One of the best hard country albums of the 1990s
Joe Sixpack -- Slipcue.com | ...in Middle America | 09/25/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Although I'm a pretty picky listener, I have been known to get excited from time to time by a new country album, but it's truly a happy day when I get *this* excited. Now, I'll admit that this Hobart fellow might not be for everyone, but he sure did get my attention... The simple, bright production and Hobart's adenoidal voice bring to mind numerous freewheeling, laissez faire hippie-billy bands from the '70s, particularly folks who were well off the radar, such as Greezy Wheels, Robb Strandlund, or Deadly Earnest. However, Hobart's output is far more consistent than any of those one-hit wonders -- if the truth be told, there isn't a bad song on this album. Thematically it's a little repetitive (one big, toungue-in-cheek, overstated "I can't win, and boy do I know it..." country self-parody, sort of like Dwight Yoakam's last album...), but don't let that stop you... the music is solid and so are his normal-guy, nebbish vocals, and the lyrics are uniformly hilarious and witty. If you're among the ranks of those disappointed by Robbie Fulks' most recent efforts, give this guy a try -- he's not as bluesy, but he's just as brash."
Heart-on-sleeve, tongue-in-cheek -- a darn fine debut.
09/15/1999
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Rex Hobart's songwriting is definitely in the "beers & tears" vein of classic country, but he's obviously got a sense of humor about it that keeps it edgy. Musically, this stuff's great. The band plays very tight and they throw enough curve balls (tempo changes, odd melodies) that it never gets the predictablity that bogs down a lot of other alt-country bands. I've had a chance to see the band perform a couple of times (including a bizarre Bing Crobsby-esque Christmas show that convinced me that they're a cut above the rest). They're a hoot."
When country was served with Grandma's cookin'
Joe Sixpack -- Slipcue.com | 10/30/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Rex Hobart began with backyard Bar-b-ques in old Kansas City. They have come so far, the wheels on the chevy are smokin' a delight. If you like Alternative Country and old country, such as Hank Williams, Rex and the Boys will light the flint to smoke your night away."