PopSyndicate.com

This CD literally dropped into my lap.  I was at the State Fair with my goddaughter and she told the young lady at the end of the next table that she liked her cowboy hat.  The young woman showed her a picture of another hat she owned.  It was on a business card.  The young woman was Glitter Rose and she told us she was a singer.  I mentioned that I write music reviews and her manager placed Southern Comfort into my hands. 

I am a big devotee in listening to new, local talent.  If you believe in yourself enough to make a recording, then one should give it a spin. Happy accidents are discovered by trying something new.  Besides, just about every recording star was local before they broke nationally.

The disc opens with “American Man” a tune that feels more like a Waylon Jennings/Jessie Colter track.  The story song is of bring broke down and a finding if not Mister Right, then Mister Right Now.  “Great Lovin’” has that Urban Cowboy feel, a honky-tonk boot scooting tune with a fat bouncing bass.  It has a libidinous lyric, as playful as it is lewd.  Though Glitter does have a great rebel yell.

“What Would You Do If I Shot You” has to be the female empowerment single of the month.  Glitter almost shouts the chorus as if she were singing to a single individual, someone who should be watching his back.  With a swinging guitar “Southern Comfort” is yet another drinking song but this one taking shots while taking shots.

Finally showing some more personal reflection is “Lucky” a tune about a bar patron who touched our singer.  With a tongue firmly planted in its lyrical cheek comes “The Cowtown Song.” It takes a crack at the city cowboy idea. It ends with a great ending break that begs for an old time country holler.  “Midnight Rodeo” starts soft and finds this fat place to expand.  It rolls and rocks, expanding the wall of sound to the floor and ceiling.

“Flavor Of The Week” feels more like LP filler than a thought out track.  While it isn’t a bad bit of ear candy, it just doesn’t do more that just be there on the disc.  “Texas Lullaby (The Kerrville Song)” comes across as the most honest song of Southern Comfort.  It is about a time and a place that finally shows some true emotions.  As a singer/songwriter showcase, this is the tune that shows the greatest potential.

“Getaway” is one of those rolling bar tunes that refer to smoking, drinking and getting laid.  Presented with a rich back beat and tight harmonica, one can hear the drunks screaming at the ribald excesses.  It is a fun little ditty of white trash overload.  Ending the disc is “Texas Proud” a song that celebrates being country while still being from California.  As a transplanted Texan, I can understand the sympathies.

Since I’ve listened to many local CDs over the years I’ve noticed the lack of technical skill in the physical production.  Here, those deficiencies do not exist.  So the biggest praises have to go to Rod Bollinger.  He produced and recorded the disc as well as providing lead guitar, slide guitar, lead acoustic guitar, bass harmonica and background vocals.  His imprint is over this as much as Glitter Rose.

With so many songs about drinking and sex, this disc struck me more along the lines of a country version of Amy Winehouse.  If I can find a true complaint about Southern Comfort is that it’s scope is too narrow.  I know that booze fueled, whiskey drenched tunes are a staple of being a honky-tonk queen.  I’d just like some more songs that explored the emotional side of country music.  With so many songs about drinking, the next disc may be about going to rehab.

Probably the most important part of this recording is that 10% of every CD goes to support the troops at One Vet Ahead, Int.  According to the liner notes, Glitter Rose will send one CD to the troops for every CD purchased.  One has to admire that kind of commitment to our boys in harms way.

If you like rock based, outlaw country then this is a disc for you.  Glitter Rose is a much younger version of Gretchen Wilson, carrying the same kicking intensity.  This is a bar record, like one of those discs on a jukebox you don’t know but every regular in the place knows by heart.  You gotta love a disc with a girl holding a guitar on the front cover and a shotgun on the back.

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