Description:
Southern California country-rockers The Hickmen can thank Cracker`s Johnny Hickman for their name. A friend and fan of the twang-rockin` guitarist, with whom they once performed, they can also thank him for some leads on a few numbers here. And, if that weren`t enough, one of his songs is featured here on California Dreamin`, a slightly tongue-in-cheek display of the band`s love/hate relationship with their native state. This collection of drawling rockers tackles subjects such as urban sprawl and the homogenization of Southern California - or any other place that supports the pre-fab outlet mall clones. For instance, in "Costco Socks" they glorify "all the crap that Costco`s got" - "one world, one store" - who needs anything more? They send up the right to bear arms in "I Got A Gun" and cite the drug labs and trash in "San Bernardino County Blues". Loose but fun, there is an undeniable spirit here that is forged through the collaborative efforts of the four main Hickmen, all of whom share vocal and writing credits on this surprising effort that reveals humorous truisms faster than the next Starbucks can appear on the horizon. (JustBobs Records)
