Tomorrow's Sounds Today
Though Dwight Yoakam is tagged with a well-deserved (and in his case complimentary) "outsider" label, he is, ironically, one of country music's most accessible artists.Tomorrow's Sounds Today, his follow-up to the wonderful, acoustic-onlyDwightyoakamacoustic.net, is proof. While it may be difficult to think of Yoakam as accessible--his music and persona are brash, cocky throwbacks to the days when slightly dangerous country artists actuallydidfall off their barstools--he has become so adept at incorporating a broad palate of influences that music fans of many stripes feel comfortable with the Kentucky cowboy. OnTomorrow's Sounds Today, Yoakam again reaches to hard-driving, old-school, honky-tonk country as the main ingredient while leavening the mix with jolting shots of rockabilly, Tex-Mex shuffle, and ain't-love-heartbreakin' sentiment. Yoakam's primary influence,Buck Owens, guests on three tracks, "The Sad Side of Town", "I Was There" (featuring Pete Anderson's growling guitar work), and "Alright, I'm Wrong," which showcases the accordion ofFlaco Jimenez. Elsewhere, Yoakam delivers rocking country backbeats, memorable hooks, dusty down-home waltzes in full drawl, even a cover ofCheap Trick's "I Want You to Want Me." As usual, Yoakam's impeccable band is up to the task, handling the songs with ease while not sacrificing a single volt of electricity.--S. Duda