The Tressels are one of our favorite bands. They have a great throwback rock n' roll blues sound, catchy lyrics, and excellent song writing. They also put on a great live show (link).

They sent us three songs that we included together as an EP. It was so good, that the EP was rated as a Year's Best (link). Two of those songs, happily, make it onto their new record Bourbon Legend.

Bourbon Legend was a rough go for the band. They said the recording process was difficult from day one until the pressing. You can't tell. It is a fantastic record from song one to song ten.

Bourbon Legend shows a band that has grown up not only age wise, but musically as well. Sure the lyrics are still about drinking and having no money, but there are also hauntingly beautiful songs as well. That is what is great about The Tressels, they juxtapose the fun drinking anthem (Ethyl Alcohol) with the love song of sorts (Don't Look Down).

Coming into the record I had heard Ethyl Alcohol and Brothel Blues - two of my favorite Tressels songs. They have a great fast paced chugging feel that make me want to drink, drive my car faster and dance. Mostly drunk dancing.

South Beach Vampires adds a different flavor for the band. It is almost The Tressels Sgt. Peppers. The experimentation with guitar, musical concrete, and of course, Mickey Reds sweet percussion, makes this song a favorite of mine. There is a lot of riffing and jamming in the middle section. The typical psychedelic blues rock is ever present in this song and makes me want to reach for that bong and smoke up and cogitate on what exactly a South Beach Vampire might look like. I will guess a zombie Eva Longoria.

But by far my favorite track on the album isn't the 90's era Flaming Lips-esque I Believe You or the fun head-bobbing sing-along Stolen Kiss. It is Don't Look Down - song that has stuck with me since listening to it. Lyrically it is a sad, but redeeming song. The guitar work complements the lyrics perfectly in order to express the pain and heartache in the song. I love it. To me, it is a different Tressels song and I think it's the best one they have written.

The Tressels have taken chances on this record and I think they grow brilliantly.Some bands take a long time to put out a product that is mediocre at best. (Insert title of Velvet Revolver's next album). But the hard work spent crafting these songs is evident and helps make this album work on many levels.

Bourbon Legend is going to be hard to beat this year for our favorite record. It is incredible from note one to note last. You need to buy this album from iTunes or the band's website. It is cheap too.