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Empire Builders Uncut (3 out of 5 stars) November, 2004 Ringenberg’s last two efforts proper have veered from stripped-down country to collaborations with The Wildhearts and Lambchop. Here, rustic Americana, including an Indians dream, a spirited Link Wray homage and a heartfelt, fiddle-driven tribute to Dad (“Half The Man”), collide with heated political commentary. Ringenberg righteously mocks the pseudo-patriotic political right, borrowing from the Beats on two spoken-word pieces. Best though is “Rebel Flag in Germany”, a crash-up of politics, symbolism and good ol’ sour mash rock ’n’ roll. Luke Torn