Record Review - 2 June 29 2005

When Dwight Yoakam debuted with Guitars, Cadillacs, Etc., Etc. nearly 20 years ago, his rambunctious, literate take on the standard themes of lovin', lyin' and leavin' made him a welcome gatecrasher in the stagnating realm of mainstream country. Today, that tenacious dependability's also the reason you won't hear him on the radio among country's new brand of pop stars. Mainstream snobbery aside, Yoakam remains one of the genre's most reliable performers.

Backed by a new band (a crack team of L.A. regulars including Telecaster slinger Keith Gattis) and a new label (roots indie New West), Blame the Vain is one of the strongest and most animated sets of Dwight originals to date. The new band adds a Burrito Brothers/New Riders feel to songs like the revved-up "Intentional Heartache" and the weepy "Lucky That Way," two selections that also reinforce Yoakam's inheritance of the wily desert sound best personified by Byrd brothers Gram Parsons, Chris Hillman and Clarence White.

With a somewhat schizophrenic catalog that includes covers of Buck Owens as well as Queen and the Clash, Yoakam's proven his warbly croon can sound good wrapped around just about anything. But it's those sharp, honky-tonk rockers and blue, lonesome ballads like "Three Good Reasons" and "She'll Remember" that prove he's graduated from championing country's old school to become one of its greatest assets.??