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A D V E R T I S E M E N T
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A D V E R T I S E M E N T
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Spur 503
I’m Ready\r\n(Self-released)
By Jeff Prince
I’m Ready, the debut full-length from Denison-based Spur 503, is indicative of the current state of Texas Music, the good and bad of Outlaw, the yin and yang of Y’all. Here’s a new band with fresh faces, a catchy name, a fine web site, and a disc that’s easy enough to enjoy but that makes zero attempt to forge new territory. The band describes itself as “an eclectic mix of back-porch country, southern rock, and western swing ... where red dirt meets Texas Country.” A less loquacious (and more skeptical) person might be tempted to call them “absolutely indistinguishable.” The recipe is familiar: Get a rhythm section, electric guitarist, fiddler, and a strained vocalist who sports an accent as thick as muh-lay-sis. Work up some basic two-step material, honkytonk blues, the obligatory “Longhaired Country Boy” clone, and a ballad or three, and don’t go more than a minute without mentioning Texas, booze, broken hearts, or mama (“The Mama Song” is one of the album’s best). Then get Texas Music superstar Gary P. Nunn to produce the whole shebang, and voila! A brand spanking new product that sounds as well worn as a favorite pearl-snap shirt with the sleeves already cut off.
“As long as I remember, beer’s been my best friend, honkytonks and neon lights, they always seem to suck me in” lead singer and primary songwriter Chance Cody (did his mama really name him that?) sings on “I’m Gonna Feel That in the Morning.” That’s about as deep as this album gets. Not that there’s anything wrong with that. The world needs the likes of Spur 503 to show up at the honkytonks and dives and play the marathon gigs with gusto and drink with fans and close down the joints with a roar. So what if their music is wholly derivative? It’s cool.
The album is available at www.spur503.com and at the band’s shows across Texas and Oklahoma. Spur 503’s next scheduled Tarrant County appearance isn’t until May 13 at the White Elephant Saloon, but they can be seen in Denison before then.
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