Hoedown

On Hoedown, Michigan-based folk-pop artist Wally Pleasant returns with more of his unabashedly quirky style. After the bass-driven surf rock sound of "Chrysler Cordoba," Pleasant counters with the cheerful "Two for One Coupon," complete with a backdrop of soulful female background singers. "VH1 Song" features a playful series of lyrics and tongue-in-cheek references to the music business. His trademark sarcasm continues on "New Action Hero," with his uniquely frantic lyrical structure. The country twang of "Java Jonesin'" and "Home Sweet Home on Wheels" is reminiscent of Reverend Horton Heat. "Folk Singer Manifesto" sounds like a cheerful version of a Billy Bragg song. The storytelling nature of "Cleopatra" is good-natured and charismatic. A cover of Dave Guard's "Scratch & Soda" is the last official song the disc. The song has an almost lounge feel to it, highlighted by Pleasant's echoing vocals. The surprise "This CD Is Over Now" follows, resulting in a surprising and amusing ending. Pleasant co-wrote some of the songs on Hoedown with Andrew Wilkins and Alex Lumelsky. The album was recorded at studios in Detroit and Hamtramck, MI, with a slew of guest musicians. East Lansing, MI's Miranda Records released the disc in 2000.