★★★★

Where My Heart Brokeis the third release from honky-tonk aficionados The Bakersfield Glee Club, and while they stay close to their roots, they do travel some more Aussie-inflected country roads.

‘Sweet Bird Of Youth’, the raucous, Southern-rock-washed ‘Drinks Are On The House’ and the waltzy ‘Thank You’are all standout tracks.True to their hard country/West Nashville sound, it’s enjoyable listening whether in close vicinity to an actual bar or stuck behind the wheel. ‘Sit Here And Drink’, meanwhile, forays into a more Tamworth-sounding country style, with a stronger melody, keys and an emphasis on strings.

The album also includes a bold cover of Hank Mills’ classic ‘Little Ole Wine Drinker Me’, though it may take a few moments to recognise the song, a cracking deviation from the standard Dean Martin version. It all ends on a high note, a melancholy instrumental titled ‘Clementine’, taking listeners back to Ry Cooder’s work on the Paris, Texas soundtrack, or Marco Beltrami’s score for The Three Burials Of Melquiades Estrada.

All you need is a frosted pint, a pair of good boots, a Stetson and a bar to lean on and you’ve got yourself a perfect Sunday afternoon.

The Bakersfield Glee Club‘sWhere My Heart Brokeis released independently and out now.

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