Reckless Kelly – “Ragged As The Road”

Songwriter: Willy Braun

Despite being perennial favorites in the Texas scene, Reckless Kelly only recently scored their first number one on the Texas Music Chart with , “Ragged As The Road,” a song inspired by the travels of Woody Guthrie as recounted in his autobiography, Bound For Glory.

“Ragged As The Road” consists of a series of vivid metaphors that could have easily become a self-pity song about the wear and tear of life’s tolls, but in Reckless Kelly’s hands, it’s a braggadocious celebration of life and the pitfalls encountered along the way.

As was established in Jim Malec’s review of Bulletproof, the band leans towards rock or as leadman Braun likes to describe it, they’re “more like a rock band with a fiddle.” You won’t find a fiddle on “Ragged As The Road,” but rather a guitar solo and an infectious, driving beat that carries the song forward, with Braun’s weather-worn vocals serving almost as an afterthought. The production nearly drowns Braun, but isn’t quite to the point of becoming detrimental and actually complements his vocal well.

While not totally country, it’s considerably more interesting than anything produced by the invasion of Southern rock bands from last year and makes for a worthwhile summer release.

Listen: Reckless Kelly – “Ragged As The Road”