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<\/a><\/p>\nI have been a fan of Craig Gerdes since his 2018 release Smokin, Drinkin and Gamblin. That record featured some good rockin\u2019 country music with some great songwriting on tracks like \u201cDead In A Box In Kentucky\u201d and \u201cRed Neck Sonsaabitches\u201d. His new record Tough As Nails picks up where that one left off with plenty of hot guitar pickin and good country songs. Let\u2019s take a dive into some of these new tracks.<\/span><\/p>\n The title track \u201cTough As Nails\u201d starts off acoustic with focus on Gerdes\u2019s vocals. It\u2019s the calm before the storm though as the full track kicks in hard with driving guitar riffs that echo the rocking country sounds of the late 70\u2019s or 80\u2019s. Be sure to check out the alternate bonus track version with longer jams. Up next on the album is a cover of the Roger Alan Wade cut \u201cIf Guitars Were Guns\u201d. This song appeared on the 2012 Roger Alan Wade album Southbound Train and it was a favorite of mine off that record too. Gerdes takes the mostly acoustic Wade track and turns it into a barn burner that honors the spirit of the original while keeping it in the style of this record. Be sure to check out the extended 7 minutes plus bonus track version of this one also.<\/span><\/p>\n Another favorite is \u201cHighwayman\u201d which is an ode to life on the road. I particularly dig the guitar solo on this track and can imagine it being a longer affair when played live. The sound changes up a bit on the country blues inspired \u201cThe Hard Way\u201d which is about the rougher side of a country singer\u2019s life. The solo work on this one is a highlight with it\u2019s bluesy sound and great pickin. The song \u201cTonight\u2019s Not The Night” is another great rockin honky tonk tune that starts out with a hot guitar riff and doesn\u2019t let go, just like the rest of the album. <\/span><\/p>\n This is a record that will be fun to hear live when live shows start up again. A lot of these tracks would play well in a live honky tonk setting with a rowdy crowd. The album has two bonus tracks that are extended versions of album tracks. I like that these songs get this kind of treatment, however I get the feeling that you could extend most of these songs with longer solos and jams with alternate arrangements. I can\u2019t wait to see Craig Gerdes live again with some of these songs. Until then, you can support the band at their website with this link<\/a>. Tough As Nails is out everywhere as of April 24th, 2020.<\/span> Favorite Tracks : <\/b>Tough As Nails, If Guitars Were Guns, Highwayman, The Hard Way. Tonight\u2019s Not The Night<\/span><\/p>\n
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