The Backsliders - Throwin Rocks At The Moon (1997)

The full-length debut, produced by Pete Anderson (Dwight Yoakam), from this Raleigh, NC quintet. With a driving guitar sound that picks up where the New Riders of the Purple Sage left off in the '70s and what Jason & the Scorchers started in the '80s, the Backsliders will appeal to fans who like their country a little rough around the edges. The songwriting and musical attitude comes off as honest and sincere, and Anderson does a great job of toughening the band's already muscular live-show attack, without messing with its charm. Adding a little Hammond B-3 on the soulful rockers, the country elements are in turn accentuated by occasional pedal steel and mandolin. Standout cuts include the heartfelt "Broken Wings," the melodic honky-tonk of "Lonesome Teardrops" and the rambunctious album closer "Cowboy Boots."