Molly & the Heymakers
Molly & the Heymakers (Reprise) (STAR)(STAR)(STAR) 1/2
Hayward, Wis., seems an unlikely location to produce one of country music`s most promising new recording acts, but on their rocking self-titled debut album, Molly & the Heymakers prove they belong up there with Nashville`s big boys (and girls). Led by singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Molly Scheer, the Heymakers specialize in rocked-up country played with exuberance. Scheer`s ”Gulf of Mexico” is prototypical Heymakers: It opens with Scheer`s gently lilting mandolin, crackles with the addition of Jeff Nelson`s bass and John Lindzius` drums and is slammed into overdrive by Scheer`s passionate vocals. Scheer excels at writing bouncy romps such as
”Jimmy McCarthy`s Truck” and ”He Comes Around,” but proves to be a poignant lyricist as well on ”Well Ran Dry.”
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