Reviews

Reverend Peyton's Big Damn Band wasn't something I was expecting to enjoy as much as I did. Defined by the band as country-blues, which all my knowledge of is the soundtrack to O'Brother Where Art Thou, Petyon's got me hooked on the high energy and intensity of the performance on the CD. While I couldn't always understand what guitarist Rev. Peyton was saying, especially in the song "Walmart Killed the Country Store," you get the emotion that the three members were obviously going for. When I first heard this song, I thought he was singing "Wall Killed the Country Stock."

The lyrics are simplistic as far as I can tell or decipher, but I don't think deep, layered words are necessary when the music is as good as this. Peyton's wife, Breezy, uses a washboard; I wasn't even aware there was a washboard until I listened through the CD again because I kept thinking the scratching was something the drummer, Jayme, was using during his drumming. I would have to say Rev. Peyton isn't for everyone - I can imagine some people writing this band off just from the genre of music they play - but I have to stress giving them a chance; it's great music for a bbq or sitting outside with friends and beer.

And that would be the only real gripe with the CD. The songs are so similar and that makes it a little difficult to listen to all the way through unless you're a real fan of the band or the style. For me, it really takes a certain mood to listen to this type of music. Much like Flogging Molly or Dropkick Murphys, which are great bands, the constant listening can give me a headache, not from the music itself, but the repetition of style.

Give it a listen or even give it to a father or mother who have a fondness for bluegrass and country-blues; you may bond over it on a Sunday morning.