Tom Heinl - With or Without Me

Eugene, Oregon's Tom Heinl has managed to make an record in 2003 that sounds is if it is at least 30 years old. The sad-sack but comical alt-country and truck drivin' album simply sounds like an artifact of another time and place. At first, it's difficult to determine if Heinl is being serious, though it hardly seems to matter when he crafts such contagious tunes, from the Seger-esque grit of "Pinto Squire," to the mobile home anthem "Trailer Fever." When this record ends it starts up all over again, and this time without vocals - yes, Stereoke! Tom is crazy, but with the deep croon he copped from Lee Hazelwood and genuine songwriting talent, he's right up there with Ween, making ridiculous music that, as it turns out, is darn good.

1) Mama (With Me)
2) Pinto Squire (With Me)
3) Trailer Fever (With Me)
4) Three-Way (With Me)
5) Peein' on An Empty (With Me)
6) Ihop (With Me)
7) Christmas Tree on Fire (With Me)
8) Half Day Vacation (With Me)
9) Turned a Corner (With Me)
10) I Love (With Me)
11) Intermission
12) Mama (Without Me)
13) Pinto Squire (Without Me)
14) Trailer Fever (Without Me)
15) Three-Way (Without Me)
16) Peein' in An Empty (Without Me)
17) Ihop (Without Me)
18) Christmas Tree on Fire (Without Me)
19) Half Day Vacation (Without Me)
20) Turned a Corner (Without Me)
21) I Love (Without Me)