hey hambone! this is larue a little piece of mind. I don't know you, but I really hope to understand the reasons that you have been referring to two of my favorite people to be around as untalented musicians. I, "and others", would like to know what brews the hostility. is it that cody was probably on a break and wanted to piss, or that you felt that everyone owes you attention? I am not an ass trying to get attention, but I am a concerned fan. please refrain from being a loner in a strong family who you don't understand. I hoope you can change your thoughts of " no talented asses" to a possible career in the said bands your speaking of, and maybe find a little time to jack off.,!!

From the bottom of my heart, I want to thank Jason, Cody, Roger, Grady, Grant, Jeremy, Brad, Randy, Dana, Shannon, and Red for welcoming me with open arms to this wonderful family. For anyone that cares to know, I recently took a job selling merchandise for Jason Boland & The Stragglers. A personal message to Hambone: I'm sorry you feel the way that you do about these two bands. I would like to personaly thank you for the fact that as much as you hate them, you still paid the cover charge that gets us down the road. I hope that you can make down to Stephenville this weekend to see the "no talent" Stragglers "(i.e. the drummer)" open for another "no talent pussy" Robert Earl Keen. One last thing, no true Texan would ever insult an up and coming singer/songwriter, muscian, or band the way you have in your past reviews. I hope that someday your opinion changes Sincerley, Sean Ottoson

Obiviously Hambone is just trying to cause a stir. Jason and Cody don't need someone like you to prove to them that they are talented. All I have for you Hambone, is sorrow. You must be one lonely fellow to sit home alone at night with just your keyboard to talk to. I find it funny that you feel the need to bag every talented artist you have come across in order to make yourself feel better. However, I also thank you for getting the rest of the loyal fans fired up about the Stragglers and Ragweed. To your dismay, you have done a lot for both of the bands. Guys with integrity like Cody, Jason, Randy, Brad, Grady, Roger, Jeremy, Grant, and Dana know who they are and what they want. Hambone I pray that you don't suffocate in your self pity. Shannon

I concur with everything that is being said about Mr. Boland. His songwriting and voice are second to no one. But what truly gives him his shine is his attitude. You can hear it all over his music. Why anyone who is reading this review doesn't have this CD is beyond me. For his debut, Jason Boland has created a masterpiece that just may prove impossible to recreate when these boys go back into the studio.

Move over everyone, Here comes some damn good music. The best mixture of songs I,ve heard in a while. These guys are here to stay. Buy the CD if you don't have it cause your missing out if you don't.

I was lucky enough to check these guys out at Stephenville awhile ago. I bought their CD and it hasn't left my CD player since. This is the album of the year.

Still the best artist on this site!!!!

If I were stranded on an island with just 5 CD's (assuming I had something to play them on) they would be: 1. Jerry Jeff Walker - "Viva Terlingua" 2. Willie Nelson - Stardust 3. Willis Alan Ramsey 4. Steve Earle - Copperhead Road 5. Jason Boland - Pearl Snaps

Every now and then an artist comes along that not only adds background music to our lives, but adds songs to the soundtrack. For some people those artists would be the Grateful Dead or Phish, and for others Jimmy Buffett. But, for most of us reading this review, those artists are Jerry Jeff, REK, and Steve Earle. Some might even add a Todd Snider or a Pat Green to that list, and others will add who they must - but I am writing this review - so I put Jason Boland and the Stragglers at the top of that list. I have followed Jason and his band for over a year and they always deliver. I recently had the great fortune to go to Amarillo for the "Happenin' on the High Plains", and witness Andy Pate, Macon Greyson, and Roger Creager perform with Jason. By the time Creager finished his amazing set (this was the first time I saw him and he blew me away), I didn't think there was a way Boland would be able to keep the energy level going. Then the band opened with "Ponies"...and I thought The Golden Light was going to put Amarillo's Electric company out of business. The Stragglers live show matches anyone in the state (including Steve Earle, REK, and Pat Green). "Pearl Snaps" which is produced by Lloyd Maines is truly one of the most complete albums you will ever own. I know much has been said about these "Boys from Oklahoma" on this site, but don't let the fact that they aren't from Texas keep you from ordering this CD. The lyrics on this disc are poems we have all written ourselves, about ourselves. Jason Boland and the Stragglers will make you remember songs you have never heard.....

"Cheap Bourbon Whiskey and pearl snap shirts are two things that stay the same, so when the world starts spinnin' and your head hurts, there's cheap bourbon whiskey and pearl snap shirts." That is how the title songs starts, and trust me this is the CD OF THE YEAR! After reading all the reviews, I decided I would take a chance and buy a Jason Boland CD. I must admit, that Johnny Hambone guy is right (and I HATE to admit that) this is truly the best CD purchase I have made this year. The CD starts out with "Somewhere Down in Texas" which has Terri Hendrix singing harmony and quite frankly is my new favorite song. Just when you think this may be a mellow album we go straight into some good old fashinoned Honky Tonkin'. The songs, "Drinkin' Song" and "Pearl Snaps" really drive the message home. After that the album goes back into introspective mode with "Proud Souls" (I love the line "I got drunk by myself last night, they say it's no way to make things right, I just didn't have anything better to do.") and follows that with the buttkicking "Ponies". The CD then goes back to introspective, and trust me these are WELL WRITTEN songs, with "Backslider Blues". The album then takes a strange turn with a song about long distance love over the phone (some might call it phone sex, but I like to think otherwise) which may be the weakest track on the CD, but Boland's weakest track would be one of the best for most artists on this site. It doesn't matter because what follows is my other favorite song (After thinking about it it ranks up there with "Somewhere Down in Texas"), "Devil Pays in Gold". If you like REK's "The Road Goes on Forever" (even though we are all tired of it by now) this will be your new favorite song. Nothing beats a good story where someone is going to get killed or be killed trying, and these boys make the story come alive. Next track is "If I ever get back to Oklahoma", which means little to me being from South Texas doncha know, but I admit is a catchy song, and if I were from Oklahoma I would buy this CD just on this song alone (If you are from Oklahoma and have any pride at all this is a MUST LISTEN). The last two tunes listed are going to leave you wanting more. "No Damn Good" is a tale of the road and the single life outweighing suburbia, and "Change in the Weather" is a fun song which really showcases the dobro playing of Roger Ray, who I must say is quite the talented musician. He plays lead and rythm guitar, pedal steel, and of course that awesome dobro. If his dobro and steel playing (Since Lloyd Maines produced this album, I thought I was listening to Lloyd Maines playing steel until I saw the credits. Roger Ray is going to be getting a lot of work whether this band stays together or not) don't get you, just listen to the bonus track. Roger Ray's lead guitar is brilliant, and if this is a one take, which bonus tracks traditionally are, then Brian Setzer needs to watch out, cause this up and comer from Oklahoma will BLOW YOU AWAY, he freakin' wails! This CD contains 12 (counting the bonus track) of the most polished songs I have listened to all year. Do yourself a favor and get "Pearl Snaps", after one listen you'll be writing a 5 Star review, TRUST ME.