If your idea of rockabilly is The Reverend Horton Heat or that tired Mike Ness solo album you just might need your head examined. And somebody should give you a copy of this record. I may sound like I’ve got a chip on my shoulder but rock ‘n’ roll music, and rockabilly specifically has never been about how many tattoos you have. Sadly, a lot of people have been turned off by the recent chain wallet army, most of whom wouldn’t know Bob Luman if he rose from the jukebox and stared ’em dead between the eyes. That’s why it’s such a relief that Kim Lenz is around doing the right thing: writing good songs, and making great records. Authentic in all the right ways, yet not adhering to stringent formulas, the Jaguars celebrate what made this music so great to begin with.

Recorded at Kingsway studios during Jazz Fest last year, those masters of simplicity, Wally Hersom and Big Sandy of the Fly-Rite Boys spun the knobs and did an excellent job. Leyland, of course, occupied the piano stool. Aside from Kim’s originals and a few well chosen classics, Sandy and Carl contributed a song apiece, both standouts. Sandy’s truth telling “Somebody Lied” has his name stamped all over it while Carl’s “Comin’ Back Strong” is a revenge epic with lyrics so punk rock only he could’ve written them. Kim turns in a beautiful ballad with “Truest Love”, and a lowdown rocker with “Howl At The Moon”.

Simple, straightforward and basic, there’s nothing here that shouldn’t be. Just the rock solid, jazzy rhythm section and most impressive of all, lead guitarist Nick Curran. Weaving exciting, unpredictable lines around Kim’s vocals he sounds like T-Bone Walker one minute and Link Wray the next, shattering all echo-laden rockabilly stereotypes with a straight-up, distorted sound very similar to Paul Burlison’s on Johnny Burnette’s “Train Kept A Rollin.” A valuable right hand man if there ever was one, his twang and raunch are truly a joy to behold in these days of soulless, boring perfection. As is this album.