Album Review: West of Texas - Heartache, Hangovers & Honky Tonks

A country fan once implored that they don't want tinges, shades and blurred lines, just something that is true to the core and straight down the middle with no evidence of deviation. That said fan would wholly concur with the new album from West of Texas who operate direct from the label on multiple fronts. That label begins with the band hailing from California, so no debate with the West of Texas moniker although we may have to skip over New Mexico and Arizona. Next up, it is hard to go anywhere other than down country way with a title of HEARTACHE, HANGOVERS & HONKY TONKS, an alliteration straight out of the GCSE playbook for Brit readers and one that casts any implied nature aside. The fate that seals the deal is 52 minutes of glorious country music that is entirely trad all over and totally raw to the bone.

West of Texas is the brainchild of Jerry Zinn, who never lost sight of his dream when you learn that this record had its roots over a decade ago. They say good things come to those who wait and this album bows down to that saying literally. Circumstances may have dictated the pace and trajectory of this record, but the irony is a pandemic may have hurried it to its eventual conclusion. When a finished record comes endorsed by Western Red, you know it's going to be ripe with absolute appeal. By the way Western Red hosts a wonderful podcast named If That Ain't Country and adopts a deep cut approach to traditional country music, honky tonk and western swing. 

By cutting straight to the point, the fifteen songs packing HEARTACHE, HANGOVERS & HONKY TONKS to the hilt read like a compendium of country music subjects - drinkin', cheatin', heart breakin' (don't forget the obligatory omissive apostrophe). There are actually sixteen tracks with lead number 'Whatcha Drinkin' getting a radio edit to cut out the naughty word. If you think fiddle, steel, a combo melody of slow/medium/quick tempo and a sound swaying between Western swing, Tex-Mex and pure dance hall are ingredients to the ideal album, then you are in the right place. 

Jerry Zinn and his team of ace players are on top of their game throughout. One name who jumped out from the credits was Grant Langston, who himself delivered a set of stellar albums a few years ago which found their way overseas. Another couple of familiar names associated with Jerry Zinn are Wayne 'The Train' Hancock and James Intveld. Two classic artists who illuminated the rough and ready Americana UK festival in the mid 2000s before the term Americana adopted its hipster cloak. 

You get the drift now that HEARTACHE, HANGOVERS & HONKY TONKS is right up the alley of the country purist. Jerry Zinn or to be strictly accurate West of Texas are to be unequivocally commended for sticking in there and ultimately delivering a hot 'n' spicy boot scootin' top notch record. One that Western Red is likely to dissect on a future edition of If That Ain't Country.