The Tarbox Ramblers, same title, Rounder Records

What do you get when you mix a hot country fiddle player, a Delta blues-influenced slide guitarist, a standup bass player and a swinging drummer, all from Boston? Answer is: The Tarbox Ramblers, a new band that mixes traditional hoe-down fiddle tunes with lowdown blues. These guys have been packing clubs in Beantown for a while now, building a very loyal following among the college crowd (really!). The sound is old-timey and funky, with a strong sense of authenticity. It’s country, it’s folk, it’s blues, it’s even a little rock ‘n’ roll. If Jimmie Rodgers, the legendary "Singing Brakeman" who combined elements of white country music and black blues, was still alive, this is what he might sound like. Highly recommended.

Kristi Rose, This Is Pulp Country!, self-released

I guarantee you have never experienced a female country singer like Kristi Rose. With her classic torch and twang voice, Kristi works her way through eight original tunes that cut a wide stylistic path through Mexicali pop music, rockabilly, honky tonk country, spaghetti western kitsch, folk and a little R&B as well. You could never accuse this girl of being one-dimensional. She’s gutsy enough to be eclectic and daring enough to give her musicians free reign to create atmospheric arrangements that highlight her vocals marvelously. Well done, Kristi.

The Mollys, Only A Story, Apokalips Now Music

The Mollys are an offbeat band that mixes Mexican and English/Irish folk music with country. Although I really enjoyed their debut disc, released in 1998 and reviewed in this column, this time around The Mollys pursue an extremely somber musical direction that results in songs that barely get off the ground the way they should. If you’ve been feeling depressed lately, do not buy this album! Two key members of The Mollys have since left the band, so look for new influences next time.

The Hollisters, Sweet Inspiration, Hightone Records

The Hollisters are back with another disc that pushes their high-energy country and rockabilly music into the stratosphere. With roots in Johnny Cash, Buck Owens, Elvis Presley and many others, The Hollisters offer great material with a sense of humor, blazing instrumental chops, and matter-of-fact, drawling vocals that provide a very upbeat and satisfying country music experience. In other words, this stuff cooks. Recommended.

Gurf Morlix, Toad Of Titicaca, Catamount Records

Gurf Morlix (no, that is not the name his parents gave him) was Lucinda Williams’ musical foil for years, and after the two parted company acrimoniously in 1998 over the recording of Williams’ award-winning Car Wheels On A Gravel Road, Morlix decided it was finally time to release his own debut album. Toad Of Titicaca is the result—a loose, funky, sloppy-tight, varied collection of country and rock originals, some of which feature Morlix playing most or all the instruments. Morlix’s songs are generally up to snuff and his instrumental abilities are workmanlike, but vocally he’s extremely limited, the possessor of one of those "personality" voices, like Bob Dylan, for instance. Not to worry—Toad Of Titicaca will grow on you with repeated listening. Where else have you ever heard a song called "Dan Blocker," an ode to the old television show, "Bonanza?"

Kevin Bowe & The Okemah Prophets, Restoration, Pop Sense Records

This is intelligent, energetic rockin’ country music from this Minnesota group, long on wry lyricism and Rolling Stones-like riff tunes. Very promising. Keep an eye on this band, and buy Restoration.

Nickel Slots, White Lies and Cigarettes, Deep South Records

Nickel Slots fall into the same basic category as the Gin Blossoms, with their jangly guitars and mid-tempo rockers. While the material is imminently listenable, the Slots tend to stick too closely to the above formula, resulting unavoidably in sameness that grows a bit tiring after seven or eight songs. Mix it up a little more, guys, and the results will show next time around.

The Brooklyn Cowboys, Doin’ Time On Planet Earth, Leaps Records

The Brooklyn Cowboys feature the guitar and vocals of Walter Egan, who scored some success in the seventies, steel guitarist Buddy Cage, formerly of the New Riders Of The Purple Sage, and the sprightly vocals of Joy Lynn White, who is criminally relegated to singing background most of the time. The Cowboys’ music is classic honky-tonk twang ‘n’ roll, with an eye toward country rock pioneers like The Flying Burrito Brothers and Poco. Very good stuff.

Addresses: Rounder Records, One Camp Street, Cambridge, MA 02140; Kristi Rose, PO Box 121436, Nashville, TN 37212; Apokalips Records, PO Box 40940, Tucson, AZ 85717; Hightone Records, 220 4th Street, Oakland, CA 94607; Catamount Records, Box 6368, Chicago, IL 60680; Nickel Slots, www.thenickelslots.com; Brooklyn Cowboys, www.brooklyncowboys.com.