The 44s - Americana (Feat. Kid Ramos) (2011) [CD Rip]

For their sophomore album "Americana", Southern Californian four-piece The 44s are reunited with the estimable Kid Ramos for another collection of uncomplicated but wholly satisfying blues rock tunes. Mike Tuturro and J.R. Lozano form as tight a rhythm section as you'll find anywhere, providing a solid back drop for singer/guitarist Johnny Main's Chicago-inspired licks and hard-edged vocals, and blasts from Tex Nakamura's honking harp.

From the hard rocking opener "Hanging Tree" to the rockabilly "Dixie", the Elmore James-recalling "Pleading My Case", and the smokey "Mr Operator", the band turns in a solid, versatile and confident performance - which is taken to incendiary levels by a series of blistering solos from former Fabulous Thunderbird/Fabuloco Ramos on the title track and "Cocaine", Nakamura on "She's Poison", and the Main man in particular on slow-burning future classic "Hard Times".