Split Lip Rayfield
Split Lip Rayfield play a souped-up blend of bluegrass, old-time, and cow punk, and they flat tear it up. Their motto is speed and more speed, a goal that demands a measure of dexterity from this east Kansas trio on banjo, acoustic guitar, and "Stitchgiver" (a jimmy-rigged pickup gas tank with Weedwhacker string). While most songs begin with nearly the same manic guitar run, the differences quickly emerge, as do their Austin inspirations: "Combine," about a good ol' boy looking to find a new gal, sounds like Bad Livers; "Outlaw," a bank robber's boast, could be the Meat Purveyors. Like too much insurgent country, this occasionally leans to the winking side, but Rayfield's fierce picking will still "kick your ass from here to Mexico."--David Cantwell