Rachel Harrington & the KnockoutsContinental Song City ****

Remember that nice Rachel Harrington and her quiet, contemplative country music from the Oregon hills? Well, you should hear her now that she's fallen in with the honkytonk crowd. What a mouth! Why, she's singing about sex and stuff – and she sounds like she likes it. A lot. The sound is all rough and ready, dirty, like they just met up and are having a wild ol' time. I bet they've been drinking liquor. And those Knockouts are all gals as well. God knows what their mamas will say. And it ain't just country, neither. The music ranges in influence from Etta James to Loretta Lynn. Harrington ain't hidin', however: "I'm still writing essentially the same stuff . . . It's just that I moved forward in time about 40 years." rachelharrington.net

Download tracks: Makin' Our House a Honkytonk, Love Him or Leave Him to Me, I'll Show You Mine