Since there is no obvious stylistic difference between The Reverend Horton Heat's albums, I don't tend to remember which songs are form which album. So it will be interesting to focus on how this album differs from It's Martini Time.
The first track, Loco Gringos Like a Party is a great song, but a strange choice as opening track. More relaxed than many of the psychobilly songs on the album, the spaghetti western and jazz influences are a highlight for me. Trading off its great style rather than any specific musical hooks, it drags on a bit, however I'm totally happy to endlessly enjoy the groove! Also, I really dig the false ending, somehow making me appreciative that there is still a bit of this great song left to enjoy.
Regarding the recording quality, the double-bass and drums are often muddy and lost in the background, similar to It's Martini Time. Also, the cymbals sound disappointing (and that's when you can actually hear them). On a happier note, the bass has good meat to it and the variety of guitar sounds are nicely recorded.
There first two of the aforementioned psychobilly songs, Reverend Horton Heat's Big Blue Car and Galaxy 500 are quite similar musically, both featuring musically chaotic verses and simplistic repetitive choruses. The light-hearted story of absurd divorce settlements ("You take the fish, I'll take the bowl") and classic cars ("...but things ain't so bad, cos I've got a Galaxy 500") makes Galaxy 500 my pick of the two.
Suicide Doors continues the winning combination of psychobilly and talk of old cars. Remember Me is similar, but to me the song just drifts along without any musical or narrative progression to follow. Ain't Gonna Happen doesn't have any real instrumental highlights, so the enjoyment comes from the great story of determination against the odds:
An inch at a time, but it means a lot.
All I gotta do is play connect the dots.
Go With Your Friends is very similar to Ain't Gonna Happen. The chorus is a bit too simplistic and the song feels too long to me, but the twist in the bridge is great.
The lead-up to the finale, Sermon on the Jimbo, works well as an amusingly cheesy lead-up to You've Got a Friend in Jimbo. This last song has some funny religious references. Although it seems to drag on too long (seems to be a trend on this album), it works well as some comedy relief.
Two of my favourite songs are more high-energy rockabilly than psychobilly: Like a Rocket and What's Reminding Me of You. Both are infectious fast-tempo blasts, a great modern interpretation of Bill Haley and co. Despite their increased tempo, it actually feels like the songs are straining to go even faster. They feel frantic, yet perfectly controlled, a sign of great musicianship. Also, the solos of both songs feel like the band are egging each other on to keep going harder and faster. Brilliant. Both have great lyrics, although the topics couldn't be any different: Like a Rocket is talking about how fast his hotrod is, and What's Reminding Me of You is a tale of lovesick woe! Regarding the latter, the irony of such a sad tale being told in such an energetic, feelgood musical style is yet another highlight.
The Tiny Voice of Reason has interesting lyrics, but somehow the 6/8 musical style sounds... I dunno... daggy. Duel at the Two O'Clock Ball has great sparse spaghetti western elements, but it drifts on aimlessly for too long, and the faster section at the end doesn't appeal at all. Show Pony is a solid rendition of the Chet Atkins style, which unfortunately isn't my cup of tea.
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