American Jackpot/American Girls
Thirty Tigers, 2020
9/10
Listen to American Jackpot/American Girls
The Austin, Texas stars Reckless Kelly return with another batch of their esteemed sounds, and this time it’s a pair of albums where the Braun brothers, Jay Nazz and Joe Miller are in the company of Rosie Flores, Gary Clark Jr., Charlie Sexton and Eleanore Whitmore, among many others, on the 20 tracks.
American Jackpot leads with the warm country rock of “North American Jackpot”, as smooth singing aligns with silky melodies, and this formula continues to the acoustic strumming and breezy quality of “Thinkin’ Bout You All Night”, as well as the more ballad friendly “42”.
The highlight on this album, “Another New Year’s Day”, recruits harmonica and thumping percussion in the fluid and lush rock, and “Goodbye Colorado” finishes out this portion with piano accenting the cautious and soaring atmosphere where intricate guitar work mesmerizes the listener.
American Girls starts with “I Only See You With My Eyes Closed”, where the flourishing Americana glides with much beauty, while “Miss Marissa” shines with a timeless quality that brings to mind the greatness achieved by Tom Petty. “Lost Inside The Groove”, the best tune on this disc, then moves with a swift pace of rock’n’roll spirit that’s both gritty yet pretty, and will certainly get your body moving. “My Home Is Where Your Heart Is” finishes out the listen, and is as intimate as the title implies, putting a firm exclamation point on this thoughtful effort.
If you’re a fan of Reckless Kelly, it just doesn’t get any better than this in terms of quantity and quality. And if you’re a first time listener, these gentlemen have a sizable back catalog, so be sure to clear some space in your collection for some of the best country inspired rock ever made.
Travels well with: Steve Earle & The Dukes- Ghosts Of West Virginia; Corb Lund- Cover Your Tracks