This album more than lives up to its predictive title. Joe Diffie explores many of the different reactions a honky tonk angle entails. Yes, it’s about having a good time, that’s true. However, sometimes a honky tonk leaning also involves drinking away the memories of a failed relationship, and Diffie’s George Jones-worthy singing on the tortious ballad “If I Had Any Pride At All” hits that mark, decidedly. After all, not every trip to the bar is intended for a celebration.
A few of these songs, though, have most certainly kept a few dance floors beautifully busy. In addition to the album’s title track, there’s “Prop Me Up Beside the Jukebox (If I Die),” which is a diehard’s anthem, and the all too truthful, “I Can Walk The Line (If It Ain’t Too Straight),” a kind of anti-“I Walk the Line.” Also, that honky tonk attitude can also be a little hokey. Only a country singer (with said honky tonk attitude) can sing a farmer’s song like “John Deere Green,” complete with its reference to Billy Bob. Diffie ends the album with “Cold Budweiser And A Sweet Tater,” which is a western swing-influenced call-and-response hot-stepper.
Diffie’s Honky Tonk Attitude is contagious. Listening to this album may make you want even more of this variety of Saturday night, beer-saturated country music. Thus, mission accomplished.
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