In cartoonland, Mel Blanc was the Man of 1,000 Voices. When you're talking roots-rock, however, Slobberbone singer Brent Best is the man to beat when it comes to vocal variety. On his Texas foursome's rambunctiously rocking third album, the singer-songwriter's sound changes from song to song -- and always, it seems, into the voice of someone you recognize. One minute you'd swear he's Shane MacGowan from The Pogues; the next he's morphed into Billy Bragg (minus the accent), or Bobby Bare Jr., or Bruce Springsteen, or Paul Westerberg, or even Tim Armstrong from Rancid! The band, meanwhile, takes a more consistent tack, laying down a dozen tracks that emphasize the rock in roots-rock, crossing the banjo balladry of Marah with the punky snarl of The Replacements. These guys have tremendous promise, but to really get anywhere Best is going to have to settle on a sound of his own.

Track Listing 1.Meltdown 3:35
  02.Placemat Blues 3:55
  03.Trust Jesus 4:14
  04.Gimme Back My Dog 5:01
  05.That Is All 3:31
  06.Josephine 7:11
  07.Lazy Guy 4:18
  08.Bright Eyes Darkened 3:59
  09.Lumberlung 4:28
  10.Magnetic Heaven 2:32
  11.Some New Town 4:56
  12.Pinball Song 4:36