The Panhandlers are BACK.
The Texas country supergroup comprised of Josh Abbott, William Clark Green, John Baumann, and Flatland Cavalry frontman Cleto Cordero announced back in early February that they had their second studio album on the way, titled Tough Country.
They announced it in an Instagram post, saying:
“We’ve had this one up our sleeves for a bit, and we couldn’t be more excited to share it with the world. ‘Tough Country’ will be available everywhere March 3rd.”
Flatland Cavalry front man Cleto Cordero also expressed his excitement for the project, and even admitted that he believes this one will top their self-titled debut album:
“HOWDY ALL… in one month The Panhandlers are releasing a brand new full length album ‘Tough Country.’ I am a big fan of the first record we made but I think this one tops it. Can’t wait for you to hear it.
P.S – From an indie musician to you: Thank you for all the love, support and for allowing us to live out this dream, as some anonymous poet once said, ‘of making shit up for a living.’
We couldn’t do it without YOU!”
With that being said, the time has officially come, as the album dropped yesterday… and let’s just say that Cleto was right.
When you have this much individual talent on one record, you already know that each song they release is gonna be something special… and boy, did they deliver.
Vivid songwriting, gorgeous instrumentation, beautiful arrangements… it’s just flawless.
Quintessentially Texas, the album captures such a sense of place that you can’t help but want to ship off to West Texas for the weekend… or maybe even, forever? The group is known for painting the perfect musical picture of the gorgeous scenery that the Lone Star State has to offer in their lyrics, and this album is yet another shining example.
Last year, The Panhandlers dropped a four song EP, that featured songs like “Where Cotton Is King,” “The Chilton Song,” “Midland Jamboree,” and “West Texas Is The Best Texas,” and all four of those songs are featured on the 14-track album.
Here are a few of my favorites:
“Flat Land”
“Tough Country”
“Moonlight in Marfa”
“The Last Gentleman In Southwest Texas”
