Rank and File "Sundown" 1982****

 This is considered a seminal "cowpunk" album - but is that a good thing? If there was ever an unappealingly named genre, this surely must be it. The Kinman brothers were members of a politically charged California punk band (The Dils) before relocating to Texas and teaming with guitarist Alejandro Escovedo to create Rank & File. Thankfully their new band didn't sound like California punks engaging in musical tourism, but quite the opposite: like a bunch of youths with a country & western background who are nevertheless free of traditionalist restraints trying to find their place in the 80's music scene. And a place they did find, even in MTV, an unlikely medium for former socialist punks. Their political affiliations are still sometimes lyrically evident (as in the exploited workers of "Rank And File") but mostly take second place to their attempt to reclaim country music from the conservative/reactionary establishment. One can detect a slight Clash influence, but mostly it's country/roots music played with a modern (for the 80's) new wave sensibility. Bands like The Long Ryders and Uncle Tupelo picked up on what they did and took it further, which brings us to the present-day alt.country movement (much better title than cowpunk, don't you think?) 20-something years later, the label "Collectors Music" made their music available on CD which helped people rediscover them, but original vinyl LP's like this are easy to get second hand, and cheaper. The record opens with "Amanda Ruth", a Byrds-ian folk rocker showcasing the Kinman Bros' harmonies, one of their most remarkable features - one of them has a sweet high voice and the other a booming low one, quite the combination. Closer "Coyote" is similar fare, albeit with a surprising dub reggae interlude. A bit of reggae (not to mention B52's-like new wave and 50's teen pop) is also discernible in the excellent title song. "(Glad I'm) Not In Love", "I Went Walking" and "I Don't Go Out Much Anymore" are sprightly country & western with twangy guitars, while "The Conductor Wore Black" sounds like Johnny Cash fronting a ska band pulling the Good Ole' Boys routine from the Blues Brothers - if you know what I mean. In any case, it's awesome. Of the rest, "Sundown" is mid tempo straight C&W and "Lucky Day" a tender ballad. Not one weak song in the bunch! There aren't many bands making me want to go "Yeee Haw!!" - but these guys do...

***** for The Conductor Wore Black 

**** for Amanda Ruth, (Glad I'm) Not in Love, Rank and File, Sundown, I Went Walking, Lucky Day, Coyote

*** for I Don't Go Out Much Anymore