Van Go in Bloomington, MN

With the original band personnel intact, the second
Beat Farmers
album,
Van Go
, continues the group's approach as a down and dirty
country-rock
band. Lead singer/guitarist/songwriter
Jerry Raney
comes up with some great originals, such as
"Deceiver"
and
"Gun Sale Down at the Church,"
that are delivered in
the Farmers
' sweaty, alcohol-drenched sound. There is also an amazing cover of
Neil Young
's
"Powderfinger,"
which sounds like it was written for the band, and it's easily one of the album's highlights. Drummer/vocalist and part-time frontman
Country Dick Montana
continues on with his skewed version of
Johnny Cash
with an excellent version of
"Big Ugly Wheels."
All of this proves that a change to a major label didn't diminish the band's style or appeal. ~ Matthew Greenwald