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On the same day that i bought Metallica's new record "Death Magenta", i felt a longing in my heart for music that was new in both vintage and artist. Meaning, i wanted to be introduced to a new artist. Luckily (or was it) an old painting buddy of mine, Dave M. was the music manager at the HMV that i was visiting. So, i said, "Dave, i need new music, what have you got for me?" We walked the floors of HMV, he gave me four cds, and of the four, i bought two, and this was one of them. Hayes Carll, folk/country/blues/rockabilly artist off the Lost Highway record label. (note: same label as Ryan Adams and his Cardinals, of which i bought a sweet limited edition vinyl and t-shirt today). Anyway, Hayes upon quick listen has some endearing alt-country qualities. The first song on the album references a girl "who likes to lay naked and be gazed upon". And it's not so much what he say's as much as his pronounciation - neked. Anyway, he sounded alright, and i needed new music, so i bought him up. But then i listened to his whole record in it's entirity. I regret buying this record. Musically, it's ok, enjoyable even as Hayes and his band evoke classic country-blues jams. But it's his cliche lyrics that bother me. And I guess, i can't blame the guy, not every one can be David Ryan Adams, who manages to mix a slight bit of cheese, with beautiful poetic lyrics about many subjects ranging from broken relationships, to death, and substance abuse, regrets, and stars going blue (yeah, he actually wrote that, not Tim McGraw). But, because Hayes attempts to cover similar subject matter, in a similar genre of music, and on a similar label, one can't help but compare them. And when it comes to lyrics, there is no comparing them. Heck one of his songs even mentions not being a gambler, but gambling since he was a kid or something like that, which is eerily reminiscint of a classic DRA lyric that is much more beautiful in it's "never been to vegas, but i gambled all my life". This review isn't living up to my expectations for it, but the album is mostly disappointing. There are a couple bright spots, but i don't have time to tell you about them now, cause i have to close the edge. Perhaps i will update this update in the morn.

Peace