Trick Pony

Elvis-style rock meets contemporary country music on Trick Pony's rollicking first single release, "Pour Me," from the band's self-titled debut. The song explodes right out of the starting gate and sets the stage for the rest of the 13-track disc, which is raucous country-rock music. Heidi Newfield, the trio's sassy lead singer, offers a powerhouse of a vocal delivery on Trick Pony, and her sound is reminiscent of Dolly Parton and Bonnie Raitt. Such songs as "Party of One" and "One in a Row," with its calypso-type flavor, offer up good old-fashioned bar fare. Elsewhere, anyone who has ever been broke before will truly appreciate the tongue in cheek "Spent," which genuinely describes the state of only having nickels and dimes as collateral. Johnny Cash and Waylon Jennings guest on the band's redo of Cash's "Big River." And the mid-tempo "Just What I Do," sung by bassist Ira Dean, and "Can't Say That on the Radio," sung by guitarist Keith Burns, have great pop-adult contemporary crossover potential, like many country artists have enjoyed in the early 21st century. While there a few ballads on the album, the most moving is the swaying "Stay in This Moment," which effectively captures the essence of wanting to stop time during a perfect instance shared between lovers. Trick Pony is an ideal listen for those who go to a bar to drink, dance, and forget about their problems. It's also a good pick for people who enjoy music that is real, carefree, sometimes melancholy, as well as rousing. What an impressive first effort by a group that promises to have more shots of whiskey and good songs up their sleeve.