The Rubes � Hokum  
Label: Underdogma Records
Rating: 
 

I wasn't prepared for this disc when I popped it into the CD player, given that it was an advance CDR and the bio that came along with it was really short of details. The first few bars caught my attention and I remained transfixed to the end. 

You just don't hear music like these that often these days. What kind of music? Blackmore-esq powerblues is the way I like to think of it. The formula for success here is two parts Badlands, one part Blackmore's Rainbow mixed with one half-part Black Crowes and one half part Kings-X.  Since the demise of Badlands it's been hard to come by music like this. In fact, lead vocalist Mace sounds strikingly similar to Ray Gillian if not a litter better at execution. Fans of Badlands could easily substitute this album for that third album that never came from Ray Gillian and company. 

With the exception of the six minute long third track, "20 Three", which grows a little long in the tooth after four minutes, this album is pack full of great hard rockin' blues inspired tunes.