Fans of NASHVILLE PUSSY or HONKY should definitely check out the up-tempo bluesy punk of the SMOKY MOUNTAIN SKULLBUSTERS. It’s a good thing that this is a genre that I seldom get tired of, because anyone else might quibble that the songwriting here is not quite up to the level of the aforementioned bands. That’s not to say that “Yin Through the Yang Door” is not without its cool and fun moments. The half time breakdown and dual guitar harmonies on “Return Policy” really set it apart. Opening instrumental “Smooth Undertaker” features some tasteful, bluesy guitar work, but it fades out awkwardly much too soon for there to be any point to the song. It’s not until the last track “Smooth Underkofler,” fades in, that we realize that this is one big song split up to frame the disc. This was a nice little conceptual touch to enhance an otherwise street-level, no-frills endeavor.

With the clever album name, amusing cover art, and the freewheeling attitude of the songs, it’s clear that these guys don’t take themselves seriously at all, which is refreshing in this day and age of pretentious “artistes” polluting the record stores and internet with their ironic self-awareness. I’m sure people will hear this and wonder, “Do we really need another band like this?” and to those wimps I answer with a resounding “HELL YEAH!”

- Broadbent

OFFICIAL SITE: www.smokymountainskullbusters.net

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