Modbilly (2 CDs)

I have nothing but love for Billy and the Boys. His stories on stage were a gas- and its obvious he's writing and singin' from the heart- and that makes good songs. The blend of styles...the unique harmonies, the fun, its simply Rock-a-Billy perfect. I'd put it right up there with early Beatles, Honeydrippers, Buck, and Dwight. I think long after you and I are gone- people will continue to realize just how sweet the Boxmasters work is...This is close to the only music worth listening to being created today. And if you can't handle a few lyrics that are a little 'out there' then stick to Mozart. So what if Bobby's not a Cubs fan...nobodys perfect! ...I forgive you Bobby...keep on singin' This and the first BOX are well worth the money- A+

As with their previous release (not counting the Christmas album), The Boxmasters' MODBILLY suffers from one fatal flaw: too much. Two disks is a bit much, even if the music is of the highest quality. The solution to this problem: don't listen to it all at once. There. Problem solved.

Thornton, Andrew, and Butler have crafted another fine album of Buck Owens-meets-The Beatles tunes. As with their previous release (and Thornton's four solo albums), the songs range from the witty ("That's Why Tammy Has My Car"), to the dirty ("Reasons for Livin"), to the introspective and tender ("I Never Let You Cry"). Thornton's songwriting abilities are truly astounding, as he's showed throughout his musical career, and his bandmates (Butler in particular) also have the knack (Butler's self-penned "You Crossed the Line" is an album highlight). The surprising thing here, as with the previous album, is that the originals hold their own with the covers. When it comes to Disc 2...Read more

Ok, so let me state up front that this is not rockabilly. It is country, pure and simple - but five-star country music at that.

Every rockabilly fan - myself included - likes to listen to some fine country every now and then, and Modbilly by The Boxmasters is, I believe, an excellent choice. Great upbeat tunes, hardly any of the whining that so many (otherwise excellent) country musicians like to indulge in for some reason unknown to me, lots of excellent self-written tracks and an equal number of well-chosen covers.
(I would like to add, though, that as far as covers of "Gentle On My Mind" go, no-one comes close to the German roots band Smokestack Lightnin' - their version is the perfect fast-paced slow song, if you know what I mean.)

I must admit that I did not know about Billy Bob Thornton's musician side until about a year ago, but I sure am glad I found out.
This release will appeal to all fans of quality roots music.