Doug Collins and The Receptionists - Too Late At Night (2022)

In this 10-cut collection the ensemble plays with gusto & it’s recorded pristinely. It’s quite an enjoyable set of retro-style polished-up glittering music. A little late in arriving but worth the listen.

Hailing from Minnesota this is Doug Collins’ first new recording in 4-years. There are generous dips into a vintage country genre with wry humor. All tunes are well-written Collins (guitars/vocals) originals about subjects listeners can relate to rather than blabber about country-pop silliness. Even with the retro classic country ingredients the music is mainstream tight & commercially accessible fun.

There are more personable dives into their showcase & at the same time the band keeps an older genre lively. It’s all based on their economy of style but with competence.

Falling off the wagon, the absurdities of romance, loss, Doug’s mother’s passing, loneliness & hard times that the majority of us experience. Familiar material is never watered down in cliché. There’s no controversy, no politics, or preaching.

Produced by Doug & Rob Genadek at Uptown Sound in Minneapolis Too Late At Night (Drops Jan. 15 – Originally released June 24, 2022-Independent) provides a stockpile of fine music that’s performed with no guest musicians. Just Doug & the entire band The Receptionists — with Charlie Varley on bass/vocals, Randy Broughten (pedal steel) & Billy Dankert (drums/vocals).

There’s a tint of early Jason & the Scorchers & the Beat Farmers instrumental energy with the added color of a Buck Owens & Sonny James intonation in the style that Collins lets loose with vocally. But Collins never sings in an antiquated 60s country mode.

Making the music sound fresh — the sound of the pedal steel is solid & not hokey. The band itself is indulgent & creates a wonderful sound that though it’s reminiscently vintage never sounds like a throwback. That takes skill. Doug also has a good ballad vocal tone on the splendid “Stay the Same,” “Hardest Part,” & the upbeat “Sunday Afternoon.”