"Peterbuilt" sticks with the tried and true formula that has served the country music genre so well for so many years. Presenting seven tales of love gone bad, drinking, being broke, and getting made a fool of, Peterbuilt delivers a great sounding record that would make Nashville proud. Whether you like classic or modern country music, I think "Peterbuilt" is going to do it for you. Kicking off with The Empty Bottle, the pedal steel immediately sets the mood and there's pure country misery in the singer's voice as he sings "twice removed, I'm feeling blue, I'd rather sleep on the sidewalk, than sleep next to you. It's never quite enough, just to throw out my stuff. You had to talk about my ma, and sell my baseball cards. So I have to drink all day, just to take my mind away. I don't care what people say; I know she’ll never love me anyway. You'll see my name in the obituary, before you ever see a wedding day." In true country tradition, most of the songs have themes that most regular folks can relate to. Hell, probably more people than will admit to it have been screwed over by a vindictive ex-lover. And who hasn't drunk to forget? Feel Like A Fool follows along the same lines. It's about a girl who leaves a guy, but not before she cleans him out. It’s classic country. It reminds me of the Amazing Rhythm Aces, if anybody remembers them. It also reminded me a little of Hank Williams. Its slower tempo and harmonies, along with the pedal steel, almost gives it a "high lonesome" sound. It doesn't quite reach that level, but it's close enough that I'm sure they could do it, no problem. One of my favorites is Heaven. Its bouncy bass line and catchy melody make this the toe-tapping sing-along song on the record. There are more harmonies on the “Eaglesque” Times Like These, which have a hint of The Best of My Love to them. Half Way takes "a green pill to keep my heart rate down, and I take a blue one to help me get up and get around. Exercise a little each day and at nighttime I drink it away. Life ain't nothing but a mix of the in between. Guess I'll meet myself halfway, hope to see another day. I got a pocket full of cash and a mailbox filled with bills that I have to pay. It's the end of the month. It all comes at once, but I'm going out drinking anyway. I wrote a check for the phone and threw the other bills away." It's country prioritizing at its best.
The production on this album is excellent. It has a great commercial sound, without sounding too slick. Pedal steel, dobro, banjo, fiddle, piano and the guitar all have a real presence. Vocals are mixed front and center. The whole recording has a nice room-filling sound.
Like I said upfront, if you like country music, I think you're definitely going to like "Peterbuilt" from Peterbuilt. The songwriting is strong and the playing is superb. I think I can say with confidence, these guys are the real deal.
Chesapeake Music Monthly
by Michael Macey
