From the southern Catskill Mountains of New York State there's a fresh breeze of country wind called Olive Drab. They've combined some of the best elements of alt rock with classical country into a sound truly worthy of the honky-tonk. And more than anything else, this is one of the most fun American bands I've listened to in many years!

Olive Drab's personnel for this CD are Charlene McPherson (vocals), Josh Weingust (drums, electric guitar, piano), Lyle Scott (bass, acoustic guitar, percussion), and Mo Goldner (acoustic guitar, harmonica, vocals). Their trademark melody lines make good use of the guitar. Charlene's vocals take full advantage of the band's backing and pick up where a lot of contemporary country singers have left off. She draws her vocals back and belts them out like a country prizefighter.

These Songs Rarely Ever Sung are the product of Mo's pen, with a bit of contribution from Lyle and Charlene. They don't water down anything or mince words. "Cool Weather Lovers" talks about the sweat of the two-backed mattress beast in terms that a lot of us north country party animals can relate to. "In My Bed" explores the organic cycle of the job, the bar, and the nursing home. There's none of that roses for the flawless lover nonsense here, folks.

"Behind" and "Out of My Mind" showcase the band's hand at various advanced styles of country blues. "What If I Stay" captures those embarrassing moments after last call when two people are left at the bar wondering about what might transpire after the parking lot.

The premier song in my opinion is "When I'm Skinny." It features a snaky bass line that resonates with snakes in the grass like the American Medical Association and its recommendations for body weight that mysteriously cohere with those of psychiatric casualties like Maria Carey and Cindy Crawford. Charlene gets lots of extra bonus points for lyrics like "the girls I see on MTV / who shake their ass / they don't look like me" and nobody gives a shit about the music.

So ends another installment of my attempts to think locally but review globally. Songs Rarely Ever Sung is an impressive debut album that's left me waiting impatiently for the next releases. Keep an ear to the tour rail and catch Olive Drab if they set up stage in your town.

[Mike Stiles]