The Kentucky Headhunters - Dixie Lullabies

A band that has seen a lot of turmoil and change in members and style over their long career. It's been a lot longer than most would think considering they were plugging away for years before the rocket ride to the top of the industry back in 1989. The band was known as the Itchy Brothers from 1968 - 1982 never moving past the cover circuit. The band has a large catalog of 8 albums that has seen three lead vocalists none of the changes saw the sort of success of their first leader Ricky Lee Phelps who was their best front man for sure. 2011 sees the band playing their swampy version of southern rock mixed with some country flavor one more time. Nothing has really changed here if you are familiar with their last couple of albums.

I wasn't impressed with the overall production on this platter because the usually snappy drum sound is not anywhere near usual and the vocal production is either too tiny or too up-front in the mix. The otherwise lack of good material is another case for indifference to the Kentucky Headhunters in 2011. This band is much less "Dumas Walker" now than ever before and that's a shame because when they indulge their country side they cook. Now not every track is a stinker "Tumblin' Rose" is a good song but it's got some awful lead vocals layed over top of it. Another shame because its a really good song being obscured by shite singing and production. I've heard bands record in their garage get better quality out of a cheap four track that's how pathetic the sound is now.

Obviously this album is an indie record and shows just how important it is to have a seriously good producer turning the knobs in a real studio. "In A Perfect World" sounds like the band if hammered while putting this together and all the instruments sound seperate as if they are all playing in different rooms trying to hear what the tempo is and where they bass player is with little success. I'd think the pot smoking has taken its toll on their brains and the beer and whiskey for breakfast and dinner is not working in their favour any longer.

I'd love to hear this album put together in Nashville with a serious budget and someone like Toby Keith or the like working with them to round out the songs. The glorious boogie of "Sugar Daddy" deserves better treatment and another sure fire smoker if only it didn't sound like lame wanna be band at the town fair. The bands need to drop a Blue Cheer meets Mountain style blues number called "Little Miss Blues Breaker" could be a demo it's so distressed in sound quality. The it gives way to another song that drives me crazy "Little Angel" easily a comeback quality song that might have given this band a change to play some big clubs and theatre's again or even get on a major acts tour as opener. But nope again another cheap rushed through rendition of a solid tune that could be hit for Billy Currington or Joe Nichols. "Ain't That A Shame" apes the Rolling Stones in style and another sad moment because of the poor recording. I don't think the performances are as bad as you'd think because if they had sounded big and expensive (Pro Tools and a Mac could do it) the songs would be ok. The albums closing number is '50's doo wop ballad type song that sounds out of place and has some of the worst vocals the album has offered. I'd love to hear this song covered by many other artists George Strait or Willie Nelson come to mind right away.

Don't buy this album or download it for free unless you are a completest and have to have all their stuff no matter what. The album will leave you sad, disappointed and annoyed especially if you are as much of a fan as I am of their previous stuff.