When X's
John Doe and
Exene Cervenka stepped out as
the Knitters to explore their interest in country music, their efforts indirectly spawned the No Depression movement -- essentially, the group's lone album, 1985's Poor Little Critter on the Road, signified punk's return to its musical roots a half-decade before bands like
Uncle Tupelo and the Jayhawks made such a move a genre unto itself.
Poor Little Knitter on the Road celebrates the original album in style, assembling a dozen contemporary alt-country bands to re-create the record in its original running order; there's even a previously unreleased Knitters leftover, "Why Don't We Try Anymore," tacked on at the end for good measure. Without a vast catalog of songs to draw from, the disc is far more consistent and focused than the standard tribute record, highlighted by pairings like
Kelly Hogan and the Rock*A*Teens' scorching collaboration on "Someone Like You" and
the Sadies' take on "Walkin' Cane," featuring
Freakwater's Catherine Irwin; the Old 97s' "Cryin' But My Tears Are Far Away" even sports vocals from
John Doe himself, guaranteeing -- in true country music tradition -- that the circle remains unbroken.