BLACKSTONE VALLEY SINNERS

Sixteen Horsepower meets The Andrews Sisters in a dark alley in suburban Rhode Island somewhere between routes 295 and 146, and the atrocities Screamin' Jay Hawkins only knew in his darkest nightmares ensue. Blackstone Valley Sinners peek around the corner, sip alligator wine and take notes, and commit the events to music reminiscent of The B-52's Fred Schneider (sounding real gay and high 'n' lonesome) sitting in with Johnny Cash's backing band. Guitar wizard Rich Gilbert of Zulus/ Frank Black fame is outclassed by singer Slim Cessna's flat fucking weirdness - check the warped but somehow sensible covers of Shania Twain's "Still the One" and George Jones' "There Stands the Glass" for proof. The music is masterful and the vocals and lyrical themes are utterly ridiculous, but the whole affair is brilliant and inspired and makes for an unbeatable, highly entertaining listen. (Mike Baldino)