The Hickman-Dalton Gang Illustrate Life with Feeling and Humor in "Volume 2"

An album that is truly a favorite should touch your soul and make it impossible not to play it repeatedly. 2011 saw the release of two highly anticipated independent albums: Roger Clyne & the Peacemakers' "Unida Cantina" and the Hickman-Dalton Gang's "Volume 2." Both albums deliver thoughtful lyrics and incredible music and have satisfied the bands' respective rabid, growing fan bases. While "Unida Cantina" is a masterpiece in its own right, it's the Hickman-Dalton Gang that I find myself listening to nearly every day, making "Volume 2" my favorite album of 2011.

"Volume 2," which reached #77 on the iTunes Country charts, is the follow up to 2007's "Volume 1." While "Volume 1" was more of a moody, acoustic venture through the dusty West, "Volume 2" is a mix of fun, longing, and reflection. Opening with the upbeat rocker "Wildcard" and closing with the haunting "Long White Line," "Volume 2" covers the gamut in between. Johnny Hickman (Cracker) and Jim Dalton (Roger Clyne & the Peacemakers, Railbenders) showcase the depth of their songwriting, guitar playing, and vocal abilities on these ten diverse tunes. Evoking an emotional journey, "Volume 2" will leave a lasting impression that demands a constant presence in any playlist.

One thing that makes "Volume 2" such a standout is the storytelling. Hickman and Dalton take the everyday - relationships, regret, finding your place in life, goofing off - and make it exceptional. "Volume 2" illustrates life with a mix of feeling and humor, as Johnny and Jim emotionally and expertly sing their tales.

In the song "Elizabeth," my favorite on the album, the yearning is clearly evident as Dalton declares his unshakable desire to a lucky girl named Liz. "And how I need you. Tonight I need you. Liz how I miss you, and how I wish that you were here with me tonight." What girl doesn't want to hear such an admission from a man so obviously enchanted with her? The guitar in this song seems to sing too, both in the background and accenting lines in the song. It's a perfectly sweet but not sappy song.

In "(Come On Back To) Stockton," Hickman paints a wistful tale of an outgrown friendship from the person left behind. The upbeat music belies the loneliness and pain that is conveyed by the pleading of the chorus ("Come on, come on, come on back to Stockton. If not for good at least for a little while"). Through recalled moments, there is an unmistakable pull for simpler times from a loyal friend: "Now memories are faded like the clippings on the wall. I know you've got my number, when you can you'll call."

"Too Many Years" is another story of "remember when," with Dalton fondly reminiscing on younger days with a regretful undertone of the inevitable passage of time. Musically, the steel strings accentuate a longing, the piano sets a somber tone, and the beautiful Spanish guitar lightens the mood with a reminder to enjoy the moment. "So tonight my good friends let's enjoy here and now, and have as many laughs as the time will allow. When the night ends if I should shed a tear, 'cause I know the next time will be too many years."

Hickman nails the indifferent arrogance of a typical "Mr. Wrong," making no apologies for this smooth talkin', porn readin', drink swillin', smokin', tattooed loser that women are inexplicably drawn to. This tale culminates with this scolding brushoff: "Well in the morning you'll be thinking about the future, trying to involve me somehow in your life. Well forget about that and I might let you buy me breakfast. Be nice to the waitress, I think she knows my wife." The piano accents in the song almost give the impression of Mr. Wrong bragging of his conquests at a corner bar.

"Volume 2" has fun songs too. "You Got A Problem" is a straight-forward assessment of self-centered people. "You are the most important person in the world in the eyes of you." Dalton's sexy baritone drawl on a spoken line near the end of the song is reason enough to put this on repeat.

"Construction Man" starts off with a spoken guttural intro that makes a girl take notice of this blue collar cutie. The song might come off as a little goofy, as Hickman sings of painting, landscaping, and dry-walling, but it's really about a guy who's comfortable in his own skin ("Half the world seems undecided, but I know who I am"). With a fast-tempo banjo, this song is flat-out hoedown fun.

Dalton sings the listlessness and frustrated restlessness of someone fed up with the same old annoyances of every day ("It's been wrong so long in fact I find it downright strange, I do believe that it's high time we made the change") in "Let's Toke The Whole Day Off." The music is as easy-going as his tone, then goes on to erupt into a rowdy hootin', hollerin' celebration. Featuring an upbeat harmonica solo and unusual guitar, this is a toe-tapping good time.

"No Easy Way to Say Goodbye" is an honest tale of someone contemplating how to initiate a breakup ("I got a glass of courage and your picture at my side"). The regret and questioning of the decision is effectively evident in Hickman's voice and lyrics ("We both know what we stand to lose, and baby it's a lot. But we still wonder how what we need stacks up to what we've got"). The minimalist music, just a guitar and snapping, is surprisingly expressive. The bluesy solo is unlike any other on the album, making this song a standout for its difference alone.

"Wildcard" could easily be a rock radio hit, the perfect song to blast and dance around the house. It's got a classic rock anthem feeling, as Hickman sings about staying one step ahead ("I always hold my aces close so nobody knows but me. But I got a wildcard now").

The heavy, atmospheric "Long White Line" closes the album, as Dalton channels Johnny Cash in this tale of a road ramblin' man. Describing the "hard regrets and harder times" of life on the road, Dalton's voice conveys weariness over the dark, gloomy guitar and music that almost sounds like howling wind.

Stacked with these ten incredible songs, "Volume 2" has a song for every mood. I can't sit still or help but smile when I hear the upbeat tempo of "Wildcard" or "Construction Man;" sigh dreamily at "Elizabeth;" get a little misty at lost times with "Too Many Years," "Stockton," or "No Easy Way;" shake my head (sometimes knowing only too well) at "Mr. Wrong;" feel frustrations melt away with "You Got A Problem" and "Let's Toke The Whole Day Off;" or commiserate with the dark cloud of "Long White Line." This emotional depth made it an easy choice for me to name "Volume 2" as my favorite album of 2011.

"Volume 2" is available from iTunes, Amazon, CDBaby, and Campstove Records.