Grievous Angels - Miles on the Rail (1998)

The Grievous Angels' third album finds them playing their own hard-driving brand of country-rock on nine original tracks and two covers. Instrumentally, the music is driven by the chugging beat of Jesus Navarro's snare drum and a mix of acoustic and electric guitars. But the real instrumental genius is Jon Rauhouse, whose steel guitar, mandolin, and banjo flourishes add spice to the Angels' musical concoction. The lead vocals of Earl C. Whitehead (aka Russell Sepulveda) are not particularly remarkable, but fit the frenzied pace of much of the band's music well. Listening to this album, one realizes that Grievous must be a great barroom band. Their music is brisk and entertaining -- in short, easy to dance to. Little of the songwriting carries much weight, but maybe that's the point. Part of the purpose of music is escapism, and Grievous provides that on this album with its fun, upbeat style.