Who says outlaw country is dead? are a rough-hewn, edgy, honky tonk band from Flint, MI, and they embody the spirit of , , and from the '70s. That said, this is no mere tribute band; they also have an unsentimental, rock & roll attitude from the rust belt's DNA. This isn't "alt-country" or Americana. -- ( ) on guitar and vocals, on bass, on drums, fiddle player , and pedal steel player -- offer hard-edged, 2-stepping, beer-soaked barroom music. Their unsubtle brand of outlaw country is likely going to appeal more to factory workers and bikers than it will to the pressed-shirt-and-jeans-cowboy-hat-wearing young fans of contemporary country. Their self-titled sophomore effort -- and debut album for Chicago's imprint -- contains seven originals and four well-chosen covers recorded at 's Woodstock studio. The set opens with a slow-burn reading of 's and the night ride is on. Former sideman handles the pedal steel chores on this one, and 's rich baritone delivers the authority of one who knows what he is. The band plays a solid 4/4 stride with accents on the two and four; they weave nasty Telecasters, unadorned fiddles, and up-top basslines with the snare/hi-hat combos underneath. is an homage to the music of and (the latter is name-checked). The layered fiddles, whining pedal steel, and 2-step beat create a perfect atmosphere for drinking. is a rambling, restless, open-road-rolling,12-bar -esque blues about the 235-acre manufacturing complex in Flint that was torn down in 2002. The message is clear: I gotta get going, gotta get out. is a gorgeous lounge weeper with accordion by . are executed with a looser, rawer feel, but add levels of meaning to the originals with their under-the-radar rock swagger. The highest points here are 's own songs: they are disciplined, often clever, and always written to be played by this particular band live and without compromise. are the real deal: working class outlaws who love country to the core. Highly recommended. ~ Thom Jurek