The Noise May 2001

Those of you who thought alt-country died with the breakup of Uncle Tupelowere wrong, wrong, wrong. Rest assured that there's at least one disaffected pseudo-redneck still making mind-bending, heart-wrenching albums that sound like an unholy cross between Johnny Cash and The Clash. In the great tradition of Hank Williams, Outback Country Vampire will inspire you to question the meaning of life and dump your girlfriend so you can hang out full-time in some back-roads bar and be comforted by a flickering neon Budweiser sign. Jabe's album rocks, and the lyrics are as top-notch as one would expect from a guy who won both the Boston Music Award's "Outstanding Debut Album" and the Abe Olman Songwriting Award honors in 2000. Standout tracks? All of 'em. For pain, longing, misery, and redemption, it just doesn't get any better.