music

Jason Boland & The Stragglers

Comal County Blue

Sharing Garth Brooks’ stomping ground of Stillwater, Okla., Jason Boland & The Stragglers bear surface resemblances to the many hard-driving bands the Red Dirt scene springs forth regularly. The differences come with Jason’s voice, a Waylonesque baritone that suits the Stragglers’ insistent thump, and his songwriting. The songs on Comal County Blue vividly chronicle the thoughts of a regular guy trying to make sense of the world and only occasionally succeeding, while keeping one eye on the reasons he keeps trying—mostly love and the promise of a good party at the end of the day.

• October 20, 2008
• by Chris Neal