Customer Reviews

Horseshoes & Hand Grenades

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Trent Summar's got just the right Tennessee-born drawl for the songs that populate "Horseshoes & Hand Grenades." He's also got the mix of self-deprecating humor and emotional depth necessary to elevate country songs with common themes into uncommonly well-told, clever stories with lines like "If you haven't gained or lost at least 20 pounds ... then you really never loved her anyway."

Though a Music Row wag dubbed him "the King of Redneck Rock," there are elements of Eagles-style California country (in "Supposed to Do," a rare ballad that showcases his vocal abilities) and even ska - colliding with Hank Williams III, that is - on the runaway chorus to his otherwise sweet `n' schmaltzy treatment of George Jones' "He Stopped Loving Her Today." But it's no accident that Southern boys Dan Baird, the former Georgia Satellites frontman, and Michael "Supe" Granda, of Ozark Mountain Daredevils fame, are among the album's main contributors (Brooks & Dunn steel guitar player Gary Morse is also featured; ex-Maverick Raul Malo also takes a vocal turn on "Guys Like Me"). Their honky-tonk-flavored instrumentation is threaded adroitly throughout. Summar also shares a dancehall kinship with Gary Allan and Jack Ingram, who recorded "Guys Like Me" and the Summar/Jay Knowles co-written "Love You," respectively. And "She Knows What to Do (With a Saturday Night)," previously recorded by Billy Currington, would be perfect for roadhouse rocker Delbert McClinton. (Perhaps not coincidentally, it was co-written by McClinton's frequent collaborator, Gary Nicholson.)

Summar's knack for smile-inducing wordplay is formidable, but it's the mix of resignation and wistfulness in lines like "I'd like to find a place ... where you can land your dreams on solid ground" (in "Guys Like Me," co-written with Kostas) that convey how well he's honed his songwriting skills. With this album, he should have a few hits of his own.

I love this CD -- Trent Summar is known for his high energy, maximum fun concerts, and I defy anyone to stay seated after turning up the volume on these songs. Trent's version of "He Stopped Loving Her Today" is hilarious--a salute to the old as well as the new. My favorites are Trent's "Love You" (which has climbed the charts for Jack Ingram) and "Guys Like Me". This is a man who truly loves country music and it shows. His band, The New Row Mob, does him proud--these are trained professionals, so sit back and enjoy.

Trent and the New Row Mob have done it again! I LOVED this album and would recomend it to a music lover in any genre. It was one of those albums where you wind up loving about half of the songs as opposed to one or two.

I had never heard of this guy until Amazon sent me a suggestions e mail, I listened to the clips of music and decided to buy this one, its not what one would call traditional country in fact its very rockabilly, I had to play it a couple of times to get into the music, out of all the tracks there is only one I do not like so for a guy I had never heard of its a good start .

Every now and then you find one of those albums where every single song is great. Radney Foster's "Del Rio, Texas, 1959," Dan Baird's "Love Songs For The Hearing Impaired," and now "Horseshoes & Hand Grenades." I bought this after hearing Summar perform at SxSW in Austin and it has stayed in my truck ever since. My whole family sings along, each with our own favorites. My wife likes the title track (she thinks the story reminds her of me in college), my youngest son will sometimes yell "Pink John Deere" even when the song isn't playing, and my oldest likes "Girl From Tennessee." For me, Summar's version of "He Stopped Loving Her Today" is the one; I love to play it for unsuspecting friends and watch the look on their face when the tempo changes. Part country, part bluegrass, part southern rock, all fun.

This album isn't quite up to the standards of "Trent Summar and the New Row Mob" (2000) or "Hank Flamingo" (1994, his best CD), but it's far better than virtually all of the so-called country put out today. It's mostly rip-roarin', barn-burnin', rockin' country, with a twang and a noticeable Southern accent (and how many of today's pseudo-country singers even have a Southern accent?). The best hillbilly tunes are "Hayride" and "Louisiana Nashville Line," and Trent's version of "He Stopped Loving Her Today" is interesting, to say the least. If you like real country music, you'll like this CD.

Playing Time - 38:26 -- If you know what's best for you on a Saturday night, then you'll pick up a copy of "Horseshoes & Hand Grenades," for a driving set of Summar's rockin' country music. Actually, he calls it "farm rock," a convergence of Chuck Berry and George Jones. Full of grit, Trent incorporates strong rhythmic intensity as the foundation for his striking stories and just plain ol' fun rowdiness. The elements all lend perfectly to our listening amusement. They hit the ground with a steady gallop from the first song to the last, even with the brief eccentric punk/grunge moments in "He Stopped Loving Her Today" that will either get you frowning or smiling depending on how open-minded you are to the boys having a little fun with the country classic.

I haven't heard the album that Trent put out in 2000 (or his 1994 "Hank Flamingo" release), but understand that it brought plenty of airplay, gig and tour offers...even landed him a showcase on the Grand Ole Opry. Produced by Rand Bishop, "Horseshoes & Hand Grenades" further indulges us with some eclectic alt-country instrumentalists and background vocalists. Remember the Ozark Mountain Daredevils with their blend of country rock, bluegrass, and southern boogie? Bassman/vocalist Michael "Supe" Granda was a founding member of that group. And the 1980s Atlanta-based Georgia Satellites with their Stones-like guitar grunge? Guitarist/vocalist Dan Baird was a key member of that enjoyable band. Steel guitarist Gary Morse is a regular with Brooks & Dunn. Other experienced musicians in The New Row Mob include Dave Kennedy (drums), Ken McMahan (guitar), and a host of others who appear to a lesser degree on the CD. Mike Webb's piano and B-3 organ are noteworthy.

Besides those collaborations with other Nashville-based writers, a number of the musicians on the album co-wrote many of these songs with Summar. And you may have already heard some of the songs covered by others like Billy Currington ("She Knows What to Do With a Saturday Night"), Gary Allan ("Guys Like Me"), and Jack Ingram ("Love You"). That's a feather is Summar's cap for other up-and-coming singers to acknowledge the sturdiness of Trent's material. Without being too disparaging, I found the similarity of the beat in a few of the songs to create a modicum of banality. But, for the most part, the set progresses as a successful, raucous journey from beginning to end. Reminiscent of the Bakersfield sound, the country rock-infused groove and clever lines convey some deliriously fun messages. Some other catchy hooks, and even some rustic bluegrass flavorings, are found in songs like "Hayride," "Pink John Deere," and "Girl From Tennessee." Hitting you like an express train, "Louisiana Nashville Line" is full of steam. In "Guys Like Me," Trent sings "It's hard to find a place to play my guitar, they're trying to put an end to guys like me." I'd say this album will fetch him plenty of fame and gigs. Trent's well on his way to landing his golden dreams on solid ground. (Joe Ross, Roseburg, OR.)