Release date: April 4, 2006
11 tracks, 42:54

I'll admit that I'm not much of a country music fan. Sure, there are moments when I could listen to the Dixie Chicks or Johnny Cash, but for the most part, I'm a rock fan.

When Shooter Jennings' latest album, "Electric Rodeo," fell on my desk, I had reservations about giving it a shot.

I hesitated to even bother popping it in the CD player. Aside from his famous heritage - he's the son of Waylon Jennings, I knew little about him.

I know Hank Williams III is more metal than one would expect, so I thought I'd give Jennings' album a shot.

The first few notes of the title track had me hooked. A nice rocker, "Electric Rodeo" eliminated any predisposed notion that this was a country album.

"Gone to Carolina" - of course, I live in North Carolina - is almost a modern-day "Sweet Home Alabama." It's a Southern rocker with a lot of groove to it.

Sure, the album has its country tracks - and a little too much slide guitar for my taste ("The Song is Still Slipping Away") - but it was enough to get me interested in catching him at Ziggy's this month (April 14).

There are moments when Jennings finds the spirit of his father - "Some Rowdy Women" - but for the most part, he tries to break out of the shadow.

I haven't heard his debut, "Put the 'O' Back in Country," but I may have to check it out after hearing his latest effort.

The album may not have me going out and listening to more country music, but it will definitely have me listening to more of Shooter Jennings.

Posted by jeffhahnedisabled at April 2, 2006 8:06 AM