You just know something is more than a little wicked in this world from the first time you hear Hank Ray's so smooth baritone delivery bringing songs of delirium, loss and sacrifice. This is the darker side of country western pop mushed and smeared in the face of every lonely franchised bar along America's 21st century highways. These are the songs that we live… not some namby cheer fest. You can't help but open the door from the opening strains of violin, guitar and thubbing bass in "Endless Plains"
Yes, every night is filled with some "Trail of Dark Desire". Here it isn't evil as much as cool, detached, bleeding and forbidden. This is country with the reverb and echo of hot afternoons. The guitar walks behind and defines our thoughts and moans, but Hank Ray rides above the languid shuddering dreams. The Vegas parlor organ bridge's waves of songs I've seen tired waitresses dance to. In the end, we'll all probably meet at some heartless "Bar-B-Q of Souls" but at least it will sound good. A world of "Bleeding (all over you)" and "Saturday Satan" can't be that far from any of our fears or desires. Come in, Hank welcomes us, it's just that we'll always be watching him perform the soundtrack to our fragile imperfect days. I think Hank Williams would feel these stories as so 21st century true.
Jim Visser May, 20th 2007
