Pickin on Nashville
It's hard to imagine now, when even Shania Twain routinely uses power chords, but the Kentucky Headhunters' first single, a piledriving, quasi-metal transformation of Bill Monroe's "Walk Softly on This Heart of Mine," was a revolutionary record for country in 1990.  With its thumping drums, sheet-metal guitar, and a liquid-fuzztone lead guitar more reminiscent of Blue Cheer than bluegrass, the song sounded like nothing else on country radio. This debut album revealed the ultra-scruffy Headhunters to be a surprisingly traditional group, delving into rockabilly, western swing, and a lot of boogie-woogie.   Unfortunately, most of their explorations are disposable (if not outright unlistenable; cf. "Rock & Roll Angel").  Still, besides the brilliant, album-opening first hit, there are enjoyable moments.  "My Daddy Was a Milkman" is an ominous rocker with a touch of Bo Diddley and intriguing lyrics, and two covers, Don Gibson's standard "Oh Lonesome Me" and Henson Cargill's 1967 fluke social commentary "Skip a Rope," are rocked up excitingly.  And "Dumas Walker" is an irresistible loping country boogie that introduced millions to the titular establishment's delectable menu: "slaw burger, fries, and a bottle of Ski" (a Kentucky knockoff of Mountain Dew).  The Headhunters were musical pioneers, but inconsistent to a fault.--Ken Barnes