Empire Builders

Rolling Stone.com
June 7, 2004
Riled by his nation, country-punker Jason Ringenberg uses his album as a platform on election-year issues. Addressing foreign policy, he comes up with a bluesy critique ("American Question"), a polka ("New Fashioned Imperialist") and a poem ("American Reprieve"). He weighs-in on endemic racism with "Tuskegee Pride" and speaks to exported bigotry in "Rebel Flag in Germany." He remains fiercely proud of America's rebels, whether they're rockers ("Link Wray") or everymen (the twangy "Half the Man" is dedicated to his father). Merle Haggard's eco-anthem, "Rainbow Stew," is the perfect cover for the outlaw singer. Just as onetime punk mecca CBGB?s initials stand for country, bluegrass and blues, Ringenberg's got roots with punk-rock attitude. Though his broad Southern accent, his honky-tonkin' melodies and his Opry-inspired outfits can make it tough to take him seriously, Empire Builders is no joke.

Denise Sullivan