The Tisbury Joneser is the fourth full-length album from The Dirty Truckers. Out today on Rum Bar Records, this is the first long player in over 13 years from this Boston-based rock and roll institution. Having anthologized tracks from existing Dirty Truckers releases on two previous occasions, Rum Bar proudly brings into the world 10 new songs of heart-on-sleeve dive bar rock and roll from unsung songwriting great Tom Baker and his illustrious partners-in-crime (John Brookhouse on lead guitar, Jamie Griffith on bass, and Johnny "Rock" Lynch on drums). The Tisbury Joneser was a lockdown recording project. If it took an unprecedented global pandemic to get these guys to make another record, well there's a silver lining for you! When it comes to The Dirty Truckers or any Tom Baker project, you know exactly what to expect: no-nonsense blue collar rock and roll for fans of The Replacements, Rolling Stones, and everything that's good in between. The Westerberg/Stinson influence looms large on this release as the splendid tracks "Cut Me Loose," "(You've Got The) Shakes Again," and "Remember One" tip the cap to early, late, and classic period Replacements. The Stones influence is more literal this time: the band tears into an inspired rendition of Exile on Main St. Side 4 opener "All Down the Line." As always, Baker shows himself to be a formidable songwriter in the realm of straight-forward rock and roll. There are few better at crafting a hooky tune with heart and guts. While lean and mean at just ten tracks, The Tisbury Joneser covers an awful lot of ground. Standout numbers highlight the band's flair for everything from rootsy pop ("Just Forget It") to heartland rock ("I Feel Nothing") to raucous rock and roll ("Keep It in the Vault"). Every time I get to the end of this album, I'm left wanting more.
The Tisbury Joneser finds The Dirty Truckers continuing to not fix what isn't broke. There will always be a place in the world for a band like this that aspires to nothing more than to write great songs and rock the hell out of 'em! No less of an authority than Jerry Lehane points to this album as solid proof that rock and roll is alive and well. What else needs to be said? The Tisbury Joneser is an album best enjoyed loud in tandem with the cheapest, coldest beer you can find. Koozie included if you buy one of the special bundles!
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