In an attempt to get the word out on more albums that I have listened to recently and really like, I want to discuss not one but two albums. Both of these discs could easily fit into the “Country-Rock” brand, yet are quite different from one another…

• Buster Jiggs (Official / Myspace) – Heartache Jubilee (Smith Ent.): These guys have been kicking around Texas for the better part of 10 years. The sultry vocal of Kristin Muenninck fit the bands barroom blend of soul and twangy rock with a dash of blues thrown in for good measure.  Love in various forms is the dominant lyrical theme on the album. This makes sense, given that there is a married couple in the band. The drummer, Scott Muennink is hitched to the lead singer. Now back to the vocal performance of the lead singer. “Pretty White Wings”  showcases Muennink’s ability to harness her voices strength in order to be tender and vulnerable. This specific performance becomes a bit more profound when I read the liner notes of the album and see that this song specifically is dedicated to a couple of loved ones who have recently passed on.

• The Only Sons (Official / Myspace) – Steel Hearts (Sophomore Lounge):  To counter the tales of love and the femininity of Buster Jiggs, The Only Sons (formerly Ribbonpigeon) from Tennessee bust out with the raspy vocals of Kent Eugene Goolsby. His voice also fits well with the entire ramshackle vibe for the album. Fans of The Bottle Rockets will likely be drawn to these guys as well. The rough edges of each drum lick and fiddle run compliment the swagger of the uptempo numbers. Songs such as “Loneliness On My Side” and “Been Gone” proudly display a roots-y and jagged edge while discussing this albums major themes. The search for one’s self and simply trying to make sense out of life are subjects that seem to weave in and out of almost each song from this record.

I love dissecting genres as much as anyone else, and at times, I make myself crazy trying to figure “what” a band’s sound truly “is”. I think it’s safe to say that these are both excellent example of discs that are rooted in Country sounds that also rock out a good bit, even if they rock in different ways.