The Four Crazy Horsemen of the Apocalypse

A new Bottle Rockets compact disc on 06/06/06?

Well, I'll be damned.

Their eighth album and second release on Bloodshot Records, Zoysia is the latest sample of The Bottle Rockets' tenaciousness. Produced by Jeff Powell (Afghan Whigs, 16 Horsepower) at the legendary Ardent Studios in Memphis (Al Green, Big Star) and captured largely in two or three takes, Zoysia represents the city where it was recorded; honeydew sweet with it’s own unique groove.

On the heels of a litany of knee-jerking changes measuring 4 years deep, this album finds the band (Brian Henneman--guitar/ vocals, Mark Ortmann--drums, John Horton--guitar, and newest and final member, Keith Voegele--bass/vocals) the proudest they've ever been of any other recorded works.

With Zoysia, the Bottle Rockets nail the scruffy romantic, dirty fingernail rock of the Midwest and soak up the soulful vibes that ooze from the historic walls of Ardent Studios, all the while channeling some serious cascading Crazy Horse squall. Lyrically, the band's underdog outlook finds the optimism on the other side of the screen door. Add it all up and what you get is something that's all its own, something that is pure Bottle Rockets.

Full of ambition and a palpable sense of renewed determination, Zoysia leaps from the speakers and takes you on that long, strange trip. Like the hardy, creeping grass after which it's named, Zoysia takes hold and won't let go--its roots run deep and wide, reminding you why you fell in love with the band in the first place.

"He also forced everyone, small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on his right hand or on his forehead so that no one could buy or sell unless he had the mark, which is the name of the beast or the number of his name." -- Rev. 13:16

You can buy Zoysia at the Bloodshot Records site, the Undertow Records site, or you can pick the disc up at the Bottle Rocket's record release show this Saturday at the Beast Kitchen Beat Kitchen.