Kevn Kinney and the Golden Palominos: A Good Country Mile

There’s a sense of circa 1969-‘71 grit that defines A Good Country Mile - a sound that has eluded the album’s songwriters Kevn Kinney (Drivin’ n’ Cryin’) and the Golden Palominos’ Anton Fier (Pere Ubu, Feelies, Bob Mould) for most of their respective careers. Both Kinney and Fier have settled into their roles as post-fame underdogs in the secret history of American alt-rock, but here songs such as “Never Gonna Change,” “Set In Stone,” and “Bird” shed any semblance of the arty or collegiate pop affiliations that have defined their past efforts. Country Mile is a workaday, distinctively American rock ‘n’ roll album that resonates with the kind of earnest fortitude that gave bands like the Byrds, Faces, and the James Gang lasting quality. The songs are loose, manly, and full of compelling riffs. No offense guys, but this is the strongest and most focused album that either one of you have made since Ronald Reagan was still president. (4 out of 5 stars)