There’s a certain endearing, meat-and-potatoes quality to the Lazy Cowgirls. Like those they’ve influenced (Supersuckers, Streetwalkin’ Cheetahs, Speedbuggy) the ‘girls play ramblin’ country-esque punk rock that even your dad would enjoy if he had a few beers in him. And with every subsequent release, the band gets a little more ambitious, moving farther away from their balls-out, garage-burning meltdown interpretations of the 13th Floor Elevators and the Ramones. I’m Goin’ Out and Get Hurt Tonight is another step in that “respectable” direction which may be artistically satisfying for the band, but might be kinda pushin’ it with longtime fans. There’s still plenty of barnstormers, like the intro track “Burnin’ Daylight” and “Baby You Gotta Be Shittin’ Me.” Acoustic musings like “You Might Be Lost Now” and “The Risin’ Sun Over Naga-Gun” are as powerful as their most rocking numbers, replete with the lonely squawking of lead vocalist/guitarist Pat Todd’s harmonica. The band also takes the opportunity to re-write “Goddamn Bottle”—one of their finest early tracks—giving it that extra sheen that only a better recording budget can produce.
–eric (Reservation)