on promoting the good stuff. That’s what you accused me of a few days ago. So which one is it?
The Triggerman
January 30, 2011 @ 9:28 pm
Ga. Outlaw,
I think you raise some good concerns.
1 & 2 & 3) I think this is a valid point, and more of a sign of the times with this music than a current trend. Hank III created an underground movement of country when he released Straight to Hell and for better or worse, it created a bunch of copy cats who have run the drug references into the ground. This is something I’m not fond of either, but I also think is something on the wane, and dramatically so. One reason this album has these references is because many of these songs were written 3-5 years ago, and so they are kind of throwbacks to the over-drugged era. But go listen through Johnny Cash’s catalog, and hear songs like “Cocaine Blues,” “Never Picked Cotton” “Folsom Prison,” and many many more. This is the nexus between good and evil that Cash explored and Bob Wayne does too. It doesn’t mean that Bob and Johnny condone cocaine use or murder, they are just singing about real world issues. Bob Wayne is a completely sober guy.
4) The story I know about the “Satan Is Real” part is that Hank III did that as a tribute to Charlie. When Hank III first signed with Curb, they dressed him in a Nudie suit and shipped him to Branson, Missouri to cut his teeth in country. III found resistance from some of the acts, that wouldn’t let him play with them because of his metal past, and because they thought maybe he was riding off his name. One of the people that gave him a break was Charlie Louvin. This was III’s way of showing respect to Charlie, and from what I know, Charlie had to give permission to use the cut.
As I referenced in the review, I actually thing God is interpreted in a pretty positive manner in this album. “Something happened, ain’t sure what it was, the best I can figure it was the Lord up above.” “Somehow I’ve come to understand, that the good Lord has a master plan.” As far as I know Bob Wayne is a Christian, or at least, he believes in God. Or at least, he has a solemn respect for the religious elements of life.
Ga. Outlaw
January 30, 2011 @ 9:59 pm
Thanks Triggerman. I’ve only heard the amazon previews. The lryrics you quoted sound very different. Maybe amazon’s to blame for my rant. All I heard on the previews were songs about meth, being driven by demons & songs about satan. everything else all I could hear was cussin witch I can understand some cussin in songs & I hate cinsorship but every preview on amzon seemed to be full of cussin. I love Johnny Cash’s Cocain Blues, but back then songs like that were few & far between & almost every album had a gospel song on it. It seems to me that has reversed. I hope your right & the whole drug thing is calming down.
The Triggerman
January 30, 2011 @ 10:15 pm
Don’t get me wrong man, there is a LOT of that kind of subject matter in this album. And like I said in the review, I do not like the rowdy songs as much as the introspective ones. I do not like “Driven by Demons,” either version. I think it’s kind of a hokey song. But I’m not going to allow my distaste for one or two of his songs to keep me from enjoying the other GREAT ones the album? I’m not.
I think it is easy, and maybe even commonplace to focus in on his rowdy songs like IceCold focuses on one or two things I may talk about as the whole focus of this website.. This is a VERY common theme with Bob Wayne, and why I framed my review like I did. He’s not for everyone. Bob will tell you that. But i appreciate and enjoy his music.
The Triggerman
January 30, 2011 @ 11:25 pm
To further the point, Bob has a song called “27 Years.” It is my favorite song of his, even more than “Blood to Dust.” If someone had asked me, I wouldn’t have touched the song selection or order, but I would have swapped “Driven by Demons” for this one, and it would have put some of the Bob Wayne criticism to bed. It has a lot of Jesus imagery in it. It is about Bob coming clean. It is a really deep song. His fiddle player Liz Sloan says it was the song that sold her on Bob Wayne, and helped her understand what he’s all about.
The recorded version is probably the best way to apprach the song, but this video is a good take from frequent commenter here Misfit Radio:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IqBOwz0QRk4
Ga. Outlaw
January 31, 2011 @ 6:10 am
Between the lyrics you quoted & that video you have convinced me to give him another chance. I’ll buy the album. The video hit very close to home. I wish it was included in the album.
Denise
January 31, 2011 @ 5:43 pm
Absolutely you cannot believe in Satan and not believe in God. Impossible and if you try to explain it you will come through confused. Worshipping is another story. And if you worship the Lord, you’ll know that even though Satan is lurking, you don’t have to pay attention to him. Nothing is greater than God, Ga Outlaw, not evil, no, It’s a fact.
IceColdCountry
January 30, 2011 @ 8:23 pm
I wasn’t a Bob fan prior to this, and with the hype for this album, and then the video explaining the album, and then this review, I went into this open minded. Wide open.
Trigger, I took your advice and really listened. Several times.
I agree this is a country album, no doubt. Some nice musical work on it.
Everyone has opinions, but how you draw comparisons and similarities or potential to the other names in this blog, I do not know. Robert Earl Keen, Kristofferson, and it doesn’t stop there, Cash, Paycheck, Coe????? I must have bought the wrong album.
This is polished up Bob Wayne, but the same dozen plus songs of him reminding us that he is a bad ass and road warrior. Sure he stripped out the punk metal edge, but come on, is a comedy/parody album?
Story teller? I guess, but the stories are like children’s stories compared to the names you mentioned in this article.
Humble opinoin here, but the lyrics are not that deep, nor very clever. ” “All my friends are family, my family is my life,” prove Bob can work in depth no matter the context.”
Are you serious? That is depth? Even in the full context of the song, that isn’t the deep end of the pool.
Reptile- has a Cash beat to it, but why did Bob feel the need to try and sound like a Cash impersonator?
Love Songs Suck- how elementary can this be?
Everything’s Legal in Alabama- I caught myself singing the lyrics of Charlie Daniels “The South’s Gonna Do It Again.”
Blood to Dust- his life story perhaps, but see also DAC- “If that Aint Country”
Driven by Deamons- actually I like this one of all his tunes. Clever hook.
Honestly, it is a album of some country tunes just reminding us how bad ass Bob is, and the other tunes, I can’t tell if this guy is serious or like a Saturday Night Live skit. Some songs are thrown together as if they are just to make fun of country music.
Sorry, maybe I am not listening enough or “don’t get” Bob, but I have tried for years, and don’t hear it.
He might make some good story songs, but statements like, “I”™ve said it before and I”™ll say it again: Bob Wayne may be the best pure songwriter of our generation.”
Wow, I question a lot of things now.
The Triggerman
January 30, 2011 @ 9:43 pm
First off, I never feel good when I recommend an album to someone and they don’t like it. But this is a review with my thoughts of the album, and it should be taken as that. Not everybody is going to agree with my music tastes 100%. You have bashed Bob here before, and even admit in your comment “don”™t get” Bob, but I have tried for years, and don”™t hear it. That’s fine man, Bob Wayne and many other artists are not for everyone. You’re not expected to like it. Its fine to disagree with me, but don’t act like it is being forced down your throat.
I did not compare him to Cash, Paycheck, and Coe, I said the lyrical content is not far off from what you might hear from them. He did NOT strip the punk/metal edge for this “polished” album, because the punk/metal edge NEVER existed in his music from a sonic standpoint, EVER. This isn’t a change from his previous releases. Bob NEVER was a punk/metal fusion guy, that is why I started the album review off as I did to emphasize this often misguided point.
“Blood to Dust” is like DAC’s “If That Ain’t Country”? You were making some fair points about his songs up to that, and then you proved you’re just trying to reduce him because he doesn’t fit your personal taste. Saying, “just not my speed,” is perfectly acceptable. Or even criticizing his songs with specific points. But don’t try to act like I’m trying to Svengali everyone here. I gave my honest thoughts on the album, good and bad, and stand behind it 100%.
IceColdCountry
January 31, 2011 @ 2:08 pm
I would expect you to stand by the review 100%. I just was a bit taken back with the accolades in the review given this is Bob’s first big release, half the songs are not new, and the overall message doesn’t sound all that different from what I have heard from him in the past. Just cleaned up a bit.
He is not my speed, and I should have said that. But just as you feel passionate about when Trace does some nonsense song passed off as country, I get a bit worked up when an album like this is referenced with some of the names you mentioned.
If someone asked me what type of music Bob Wayne makes, I would say it is country, and it kind of sounds like spoof stories. It would never cross my mind to say he is in the mold/cut from the cloth of Cash, DAC, Paycheck, Keen…not now that is for sure.
The Triggerman
January 31, 2011 @ 3:34 pm
QUOTE: “The lyrics are where one might say there is a “metal” or “punk” approach, but this is just on some of the songs, and even then, these songs don”™t stray too far from what you might hear from Johnny Cash, Johnny Paycheck, or David Allan Coe.
In no way is this comparing Bob Wayne to the impact, success, or influence of these three people’s careers. And this statement was made in the context of explaining that even though he is on a metal label, and gets misunderstood as “death metal country” or whatever else, that his music and lyrical content is classically country.
QUOTE: “What is going on here is on the Robert Earl Keen, Kris Kristofferson level of songwriting. Yes, Bob has many more skins to hang on the wall to keep that company, but in his short sample, this is the caliber of the quality.”
You are not reading, and my guess is, you are not listening either. You are hearing certain things and reacting. This is a failure MANY people make with Bob’s music.
IceColdCountry
January 31, 2011 @ 4:55 pm
Sorry, I guess I am just not “listening” or “reading”. I guess cause I disagree with you, I must not being doing those two things.
QUOTE: “What is going on here is on the Robert Earl Keen, Kris Kristofferson level of songwriting. Yes, Bob has many more skins to hang on the wall to keep that company, but in his short sample, this is the caliber of the quality.”
How is that quote, or your other one… how is that NOT tying this album and drawing comparisons and similarities or potential to those legends?
I am not reading or listening??? Excuse me, I just don’t drool over this self proclaimed bad ass artist like you did in this review. Perhaps your blinded a bit because he is buddies with your idol.
Denise
January 31, 2011 @ 1:23 pm
Let’s see Ice Cold,
You think Bob Wayne’s “Love Songs Suck” because it”s elementary, and yet, Honky Tonk Ba blah blah blah was just the tip of the iceberg in JJ’s career? As a self-precribed loving forte for the lovesongs (that’s meaning I like them) Love Songs Suck just might stick. I think it’s rockin’.
IceColdCountry
January 31, 2011 @ 1:54 pm
Hi Denise,
I am not sure how bodonkadonk matters here? I guess if you admit to being a Jamey Johnson fan within this site, certain folks can’t let it go.
I was making a counter point to Triggermans review about the story telling of Bob. Along with other songs, I think, “Love Songs Suck” is pretty elementary. It might be catchy, but again it is Bob reminding us how much of a “rambler” he is.
Just to comment on your bodonkadonk mention, that wasn’t the tip of the ice berg for anyone. It was a song that was a joke. It isn’t near mixing hiphop and country, it is taking a slang term (albeit hiphop in nature) and making fun of it in a country song. I would argue the lyrics are much more clever than “Love Songs Suck”.
Denise
January 31, 2011 @ 5:52 pm
I’ll have to disagree Ice Cold
Bob Wayne’s album is polished truth that is more substantial in the first note in the first track than the whole compostition of the Jamey Johnson classic hit Honkey Tonk Ba Donk a Donk. Dobro is all I’m gonna say. Oh, that and Andy Gibson knows what he’s doing. And it shows.
Scott
January 30, 2011 @ 9:02 pm
I will be picking this up from the closest record store (Long Ear in CDA!) when I next make it to town… Heard the preview on Amazon and dug it a little and then heard through the grapevine from a fellow 3 fan that it is good. Unlike so many people on this website, I like it when Metal is influential on country. I also like it when it isn’t… What I don’t care for is when radio rock influence is found in country. Basically because Slayer is awesome and Bon Jovi sucks ass.
The Triggerman
January 30, 2011 @ 10:18 pm
Ha! So IceCold is accusing me and my readers of having a myopic focus on “death metal country,” but as you point out, “so many people” on this website like to keep the lines a little more drawn.
I like the punk and metal approach to country, when it is done right.
Scott
January 31, 2011 @ 1:11 am
“…when it’s done right.” Amen.
Jahshie P.
January 31, 2011 @ 7:31 am
what the fuck is death metal country? I don’t think it is possible to have that type of music. Ice Cold- Do you even know what Death metal is?
There is not a single artist out there that can even be remotely considered “Death Metal” discussed on this site.
Fleshgrind, Bound and Gagged, Suffocation, Disgorge, etc. These are death metal bands. None of these artists are even somewhat influenced by country. Death Metal has nothing to do with lyrical content (as most of the lyrics are jokes), but by the type of vocals and instrumentation.
IceColdCountry
January 31, 2011 @ 2:01 pm
I realize my phrase “death metal country” is very loose. What I meant was going off Ga. Outlaw’s concerns of cussin and drugs and devil in so many songs.
My reference to death metal country I guess is when a song has good music, good tempo, good everything and then some screaming comes into the mix for the lyrics. There are several bands, many bands that I have found through this site that scream a lot. Sounds like shit. Sounds like death metal. Of course I am not an expert in death metal, but it’s closer to that than country music.
JahshieP
January 31, 2011 @ 3:00 pm
I for one love when an artist can “scream” correctly. It’s a talent beyond compare that takes years to perfect. Believe me, I know. Many artists cannot pull it off. But, I agree Ice Cold, that is an acquired taste, but that style has made a slight crossover from punk and metal to some artists discussed on this site. I think it’s great and shows versility. If you only enjoy the classic sound, than it is not for you. But keep in mind it us 2011, and music has evolved.
But none of this concerns Outlaw Carnie. I think the only song with unclean vocals is “Mack” and that certainly isn’t screaming, more of a shout in the chorus.
IceColdCountry
January 31, 2011 @ 3:07 pm
I know what you mean, but I am not talking about the scream like when Steven Tyler lays it down in a song. I am talking about screaming lyrics like a deamon or devil sound. Prime example- Hank III song “Rebel Within” It ruins the song.
Other bands scream out lyrics too. And not like Tyler.
Thatbastardcoondog
January 31, 2011 @ 3:37 pm
Thank god there are no Steven Tyler sounding lyrics in this scene.
Thatbastardcoondog
January 31, 2011 @ 3:39 pm
Vocals I mean
Jahshie P.
January 31, 2011 @ 4:13 pm
I think it’s just a generation gap issue here. Some people love it, others hate it. It will be an ongoing disagreement.
IceColdCountry
January 31, 2011 @ 4:53 pm
How old do you think I am?
You can’t seriously think that a ghoul-ish voice line, screaming lyrics like some body just drank draino in a song makes it better and evolves the music do you?
I will agree it is a different taste, but a song like “Rebel Within” is ruined by it. Sticking that in a country song is just as poor as putting pop-country out. Both ruin it.
Scott
January 31, 2011 @ 10:41 pm
The screaming on Rebel Within is truly a talent. If I tried to sound like that I would come across like I haven’t yet hit puberty. That doesn’t mean you should like it. It is an aquired taste… Personally I dig it. I heard the song live before I heard the recorded version and in the hellbilly set it goes over very well. I think alot of the Hank 3 themes and songs are built for his live show which, for me atleast, involves a whole lot of alcohol. Good times.
The metal influence that I enjoy most is more in the “vibe” of it all. I like dark music and dark themes. Jayke Orvis’ “Dreadful Sinner” would be a track for instance that alot of metalheads would dig, though it is unmistakeably country… Actually, it is more likely the darkness of old country/blues that influences metal. At the end of each day life is no box of chocolates for most people. This is why drinking/druggin’/ and suicide are the themes that are often revisited in alot of music. Those things are every bit as real in peoples day to day lives as love songs are. I think that satan is often times just used as a metaphor within lyrics. I don’t think these artists are necessarily spouting a belief in the devil every time he is referenced in a song. But because people generally are driven to write upon their experiences and life is hard, well that explains alot of the use of Cain as a metaphor.
I also think that it isn’t necessarily as much as people like to think. People tend to focus on what they don’t like… I think that really anti-religious folks notice references to God/Jesus more and the opposite is true for believers. For instance, in the opening paragraph of the review Triggerman says in as many words that recent Hank 3 hasn’t much in common with old-time country. Where as outside of the chorus to the title track and Tore Up and Loud the sound of Rebel within is, to be sure, country. It seems like when people are annoyed with a certain thing they can’t get past it. Even though often times there is alot of redeeming shit to be heard. I assume that Triggerman wrote that first paragraph to set at ease the minds of 3’s current haters who might be turned off by the mere advertisement of Wayne’s album relating itself to Shelton. It seemed as though he enjoyed Rebel Within when he reviewed it last spring (just trying to stave off a shitstorm of misunderstanding). 🙂
Jahshie P.
February 1, 2011 @ 7:09 am
Well said Scott. And yes, Ice Cold, I do enjoy the screaming in “within”, not quite as much as I do in other songs, but I certainly do no think it ruins the song by any means. I grew up on street punk and hardcore, so I am loving the crossover.
The Triggerman
February 1, 2011 @ 11:02 am
The whole approach of this review was to try to mitigate some of the misnomers out there that Bob Wayne is some sort of screamo “death metal country” freak, despite that being an enormously obvious point that anyone could gain simply by listening to the music. IceCold’s insistent comments are an excellent example of how much of the music here gets painted with a broad brush of being “obscure” or “infused with metal and screams” when it only constitutes a portion.
My reference to Hank III was in no way a criticism, just an observation to set a context. Pre-2008, Hank III did a very careful job keeping the country and metal influences separate. After that, a few songs of his had screams, heavy guitar, and other metal textures. I am not saying this is a bad thing, I was just illustrating that this album does NOT reside in that territory.
As for screaming, it can be good when it is done right, in the right context. Even though apparently Hank III is my “idol”, I felt the need to ciritcize the screams on the “Rebel Within” title track:
“My least favorite song is the title track, with the “screams” feeling out of place and dragging down an otherwise good song.”
https://www.savingcountrymusic.com/album-review-hank-iiis-the-rebel-within
It wasn’t the screams I didn’t like necessarily, just that they didn’t fit in this particular song.
I will be honest with you IceCold, I appreciate your comments and criticism, but I’m getting a little bit jaded with them being so narrow focused on what you don’t like, and inferring that I am either lying or heavily biased in my articles, while staying completely mum on the ones you can’t find anything to criticize. You are wasting my time.
Ernie
January 31, 2011 @ 10:56 am
I really like Outlaw Carnie but at the same time, I am glad my introduction to Bob was through Driven By Demons and Blood To Dust. Bottom line, it’s all good.
Keep on truckin Bob!! \m/
Jammin
January 31, 2011 @ 12:20 pm
I’ll be honest- it took a long time to get over Bob’s voice and it always seemed to me that he ‘over- emphasized’ his singing and sometimes comes off as hokey. But at the same time- he was one of those artists that I could respect. Once I seen him live- it opened me up to his music more. I bought his new album last week and I’m now an even bigger fan. Can’t wait to see him live again. My favorite tune is Reptile. Great job Bob.
joe-joe106
January 31, 2011 @ 12:37 pm
TM – I just want to say thanks for your tireless work on keeping us all informed. I’m still waiting for my copy to arrive from, I should be getting it today (along with Wanda Jackson). Because I own the first three albums I feel like I’ll be pretty comfortable with this release. I’ll also repeat what has been posted before, Bob Wayne has never been punk/metal. 13 Truckin’ Songs, Driven By Demons & Blood to Dust have zero punk/metal influences that needed to be pared down to make him more country.
I find it kind of humorous that some people commenting here are so up in arms about one mans review. You either like it, or you don’t. .357 String Band, Bob Wayne, Hank3, Hillstomp, Joe Buck Yourself, Scott H Biram, Th’ Legendary Shack Shakers, The Devil Makes Three, Whitey Morgan, Unknow Hinson, etc, etc are not for everyone, and I don’t come here to fall in love with everything that is recommended. (That’s everything that I am currently listening to right now)
While the Triggerman doesn’t really like Driven By Demons, I find it to be a song about a man who’s in a constant battle. A man being pulled in both directions by the good Lord and the Devil. For me DBD has a tone that says I can laugh at myself for all of my struggles and still be confident in myself and this new direction.
I’ve only been lucky enough to see Bob play once here in Portland. He was touring with .357 String Band and the show was in a strip club. When the band was setting up the dancers were working. In between sets the dancers were working. I only mention this because reading these comments made me think of seeing Hank3 and the switch to the Hellbilly and then Metal. If you don’t like Bob Wayne or think everything TM writes about is wrong, maybe it’s time to get the hell out.
Keep up the good work Triggerman.
Aran
January 31, 2011 @ 5:33 pm
I ain’t gonna lie, Bob Wayne is not my favorite artist in this scene. I don’t agree with the criticism that all of his songs are about how badass he is, but I can see where a casual listener could get that impression. That said, this new album is very good, and it grows on you the more you listen. If you don’t like him, don’t listen to him. But don’t minimize the fact that he is a key figure in the underground country scene, and that this album well-deserved a review from the Triggerman.
Also, folks, if you are bothered by references to drugs and the devil, well, there’s definitely a handful of artists promoted by this site that you aren’t going to like, no matter what. But please don’t fool yourself, it is a HANDFUL of artists. Not a majority. Not by any stretch.
Kevin
January 31, 2011 @ 6:24 pm
Great review Triggerman. Love Bob To death, even heard “Everythings legal in Alabama” The other day on Sirius outlaw station. I’ve seen him live 4 times and put him up at my house twice. Wish him the best of luck!
Fred
February 1, 2011 @ 6:39 pm
I love metal. I really like Bob Wayne. I’m not hearing much musical similarity between Bob Wayne and metal on this record (maybe the growled echo vocals on the chorus of “Mack,” if anything), but then I didn’t expect to.
I think the reason a lot of people that grew up on metal, like myself, are coming back to this style of country is not because of similarities in the music, but similarities in spirit and attitude. The good stuff, in both genres, is about making the music you want to make, not bending your vision to try to sell records to the masses. There’s also the same DIY ethic there. And, both genres have been victims of the industry trying to push a lightweight version that’s just dangerous enough to make the pop crowd feel daring without going too far.
When it comes to spirit and attitude, Waylon Jennings is as metal to me as any guy with a pointy guitar cranking out a downtuned, snarling riff. It comes from a different direction, but ends up at the same place. At least that’s the way I see it.
That said, bring on the “death metal country.” I’d love to hear it. >=)
Serialkiller
February 1, 2011 @ 7:26 pm
http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/Serialkiller
Fred
February 2, 2011 @ 9:20 am
That’s definitely unique. Gonna have to give it another listen or two.
Serialkiller
February 2, 2011 @ 10:38 am
Thank you for giving it a listen.
Carla
February 1, 2011 @ 6:51 pm
Awesome review, I am inspired. I am fascinated by your glowing comments about his songwriting. I think Scott H Biram is a phenomenal songwriter, Joe Buck too so I’m dying to get my hands on this album. I really enjoyed Bob Wayne’s track on the Outlaw Country Comp, a really awesome throwback. That ‘Meet Bob Wayne’ video is hilarious. I enjoy that irreverent humour that Joe Buck and Biram inject into their music too.
Carla
February 1, 2011 @ 6:59 pm
PS You ‘Cookie Monster’ reference is pure genius. Coooookieeeeee!!!
//?
February 12, 2011 @ 1:02 pm
are you sure about the derek dunn co writing thing??
The Triggerman
February 12, 2011 @ 7:41 pm
Looking at the liner notes right now, says Derek Dunn BMI
:)
February 13, 2011 @ 7:23 pm
daniel mason and bob wayne wrote everthings legal in alabama
The Triggerman
February 13, 2011 @ 9:47 pm
So what are you saying here. Are you saying I’m a liar? Are you saying Bob Wayne’s a liar? Are you saying Derek Dunn’s a liar? Are you saying there’s a misprint in the liner notes?
If you’ve got a story to tell, or a bone to pick, or think someone’s been done wrong, then lay it out for us. But don’t go pussy footing around and hiding behind aliases and saying a bunch of bullshit without backing it up!
All I have to go by is the liner notes. If they’re wrong, state your case. But don’t just throw a bunch of inflammatory bullshit out there and just assume we all know what you’re talking about.
Something tells me Facebook is involved here.
:)
February 14, 2011 @ 7:21 pm
all three of them wrote the song. im not calling anyone a liar. facebook is not involved.
crook
February 16, 2011 @ 12:08 pm
now i spent some time with this album over these weeks since it is release. i woulda bought it no matter yet i was worried i wouldnt enjoy cleaned up bob wayne as much as the old syle. im glad to say this is an amazing sounding album both bob and the players. from seein bob wayne live a handful of times(get the live album if ya can)bob’s singing, timing and phrasing on this album seems to me to closer to how he currently sounds live, which i like. reptile bein my favorite of his songs so that may bias me i’d say its the only one i prefer the previous slightly, just fits the mood of the song for me.love the new ones too, when the banjo goes on everythings legal in alabama thats as close to a musical representation of a good livin feelin as i can recall. simply put, for me and my few that i call pals bob wayne and those like him is what country music truly is supposed to be, i’ll always support him and this music.
Bob Wayne
February 24, 2011 @ 6:12 am
thnks crook, and thanks to everyone else out there supportin bands! i appreciate you to triggerman….and man…ice cold…i was really listening to what you had to say till you said the thing about rebel within…that is my favorite 3 song….just made me remember not all music is for everyone…and in no way is this record a parody record dude…..they are just songs man…with a bunch of friends pickin together.and travelin together tryin to have a good time in this short time we have here..honestly…thats how it started and thats how it will be till the end.
crook
February 24, 2011 @ 8:43 am
damn right brother, last time i seen ya was last spring down at slims in seattle when you was there with .357. pretty sure you was eyein up my old lady but you give us a nod from the stage before you sang “fuck the law” cuz we drove down from north of the border to see ya.love yer shit man,like i said you always got my support.
ashley cochran
April 18, 2015 @ 7:57 pm
I had never even heard of you until one night, i stumbled in a bar in hamburg, germany, known as the Gun Club. Talking to some locals, whenasked where i was from. I replied the USA. They asked where & when i replied Alabama. They turned me around to show me a poster of your band. Bob wayne ….everythings legal in Alabama….just don’t get caught. Freaking awesome to go 5000
ashley cochran
April 18, 2015 @ 8:08 pm
miles from home and find this, ppl that adore you. So one of the first things upon arriving home was check out your music, although its not the typical genre of music i listen to. Have to say awesome. Good luck w all your endeavors. As long as you’re jamming we’re listening. Rock on. Peace, love & happiness.