CD Review

Dwight Yoakam was too Country for Country when he debuted in 1986 and 2005 is no exception. In the era of candy coated Country, Dwight again finds himself the outsider. However, if the past is any indication of Yoakam’s intentions this is exactly where the roots artist wants to be. Following his break from Reprise, Yoakam formed his own label and released the critically acclaimed Population Me. While major labels are still eluding the shaky hipped singer, Yoakam again thumbs his nose at Nashville with Blame the Vain.

On his 15th studio recording, Dwight Yoakam shows his new found vitality for making music which was all but lost in the 90’s. Self produced without the aid of his longtime studio partner Pete Anderson, Yoakam fronts a new band with Nashville guitarist Keith Gattis at the helm. While the entire album is full of driving country shuffles which are as tough as anything he did on Guitars, Cadillacs Etc. Etc., Yoakam’s ability to turn a phrase into heartache is still astounding. Like nearly every Dwight Yoakam recording, Blame the Vain is a like return to roadside honky tonk jukeboxes of yesteryear on a Saturday night, only better.