Album Review: Randy Rogers Band’s ‘Nothing Shines Like Neon’

Randy Rogers Band's new album might be their most diverse yet. Read our review of  'Nothing Shines Like Neon.'

Written by Chuck Dauphin
Album Review: Randy Rogers Band’s ‘Nothing Shines Like Neon’

For close to fifteen years, the Randy Rogers Band has made some of the finest music on the Texas Music Scene. After a four-albums stint on Universal, the band returns to the independent ranks – ironically with an album that might be their most diverse yet, one that actually sounds as radio ready as anything they have ever cut.

At the same time, the album still remains very true to their wide open heritage, with a song selection that will make their fans in the Lone Star State proud. Of course, any native Texan is going to be completely enamored with a song called “San Antone,” correct? There’s several other performances in that vein here, such as “Taking It As It Comes,” which features the iconic Jerry Jeff Walker. I can also hear “Pour One For The Poor One” being a popular cut on the dance floor, with it’s old-time waltz-ish approach.

Neon Randy Rogers Band

But, with Buddy Cannon behind the glass in the recording studio, there’s a definite shift in sound here. “Rain And The Radio” has a definite rock slant that could possible work well on the airwaves – should the band want to take that approach. Alison Krauss adds just the right amount of homespun harmony on the gorgeous “Look Out Yonder,” and Jamey Johnson helps to make “Actin’ Crazy” a winner. Other winners here include “Tequila Eyes,” the harmony-laden “Neon Blues,” the pain-drenched “Old Moon New,” and the very romantic “Meet Me Tonight,” which could very well be the biggest winner here.

All in all, Nothing Shines Like Neon will please the fans that have been following this band since the early 2000s, but at the same time, I think the album could also make them a few fans from within the mainstream Country ranks too.