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Ruthie and the Wranglers: 'Wrangler City'

"Wrangler City," the new album by Ruthie and the Wranglers, is home to hiccuping rockabilly, heartaching honky-tonk and trail-weary cowgirl prayers. In short, it's the sort of place where fans of seminal rock and country music will want to hang their hat for a while.

Key to the "City's" pleasures is singer Ruthie Logsdon. When her live wire voice isn't throwing a shower of sparks on the rockabilly romps, celebrating a new love on "Hot Potato" or energetically covering Elvis Presley on "Dirty Dirty Feelin'," Logsdon deftly conjures the aftermath of a love gone wrong with plenty of emotion and humor. The twangy kiss-off "I'm a Little Confused," the tongue- twisting "I Wanna Be Your Auctioneer" and the feisty "Gone But Not Forgotten" all concern a woman spurned or betrayed, a role Logsdon plays to the hilt. She comes across not just as the better half of the equation, thanks to songs the band has composed and compiled, she's sometimes the bitterly funny half.

Logsdon and bassist Mark Noone (of Slickees and Wanktones fame) are responsible for some of the album's best songs, while drummer Wesley Shepherd and lead guitarist Billy Shelton contribute to its unfussy but spirited tone. Shelton's playing is particularly impressive – concise, fluid and colorful – and a pair of contrasting cameos by guitarist Bill Kirchen add to the album's many charms.