Modbilly (2 CDs)

Comment: Despite the fact that the Austin music crowd generally dis BBT as another spoiled movie star I really liked this release. The disc with his original work was filled with great lyrics and excellent production qualities. I loved the diversity of the tunes on the cover disc. I have not been able to find any news about the Boxmasters since their tour debackle this summer so I fear that Bill Bob's ego has once more resulted in the end to something good.

Comment: Not only can BB act, but he can sing, too. Thanks Billy Bob for sharing your talent with fellow lovers of all kinds of music. I still enjoy watching Slingblade (among others, of course), and I know that I will be listening to Modbilly for years to come.

Comment: Billy Bob Thornton prides himself on not using synthesizers or any other method to make "artificial music." However, this album is just dull and boring.

Comment: This latest from Billy Bob & co is good, but no better than their debut. Still listening (first time 'round) to the 2nd disc, but its the original stuff I pay more attention to.
The Boxmasters are a promotor's dream in some ways. But the world simply just may not be ready for them, & that's not the band's fault. They have a certain unique style & theme, much like The Travelling Wilburys had.
The lyrics Billy Bob is coming up with are already getting a bit tired (sorry Billy). And although I know it's all part of their gimmickery, I truly do prefer Billy Bob's solo stuff, where much more of the content is in serious mode.
Maybe with subsequent listens I'll grow to love this release as much as the first. Time will tell. In the meantime, for any of you out there looking for some new blood, a new artist with fair-dinkum great talent, check out Ryan Bingham. The man is the real deal! If you like Steve Earle & everything he stands for, you will not be disappointed!

Comment: 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 ("Theirs"), the boys improved some; THE BOXMASTERS featured a second disc that was really one long medley. Here, they've cut the songs down so that each one stands on its own. This gives us a little more time to appreciate their interpretations of these classic songs, from tunesmiths ranging from Roger Miller to Kenny Loggins.

I recommend you buy the physical CD; it comes with a few little extras, including a poster and some "character" cards (Thornton was apparently voted "Most Likely to Pee Outside"). Still, if owning CDs isn't your thing anymore, then get this album any way you can. The Boxmasters represent the past and future of country music; they've taken old-fashioned melodies and honest lyrics and made some incredible rockabilly music. MODBILLY shrugs any sophomore blues and comes out swinging.