Having spent his musical adolescence in Pennsylvanian punk rock trio Plow United, Brian McGee is not the most natural figurehead for a movement of new Americana. However, having recently relocated to Asheville, NC and immersed himself in the rich roots sound of the area, the musician has mellowed his songwriting palette and taken to fusing his punk rock heritage to some raw country sounds. The result is a blue-collar line in melodic country rock that sounds like the bastard love child of Guthrie and Springsteen.

Opening with the old-school country jig of 'Keep On Going', seemingly tailor-made to soundtrack a closing-time bar brawl, 'Brian McGee and The Hollow Speed' maintains the same gritty, rockabilly speed across its entire first half. 'Clouded Glass' and 'That's When The Night Comes On' are the stand-outs; Ryan Adams-like doses of country-pop with more hooks than a fisherman's hat. Each deals with universal themes - broken hearts, tales of down-on-your-luck romance etc - and these broad lyrical brush strokes fit their musical accompaniment perfectly.

Further into the album and McGee's punk root's become more prevalent. It's evident in the music's unrelenting thrust and is equal parts rabble-rousing and poignant. This is music for beer-drinking, hard-living, American everymen and it's a joyful thrill ride from beginning to end. As the fiddle-playing buckles to a fitting halt on the album's closing track 'Hell Is Open All Night' you're instantly reaching for the repeat button and settling down to experience the whole sensory master-class one more time.

'Brian McGee and The Hollow Speed' is available now and can be purchased via CD Baby and iTunes.

Official site: www.myspace.com/mcgeehollowspeed

Words: Josh Timber