Cross Canadian Ragweed’s newest release “Mission California” is more of the same from the band, and that’s a good thing.
“Mission California,” the band’s ninth album, comes two years after the band’s last studio release, 2005’s “Garage.”
What’s even more exciting than the first new material from Ragweed in two years is the fact that “Mission California” seriously deserves its place in the band’s album catalog.
In an industry that sees band members come and go on a fairly regular basis, Ragweed has remained unchanged since its formation in 1994. The group, made up of Cody Canada, Grady Cross, Jeremy Plato and Randy Ragsdale, has remained the same for 13 years and this has helped keep the band’s sound and attitude consistent.
Despite being generally classified in the country music genre, anyone who has been to a Cross Canadian Ragweed show knows that the band is more appropriately classified as rock than traditional, honky-tonk country. It has a gritty rock sound that makes the band so unique.
The album’s first single “I Believe You” has already found radio airplay. It comes as a refreshing change of pace on airwaves dominated by over-played acts like Kenny Chesney and Carrie Underwood (how many times can one possibly hear “Before He Cheats” on the radio before it leads to insanity?). Although not as powerful as past singles “Alabama” and “Sick & Tired,” the guitar-driven “I Believe You” is precisely what the country music scene needs.
A song about staying true to one’s music regardless of the pressures of record labels and radio stations, “Record Exec,” the album’s first track, perfectly sums up the band’s attitude toward selling out.
In fact, despite its national success, the band still retains its Oklahoma roots. Several songs make reference to the Sooner state. “In Oklahoma,” co-written by Canada and Stoney LaRue, the lyrics recall the social and political history of the oil-rich state.
Overall, the album is fast-paced and loud, but it slows down with one of the its best songs. “Lawrence” combines Canada’s strong voice with harmony vocals by Grammy-winning artist Lee Ann Womack. Womack is well known for her radio-friendly ballads such as “I Hope You Dance” and “I May Hate Myself In the Morning.” A seemingly unusual pairing, Womack and Ragweed actually have a history of performing together. She also provided harmony vocals, on 2004’s “Sick & Tired,” arguably one of the band’s most recognizable tracks. Her voice is a perfect complement to Canada’s in “Lawrence.”
Like other Texas country artists Pat Green and Jack Ingram, Ragweed’s success on the radio has allowed the band to play larger venues across the country. As they become more nationally popular, there are fewer opportunities to see Ragweed live in Texas. However, in honor of its new album, the band returns to the metroplex this week for a CD release party.
Ragweed is hosting the CD release party and a concert at Billy Bob’s Texas in Fort Worth on Thursday night. Tickets are $15, which includes a copy of “Mission California.” Be sure to get there early if you want anything close to a good view of the stage, it will likely sell out. The show begins at 9 p.m.
