Put A Record On: Anyone can be a cowboy (except on Music Row)

Mamas, don't let your babies grow up to be assholes

The Good

“Heartbreak Store,” Lizzie No: I’m as much of a sucker for a good opening line (“the cashier knows the drill” - tell me more!) as I am for plaintive folk-country a la Patty Griffin 1000 Kisses, so of course I love this new one from Lizzie No. Plus there’s line dancing in the video. What more do you want? - MM

“The Devil Is Real,” Pink Williams: Consider this your belated spooky season entry — I absolutely love this song. “There ain’t no business better than/the morally bankrupt pyramid scheme/that he marketed to us as the American Dream,” Williams sing, his ghostly tone perfectly mirroring his incisive, potent lines about the scariest demon of them all: capitalism!! — NW

“Weyerhaeuser Land,” Muscadine Bloodline: I remember when these guys first rolled around, and were maybe supposed to be the next big thing on country radio? Or maybe I just assumed, because Men. Either way, they never seemed to roll in that direction and I’ve been supremely impressed with the brand of country-rock they’re peddling. It’s got edge and tradition rolled into one. - MM