Sometimes the whiskey works, sometimes it don't at all, but at least I'm slowing down the fall...

Hot Apple Pie's debut self-titled album came twelve years after Brady Seals left the band Little Texas, following a string of minor solo records (only one, "Another You, Another Me" even made the country top-40). Going back to the Little Texas playbook, Hot Apple Pie is a mishmesh of redneck showboating and country-pop hybrids. Starting with the first single, "Hillbillies", the band seem to be a fresh and loose outfit, with a funky non-traditional groove that belies its inane sexual lyrics. However, right after that comes a string of Little Texas-style numbers, including the crazily insipid "We're Making Up" (I can imagine her breaking back up after it) and "California King", which overtreads the "road-to-riches" story. "Easy Does It" is a breezy if not totally exciting single, which leads to the hokey "The Good Life". The middle of the record, though bring some good songs to go with their good musicianship, with an inspired go at Robbie Robertson's "The Shape I'm In" and a bar-room duet with Willie Nelson, "Slowin' Down The Fall". Unfortunately right after that comes the slogan-waving "Redneck Revolution" and a few more filler tunes before the disjointed "live-like" closer "All Together Now". While the songs themselves are pretty basic for someone who's been in the business for so long, the band's grasp of harmony and musicianship are quite notable. Hopefully with a few more relaxed tunes and a focused theme Hot Apple Pie's next move may be something to watch.

Grade: C-
Best Cuts: "The Shape I'm In", "Slowing Down The Fall"
Weakest Links: "Redneck Revolution", "All Together Now"

Hot Apple Pie (the album) hit #6 country, #60 pop albums.
"Hillbillies" hit #26 country, #122 on the pop "Bubbling Under" chart.
"We're Makin' Up" hit #54 country.
"Easy Does It" made #50 country.

To Buy Hot Apple Pie try here or here.

To listen to "Hillbillies" right-click here to bring up new window to hear.