Laughin' and Cryin' with Reverend Horton Heat

Reverend Horton Heat | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 31, 2009)
• Original Release Date: 2009
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Yep Roc Records
• ASIN: B002H3KL7U
• In-Print Editions: Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #40,298 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #21 in Music > Alternative Rock > American Alternative > Psychobilly

Editorial Reviews

The biggest chops. The most tour dates. The most kick-ass live show. The greatest rock-country-punkabilly performer of his generation, the Reverend Horton Heat is back after a lengthy recording hiatus with Laughin' and Cryin' with The Reverend Horton Heat. The man that first linked roots and alternative music is taking it back to where his heart is with Laughin' and Cryin'. A pomade-stiff romp down the dusty road less traveled, the album leans toward the hard-drinking, hard-driving 'billy' side of rockabilly with lounge love songs (Aw, the Humanity), odes to the good life (Drinkin' and Smokin' Cigarettes), comical takes on family life (Please Don't Take the Baby to the Liquor Store) and country guitar wizardry, Rev-style (Oh by Jingo!). Since his breakout album Smoke 'Em if You Got 'Em The Rev has gained a diehard cult following who flock to his never ending string of gigs and continue to spread the myth of the biggest, baddest guitar man on the planet - the Reverend Horton Heat.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars More Hillbilly than Rockabilly this time, September 1, 2009

By 

Herbert West (The Rabbit Hole) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Laughin' and Cryin' with Reverend Horton Heat (Audio CD)

One of the things I've always loved about the Rev is his ability to combine rock, punk, swing, and country into the genre we lovingly refer to as rockabilly. Every album since Smoke 'em has held many surprises and many more great memorable songs that span genres. However, Mr. Heath doesn't seem to be doing this anymore. Revival was the first album that stopped me in my tracks as it was almost completely country. I myself am not a fan of straight up country so I was mildly disappointed that there werent any faster, more rockin' songs. All in all, Revival is still a good record. Fast forward 5 years, and of course I'm excited to see a return to a more rock/swing vibe along with the country aspect that's always been there. Unfortunately, there really is none to be found on Laughin' and Cryin'. I give credit where it is due, and this album is another fantastic display of the Rev's lyrical prowess (if not slightly cheesy this time 'round) and of course, his collossal guitar playing. However, I think its fair to warn fans not to expect a rockabilly record in the true sense of the term. Laughin' & Cryin' is a country album with a few leans towards rock and swing. Most of the songs on this album are mid tempo, so nothing that will have you dancing like a fiend. I don't know it the Rev is mellowing out in his 50's or not, but this album would make one think so. I recommend it for fans on country music because this album blows any and all commercial country music out of the water. Great guitar album too. For the fans of old school Reverend Horton Heat and rockabilly in general, you will be left wanting more from this record.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Keep On Preachin', October 3, 2009

By 

Stanley Runk "Runkdapunk" (Camp North Pines) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Laughin' and Cryin' with Reverend Horton Heat (Audio CD)

Well, it seems that fans are a bit mixed on this one. Just by the reviews here it seems more disappointed than not.
Personally I loved this album, but that certainly doesn't mean that you will. If you're a bigger fan of the more frantic, punk infused sound of the Reverend's early albums, than this might not hit the spot. Folks compare it to Revival, and that's pretty accurate. Though I'm not sure I'd consider it as Country as most do. Yeah, there's definitely a very southern hillbilly type sound, but I tend to think of that more as along the lines of early Rockabilly than Country. I mean, it certainly doesn't sound like Freddy Fender if that's what you're worried about.
There are some catchy, uppity numbers but nothing quite along the lines of say, Galaxy 500.
I love the frantic albums from the Reverend's early days, but I also have a special place in my heart for his more recent stuff as well(in fact I may even like it more in some ways). Basically the best advice I can give is that you will most probably enjoy this album if you like Revival.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Rev. Horton Heat, November 10, 2010

By 

S. O'Brien - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Laughin' and Cryin' with Reverend Horton Heat (Audio CD)

I actually really like this new album by Rev. Horton Heat. It is definitely more of an alt. country sounding album instead of the usual psychobilly/rockabilly sound they are known for and that to me is just fine. When Rev. Horton Heat is all done making music this album is not the one they are going to be remembered for by any means, but a lot of good quality songs on here. It starts out with one of my favorite songs on the album "Drinkin' and Smokin' Cigarettes which is just a great country song. "Death Metal Guys" is probably the closest song to being rockabilly on the album and is another good song. "Oh God Doesn't Work In Vegas" is a faster upbeat song and another one of the better songs in my opinion as is "Crazy Ex-Boyfriend" which is another really good country song. Overall not the Rev's best album, but it is different than the usual Rev. Horton Heat album and to me it is always good to not always do the same thing over and over however I wouldn't mind if they did another album like this one day.