Although by no means a required characteristic, it seems bands that have some sly humor in their songs manage to collect a fan base that sustains them over generations. Â The Austin Lounge Lizards come to mind, as does Southern Culture On the Skids. Â The legendary Little Feat even managed to soldier through the loss of Lowell George. Â Maybe in a few years we’ll add The Deadfields to that list.
Their recent release, Often Wrong, Never In Doubt, starts with Cuttin’ Ties with a wry observation on all the break-ups one has over the years, finishing with an anecdote about getting together with buddies to reminisce about them. Â Then comes the title track, perhaps the best song ever written about self-confidence. Â If It Don’t Matter gets to the point with a “blah, blah, blah is all I ever hear” verse. Â The final song, The Joneses, is all about *not* keeping up with the neighbor. Â And don’t even get me started on the bluegrass version of the Nirvana mega-hit All Apologies.
The band is not a one trick pony, though. Â There’s plenty of musical meat to this album as well. Â The title track also has really solid harmonies and features band members on banjo, guitar, and dobro. Â Let It Rain also has those nice harmonies and trades leads back and forth in a Drive-By Truckers style. Â The Road Beckons is more straight ahead rock and roll with the classic observation that when you’re on the road with family at home you’re “together, but still alone”.
 I’m looking forward to hearing more from these guys.  They have a good variety in the mix of the songs they write and a tight sound that belies a band that’s only been together a couple of years.  As of the writing of this entry, you can go to their web site and download the album for a donation that goes to the Songs For Kids Foundation.  So here’s a chance to listen to some good new music this weekend and do something good for the world.  How can you resist?
About the author: I've actually driven from Tehatchapee to Tonopah. And I've seen Dallas from a DC-9 at night.