The Derailers,
Soldiers of Love



Label: Palo Duro Records

(3½ out of 5)

When frontman Tony Villanueva left his band of nearly a decade to join the ministry, many assumed the Derailers would just rest in peace. But guitarist Brian Hofeldt stepped into the lead role, and producer Buzz Cason swept in to help the reconstituted band record its sixth studio album.

The Derailers may not be quite the same without the suave Villanueva, but Hofeldt adeptly nudges the band into its new era with his twang-rock lead on the swampy "Donna Sue Earline" (listen), the vintage pop of Cason's "Soldier of Love" (listen), and the Johnny Cash homage "An American Man" (listen).

While there was the one subtraction, the Derailers also made a couple notable additions. Steel guitarist Chris Schlotzhauer gives some life to lyrically languid single "Cold Beer, Hot Women & Cool Country Music," only to be outshone when pianist Sweet Basil McJagger absolutely blisters barrelhouse keys on "Hey Valerie!" (listen).

It may not be the band's best album (Reverb Deluxe maintains that distinction), but Soldiers of Love finds the Derailers at least keeping pace with their earlier days. Not bad for a band most left for dead just a couple years ago.

Reviewed by Patrick Nichols (email)
July 11, 2006