CD Review: Whiskey and Women by Moonshine Bandits

Moonshine Bandits are about most things that I hate:  hard drinking, womanizing, objectification of women, drugs, fast living, patriotism, alcoholism, lawlessness and more.  No matter how long I live in "ruralville, USA", I've always been perplexed by the seeming incongruity of the redneck subculture that demands allegiance to country, God and hard work (at the end of a tight fist, or down the barrel of their shot gun) while turning a blind eye to the other vices mentioned above.  It has always seemed quite a Hodge-podge of values and morality that makes me shake my head. I don't get it.

AND YET...

I totally dig this album.  I can't explain myself.  A friend of mine posted one of their music videos on Facebook (thanks Suzanne), and the rest, is history.  It was all downhill from there.

Moonshine Bandits are a fascinating blend of Hank Williams style country, with hip-hop and rap.  I find the musical blend irresistible.  The music is creatively developed and has cleverly intertwined snippets of old song lyrics, famous name dropping, foul language, and absolute rebelliousness.  I cannot relate to ANY of the subject matter, but it doesn't seem to stop me from enjoying it despite my distaste for the behavioral soup I mentioned earlier.

Perhaps it speaks to my inner rebelliousness; even those things I have no interest in doing...they're taboo and "naughty".  One can blow off steam and in the privacy of wherever they listen to this music, one can belt out the disregard for the rules.  Much like when as  teen, I took great joy in belting out Aerosmith's "Big Ten Inch" song (despite the fact I would have no idea what to do with 10 inches if faced with the prospect).  Sometimes being rowdy in word only, is more than enough.

You can listen to a sample of each song on this album (scroll down the page, click the "listen to all" button), to get the general flavor or watch the videos posted below.  Or both.



This one has a Johnny Cash feel...to a point :-)