Turnpike Troubadours - A Cat in the Rain (2023)

Turnpike Troubadours is one of those IYKYK acts, able to headline Red Rocks but rarely played on mainstream country radio. Often called one of the best groups in contemporary country music (though that's discounting their Red Dirt roots, incorporating folk, rock, bluegrass, Western swing and more), they are also a musicians' band able to attract a catholic list of openers including Dawes, Old 97's, the Avett Brothers, Steve Earle and Ray Wylie Hubbard.

But four years ago, there was fear that the magic had disappeared after a high-profile demolition derby—including singer/guitaristEvan Felker temporarily leaving his wife for Miranda Lambert, plus show cancellations and a viral video of Felker seemingly so drunk he couldn't perform—that led to the band taking an open-ended hiatus. The break only reenergized them. Now sober, Felker sounds great, the band is tight, and the songwriting is sure and purposeful. Produced by Shooter Jennings, the Troubadours' sixth album is one of the most exciting of the year. It's also full of regrets and humility and a determination to make it right. Felker, an Americana poet, gets straight to the heart of the messy matter with "Chipping Mill," an apology to his wife, with whom he reunited and started a family. "Ran my heart through a chipping mill/ Sold my soul for rock 'n' roll … Drank my way through a hurricane/ Thinking about your wedding ring/ I done a lot of real dumb things/ But I always kept the best for you." "Mean Old Sun" is killer, all driving guitars and sorrowful fiddle from Kyle Nix, and Felker counting the "Empty promises I've given." Hank Early's steel guitar is like an empathetic echo on the easy-paced and declarative "The Rut," as Felker proclaims, "I don't miss the taste of liquor/ Or really anything about it/ But the temporary shelter." Felker adopts a sort of Billy Bragg delivery for "Brought Me," an excellent bit of winsome folk and Appalachian tent gospel. "Lucille" is stark and moody with a gorgeous chorus, and the title track—keening with eye-watering steel—has an Uncle Tupelo feel. "Three More Days" is lovely neotrad country. "East Side Love Song (Bottoms Up)" strides like a honky-tonk shuffle, while Cajun-swampy "Black Sky" features howling harmonica and fiddle plus creek-baptism chorus harmony. There's joy and redemption to be found in closer "Won't You GIve Me One More Chance," with its high-lonesome harmonica and The Last Waltz vibe. Fans can look forward to a moving singalong in concert: "Won't you give me one more chance/ To make it with you/ Forget about the bad/ I don't believe we're through." © Shelly Ridenour

Tracklist
1 Mean Old Sun
2 Brought Me
3 Lucille
4 Chipping Mill
5 The Rut
6 A Cat In The Rain
7 Black Sky
8 East Side Love Song (Bottoms Up)
9 Three More Days
10 Won't You Give Me One More Chance