If it weren't already apparent that the Texas singer/songwriter archetype had become an established subgenre of country music, a listen to Hayes Carll's fourth album, KMAG YOYO (& Other American Stories) ought to confirm it. Carll, a 34-year-old Texas native, plays in honky tonk, country-rock, and country-folk styles so familiar that it's often possible to sing older songs to the music he and his band perform, whether it's the Hank Williams-style "Hard Out Here" or the title song (a military acronym for "Kiss My Ass Guys, ...
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If it weren't already apparent that the Texas singer/songwriter archetype had become an established subgenre of country music, a listen to Hayes Carll's fourth album, KMAG YOYO (& Other American Stories) ought to confirm it. Carll, a 34-year-old Texas native, plays in honky tonk, country-rock, and country-folk styles so familiar that it's often possible to sing older songs to the music he and his band perform, whether it's the Hank Williams-style "Hard Out Here" or the title song (a military acronym for "Kiss My Ass Guys, You're on Your Own"), set to the tune and headlong tempo of Bob Dylan's "Subterranean Homesick Blues." Of course, Carll sings in a wheezy country twang, and his lyrics suggest the barstool wit of an engaging loser. Since he has no interest in doing anything new or different with the musical style, the question is, how well does he function within the tradition of, say, Guy Clark and Townes Van Zandt and Jerry Jeff Walker? And the answer is, often quite well. "KMAG YOYO" itself is sung in the voice of a contemporary teenage G.I. trying to make his way through the Afghanistan morass any way he can; "Another Like You," a duet with Cary Ann Hearst, finds clever ways to set up an opposites-attract one-night stand; "Bottle in My Hand" hauls in a couple of Carll's peers in Corb Lund and Todd Snider to further investigate honky tonk issues; and "Grateful for Christmas" is an affectionate and amusing spoken word take on a family holiday gathering. These are the album's best songs, but the rest are good, too, and the whole is a worthy addition to the ever-growing catalog of sly Texas country-rock. ~ William Ruhlmann, Rovi
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Add this copy of Kmag Yoyo (& Other American Stories) to cart. $6.94, good condition, Sold by Goodwill rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Brooklyn Park, MN, UNITED STATES, published 2011 by Lost Highway.
Add this copy of Kmag Yoyo (& Other American Stories) to cart. $6.95, very good condition, Sold by HPB Inc. rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Dallas, TX, UNITED STATES, published 2011 by Lost Highway.
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Seller's Description:
Very good. Providing great media since 1972. All used discs are inspected and guaranteed. Cases may show some wear. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!
Add this copy of Kmag Yoyo (& Other American Stories) to cart. $6.95, very good condition, Sold by Half Price Books Inc rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Dallas, TX, UNITED STATES, published 2011 by Lost Highway.
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Seller's Description:
Very good. Providing great media since 1972. All used discs are inspected and guaranteed. Cases may show some wear. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!
Add this copy of Kmag Yoyo (& Other American Stories) to cart. $7.79, very good condition, Sold by Half Price Books Inc rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Dallas, TX, UNITED STATES, published 2011 by Lost Highway.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Very good. Providing great media since 1972. All used discs are inspected and guaranteed. Cases may show some wear. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!
Add this copy of Kmag Yoyo (& Other American Stories) to cart. $7.99, good condition, Sold by Service First Media rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Taylorsville, KY, UNITED STATES, published 2011 by Lost Highway.
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Seller's Description:
Good. Includes disc(s), case, booklet, and back artwork. Case, booklet, and artwork will show moderate cosmetic wear. Disc(s) are professionally cleaned and may contain only light scratches that do not effect functionality.
Add this copy of Kmag Yoyo (& Other American Stories) to cart. $9.01, very good condition, Sold by tttkelly1 rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Missouri City, TX, UNITED STATES, published 2011 by Lost Highway.
