For their first full-fledged major-label album,
the Derailers teamed with producer
Dave Alvin -- a legend in Americana circles -- and crafted another fine, straight-ahead country record in
Full Western Dress. The group never makes any apologies about being an unabashed traditionalist honky tonk group, equally comfortable with twangy Bakersfield, gritty honky tonk, and western swing. It's easy to spot the group's influences, from
Buck Owens to
Dwight Yoakam (or even
the Beatles on the Merseybeat singalong of "Just to Spend the Night With You"), but the key to the record's success is that
the Derailers never become mired in tradition, they simply play the music as if it was still vital and relevant, which is exactly what makes it vital and relevant. Of course, it doesn't hurt that the 12 songs are all very strong, whether they're covers or new originals that sound as if they're classics. It's a classy, inspired release that is much stronger and more charming than the average Americana release. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine