Texas Country at its best!

The vibrant Texas music scene constantly produces artists who approach the martial stereotypes of dusty Byways, drinking Country Guys and national pathos with proven sensitivity and a good amount of self-irony. For the past 15 years, the still boyish-looking Granger Smith enriches the local Red Dirt scene and now has arrived with his now 9 studio album "Dirt Road Driveway" at the top. The almost shy-acting self-made man from near Austin has to isolated single hits like "Sleeping on the interstate" or "Do not listen to the radio" the bridge between originality and commerciality closed consistently in the present work and thus one of the top albums of 2013 delivered. Already the first single "We do it in a field" was at the beginning of the TOP achieve 10 regional radio charts, followed by the infectious catchy "Silverado benchseat", which also means Smith's first No. 1 ranking. Besides the two Uptemponummern aimed rather to the Party Group, convinced "Dirt Road Driveway" especially in the quieter tones. Songs like "Come", "I am the midnight" or just if hit-compatible "stick around" put the vulnerable side of the rough Redneckseele open and make this album a weak spot-free, well-balanced listening pleasure. At the end, there is a special treat. The inclined listener is torn violently just before the end of the comfort zone when Granger Smith his alter ego Earl Dibbles Jr. leaves out of the bag. This fictional character is a Hardcoreredneck marching with overalls and greasy rib along with beer can and rifle through the countryside, the local beauties and recreates with his buddies wild 4x4 mud races organized. In "The Country Boy Song" and "Country Boy Love" the cliché world is fiercely satirizes and embedded in musical rough riffs. This proves Granger Smith humor and critical subtlety that is some comrades often discussed in the scene.

Conclusion: "Dirt Road Driveway" is a highlight, as it presents all major facets of the genre in high quality. By sophisticated production in his own studio Granger Smith sets the necessary accents that are likely to bring him outside the Countryfangemeinde new listeners.

Full 5 stars