Steve Austin : "Marked Cards and Loaded Dice"

Steve Austin from Today is the Day is releasing a country album. Not what I would have expected, and even as I am listening while typing this have fully processed this weirdness, which in some ways reminds me of Ween's country album. His nasal tenor has enough tawng to come across as legitimate. There is a different boozy feel than what most country albums come to the table with, and lyrically, some of these songs are hard to take seriously if they were ever intended to be serious. 'Oh Lord, I'm Coming Home' is another one where certain elements are nailed solid, and others seem like they are winking at the camera.

'Am I Just Crazy' is a little darker around the edges, and vocally, he seems to be taking themselves more seriously.  He knows his limitations as a singer, but is making this work. "Long Way to Hell" is not as dark as the previous song, and using themes like running from the law that are more country stereotypes, he has already touched on a few in previous songs making it hard to tell if he is even taking this seriously. I think there are some elements from the more recernt Today is the Day albums that could have blended to make this feel less like a country parody.

"Lovin' to Do" has a more bluegrass feel. He sings about being drunk on this one, which leans into the earlier point I made about this being a country parody.  The music tends to check off all the boxes from what you expect from country, not unlike the lyrical concepts, but it's so straightforward that it feels like he is just trying on a cowboy hat rather than owning it. 'Crazy Dreams' feels a little more sincere. I know it takes a great deal of time and money to make an album, so I doubt this is all the punchline to the joke we haven't heard yet, but it's a shade of weird he has yet to paint in until now. 

'I Won't Make it Last' sounds more likea a country-influenced indie-rock band than legit country, but it's certainly a more believable perspective. Going into the title track, it also feels like it might be more earnest than some moments on this album. I'm not sure I would call this outlaw country, as it feels like it's a series of misdemeanors; there is none of the danger that Waylon Jennings carries in his songs.  I will give this an 8.5, as it sounds good, and the insturmentation is pulled off in a manner that adds some legitimacy to this.