The Trip Daddys have been one of my favorite bands for a while. They’re best described as psychobilly, but their energetic shows also draw fans of punk and garage. They remind me of Hasil Adkins, the Reverend Horton Heat, and Link Wray. Too Much, Too Fast has stronger country and blues notes than the band’s earlier efforts, and it continues the band’s habit of creating potent mixes of styles within the same song. “Don’t Wanna Know” is an addictive tune, with a rapid-fire chorus that pulls you along whether you want to go or not. Many of the tracks deal with women who are trouble, and the best of these is “All the Above.” “By the Heart,” a love song with bassist Jamey Almond singing lead, is the most purely country track on the album. It’s upbeat and romantic, but the lyrics also conjure powerful images of loneliness and despair amid “the cold walls and the sweating pipes.” Craig Straubinger’s guitar playing forms the core of the group’s intense, unpredictable sound. Doublewide is still the Daddys’ best album, but this one is a great introduction to the band.
–chrispepus (www.tripdaddys.com)