There is plenty here that will appeal to redneck women and men alike. The slide guitar driven “Trucker Man” is presented in honor of men that drive six days (and more) on the road, while “Blue Collar Done Turned Red” is backwoods patriotism. The latter shows how Wilson has much more in common with Charlie Daniels than just a country-rock style, while the former is believable up until the point of mentioning a statuette of Mary on the dashboard. (Is there such thing as a Catholic redneck)?
The best song on Wilson’s new disc is all about cat fights, and is titled “The Earrings Song”. With a lyric that warns another woman away from her man, Wilson threatens to protect her precious jewelry -- before laying this home wrecker flat. “A man like mine’s worth fighting for,” she reminds. The song also bounces along with a peppy country groove, much like a fine Bakersfield Buck Owens song.
Although “Outlaws and Renegades” is about that great ‘70s period in country music when guys like Waylon, Willie, and Cash were adventurous hit-makers, it’s also an ode those who think for themselves. But Wilson doesn’t see the same unique spirit nowadays, whether musically or socially. “I guess the outlaws and renegades days are gone,” she complains. And while she doesn’t say so in this particular song, this disc’s overall message is obviously Wilson’s attempt to present herself as a modern day outlaw/renegade.
Like any good country renegade, Wilson has also included a drinking song in this collection. “Walk on Water” is not a warning about the harm alcohol can do to a life, nor how it is a seeming remedy for the post breakup blues. Instead, this lyric is all about the high one gets from drinking the hard stuff. In fact, she puts drunkenness in spiritual terms, comparing it to miraculous water walking.
Yes, Wilson has your country right here, so long as your country aligns itself with Gretchen’s take on the form. She’s a jeans-wearing, anti-Martina. There is a lot of guts, but no glamour. In an age where female singers are all about creating fairy tales for Southern belles, Wilson would much rather get a little mud on the tires. This disc closes with a song called “I’d Love to Be Your Last”. It’s about as realistic as contemporary romance gets. Wilson doesn’t pretend to be any virgin, in love for the very first time. Rather, this is a song about finding true love, after making many experimental mistakes.
If you’re a tomboy, you’ll love this music. It’s even recommended for princesses where their inner rednecks are just bursting to get out. But more than anything else, Wilson wins a victory for individuality. If you’re looking for cookie cutter, contemporary country, you better move along.
You can support Gretchen Wilson by purchasing this album at Amazon CD | Amazon mp3 | iTunes.
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