03 Mar 2003
Bering Strait

I have a confession to make. I hate country music. Have since I was 15 or so, and my stepfather would yell at me to squelch the volume on my Black Sabbath. He'd then proceed to crank up Porter Wagoner or some such drivel at 4:30am when he got up to go to work. Made me furious.

Now, I've always liked folk music, and there's sometimes a fine line between the two I'll admit. But the regular pap coming out of Nashville has consistantly turned my stomach (and my radio dial). Until last week.

I happened to catch this segment on "60 Minutes" last Sunday. I was surprised and impressed by what I heard, especially in the interviews with the members of Bering Strait. So yesterday, when I was in a Barnes and Noble, I took the opportunity to preview the album. I liked it. Alot. So did Kris (who shares my distaste for country). We bought it. A country album.

Maybe my predilection towards folk helped, but these kids can play and sing. I just wish they'd showcase more of their original compositions and less of the standard 'she broke my heart so I broke her jaw' kind of thing. But hell, even that stuff by these kids was tolerable.

If you haven't heard this yet, you deserve to. Even if you can't stand country. You might be surprised.

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