All Over Creation

The Guardian
12.04.02
Twenty years ago, Jason Ringenberg was the "Jason" of Nashville's Jason and the Scorchers, pioneers of what was then called new sincerity (or cowpunk), which essentially meant country with a little more oomph than the Bellamy Brothers were managing. Now, the not dissimilar alt.country is as high fashion as anything invoking country can be, and Ringenberg is feted as its elder statesman. He wears the Stetson of reverence rather well, and All Over Creation! is a delightful affair, with guests - from the predictable Steve Earle and Lambchop to Wearside hellraisers The Wildhearts - on each of the 12 tracks. Honky Tonk Maniac From Mars gets things off to a lumpen start, but then Ringenberg's stride becomes much bolder. Maturity fits him well, for he is a fine balladeer: he is menacing on Bible and a Gun alongside Earle, contemplative on Last Train to Memphis and haunting on the splendid Mother of Earth. With the right sort of help, Ringenberg can even rock, and Too High to See is as effortlessly tuneful as peak-period REM. Don't Come Home a Drinkin' (With Lovin on Your Mind), meanwhile, is mightier than its title bodes.

JA