Album Review: Chris Shiflett & The Dead Peasants - All Hat And No Cattle

Representing one half of the two guys from Foo Fighters that most casual fans wouldn't be able to name, Chris Shiflett has sidestepped Dave Grohl's imposing shadow again for another foray into country-western music on All Hat And No Cattle.

This album of mostly covers sees the group wearing hearts firmly on cuffed sleeves as they mosey through a collection of songs written by luminaries of the style, including Del Reeves, Merle Haggard, Buck Howard and Waylon Jennings, among others.

As a band, The Dead Peasants can do nothing wrong, with all musicians working as one to create the type of sounds generally associated with boot scooting, chewing beef jerky and spitting tobacco into a metal bucket at the end of a bar.

Vocally, Shiflett could do with more oomph, and the lack of vocal prominence in the mix doesn't help matters. However, the tightness of the band makes it easy to forgive this minor flaw and instead focus on the overall package, which is a respectful tip of the hat to the band's musical heroes.

Launching out of the rodeo gates with Don Rich & The Buckaroos' Guitar Pickin' Man, this song exudes the upbeat sentiment the rest of the collection embraces, with its twanging string plucks and laidback toe-tapping feel.

It's a testament to the skill of all involved that the tracks on this release were all recorded live, with only vocals and Marty Rifkin's pedal steel added later. As a mellow way to while away an hour with a pool cue in hand, this album fits like a comfy boot.