Ah, there’s something so nostalgic, comforting, and pure about Texas Country music. It’s real and raw; it’s the barebones of country music. As soon as you start listening, you find yourself transported back to a simpler, seemingly happier time period, one when people still waltzed the night away on barroom and dancehall floors. The Randy Rogers Band is the embodiment of what Texas Country is all about. The Texas-based band consists of Randy Rogers, Geoffrey Hill, John Richardson, Brady Black, and Les Lawless. They have recorded four studio albums and two live albums, and have charted seven singles on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart. And here they are now, back with a recently released record and a brand new single.
Now I have to admit, I wasn’t familiar with Randy Rogers Band up until I was given the task of reviewing Randy Rogers’ album with Wade Bowen, Hold My Beer, Vol 1. I’m so glad I was given the job, as I became a fast fan and thoroughly enjoyed the record. Hold My Beer, Vol. 1 eventually peaked at #4 on the charts, and received a great deal of praise from critics, and justifiably so. Obviously, after having enjoyed that record, I jumped at the chance to review the band’s latest offering, Nothing Shines Like Neon, which was released earlier in January. My excitement and expectations for the record were fulfilled, as it was a solid, enjoyable record, and one that I immediately added to my music collection.
Randy Rogers Band has recently released “Neon Blues” as their latest single from the record, and I admit, I’m very pleased with the choice as it happens to be one of my favorites on the album. The single finds a woman at a bar drinking her troubles away. The song tells the tale of a young woman trying to get over a man who did her wrong and left her. She doesn’t seem to currently have a positive outlook on love anymore, due to the fact that she’s had such bad luck with men and relationships. The narrator tells the listener that she’s not looking for love, that tonight she’s just looking to get her ex off her mind and drown her “neon blues”.
The single happens to be one of the standouts on the record, and like I said before, one of my favorites. “Neon Blues” is just one of those songs that as soon as it starts you just know it’s going to be a great song. There’s not a specific reason for this, at least not one you can put your finger on, it’s just a feeling you get. No matter the reason, “Neon Blues” is pure honky tonk gold. Sadly the song has a next to nothing chance of getting airplay on mainstream country radio, but in the end, who really cares anyway? Mainstream country radio hasn’t really reflected what the majority of true country fans like and want to hear anyway. Regardless, have a listen and don’t forget to grab their latest record, Nothing Shines Like Neon.
Originally posted here.
