Yee-Haw, Cowboys and Cowgirls! Me First And The Gimme Gimmes have returned at around their usual time (every two years or so) to give us another round of punk rock covers, this time going down that 'ol Country & Western road. And while this little super group of punk rock all-stars has always given us fun and welcoming rearrangements of some of rock, pop, and Broadway's best tunes and based their albums around lyrical themes, this is the first Gimme album that focuses strictly on one genre of music. And after 2004's somewhat tossed together live album "Ruin Johhny's Bar Mitzvah" (recorded live at an actual Bar Mitzvah) "Love Their Counrty" is a welcome return to the studio for a set of blistering, tight, and skillfully performed covers of the sort we have come to expect from this band.
If you aren't familiar with the group don't let their wacky name and mock get ups of the album cover throw you off. The Gimme's may be irreverent in attitude and style, but musically they are quite impressive and treat these old C&W standards with a healthy dose of respect and reverence. John Denver's ode to commitment "Annie's Song" is performed directly and straight faced, the band infusing it with a high level of Pop-Punk goodness and singer Spike Slawson coming up plain and sincere in his vocals. Hank Wiliams "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry" moves along like a lonely freight train for two minutes of bagpipe led thunder worthy of any full time band of punk players. And Wille Nelson's "On The Road Again" is the perfect soundtrack for any DIY'ers of punkdom out on the trail and in love with sleeping in the van and making the next gig.
Song selection plays a big part here. And whether choosing an unlikely gem like "Don't Cry For Me Argentina" from the Gimme's second album or Stevie Wonder's "Isn't She Lovely" from the "Take A Break" record, the band once again nails it on the head with this collection. A smokin' version of Dolly Parton's great "Jolene" is ripped up and put back together bringing an urgency to the tune that eluded the desperate original, and Kenny Rogers "She Believes In Me" is yet another Pop-Punk style chugger that makes you wonder upon listening if 'ol Kenny had known all along his classic ballad of faith and devotion would one day make it off the porch swing and into the mosh pit.
What's refreshing about Me First And The Gimme Gimme's is the dignity they put into their records, and this one is no different. While some punks might gather and play these tunes as a send up at best or mockery at worst, The Gimme's go about their business quite seriously, if not exactly. Which is not to say they are careful or worshipful of these classic songs. What they do to The Eagles "Desperado"would make any self respecting classic rock fan cringe in a way that would make any punk smile. And "Ghost Riders In The Sky" is a kick in the teeth that sounds just like you might expect it to in punked up form, the Gimme's chewing this song up and spitting it out just fine. In fact some of these songs would be virtually unrecognizable except for the sung melodies and lyrics which clue the listener in, the music having been rearranged considerably. The special talent of this band (members of NOFX, Foo Fighters, Lagwagon, Swingin' Utters, etc) is they do so without destroying the integrity and meaning of the songs themselves. These songs do not twang. And Me First And The Gimme Gimmes pull it off without so much as batting an eyelash. This is an effortless sounding recording because of the effort put in. And these often heartfelt tunes are all the better for it.
The Gimmes are a cool little band. Not a revelation in any way or to be taken too seriously, if at all, they nonetheless have been cranking out cover tunes for the past ten years and are as solid at the game as they have ever been. On "Love Their Country" Me First And The Gimme Gimmes grab their hats, mount their punk rock ponies, and crank up the 'ol six strings for a spirited ride around the ranch a time or two. Invigorating, thunderous, and perhaps most of all fun, this is one hayride I wouldn't miss for the world before heading off into the sunset. And nor should any other self respecting punk rock cowpoke worth his or her saddle.
