While classic country music is ripe for parody, exploring and celebrating the genre without being insulting is a difficult task. Obviously the City Cousins love country music, and it's that tongue-in-cheek aspect that they manage to exemplify while honoring the tradition. The twanged-up cover of the Beatles' "Run For Your life" is a pure joy. Musically, these guys hit it on all cylinders. Cletis sounds like a weathered roadhouse warrior, guitarist Johnny McGowan nails the chicken pickin', and with bassist Blake Parris and drummer Mike Hammer, the backbeat is solid. A great philosopher - well, Nigel Tufnel - once said, "There's a thin line between 'clever' and 'stupid.'" Cletis and his boys toe that line with humor and talent. (4 out of 5 stars)
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