I know this has been out for a while, however I haven’t been able to check it out until recently due to my having to deal with the same hassles many of you are right now (don’t pretend you don’t know).  The latest from Woodbox Gang is a roots laden aural journey through Americana’s darker side where acoustic instruments and washboard take us on a trip where blues, Texas swing, and reggae may appear just as likely as country or bluegrass in a song.  Carrying on the country tradition, these are stories detailing those on the down and out, death, murder, observations on blind faith, et al with a homespun intensity that has to be heard to understand.  You’re as likely to be intrigued as pleasantly surprised by the scope of this album (now in a “fortified version”) and what’s on here.  There’s an honesty here that’s missing from a lot of what’s called country music these days.  That may make it different but it also works in its favor.  This is definitely a disc worth checking out.  (BOONE)

(Alternative Tentacles Records. P.O. Box 4190923. San Francisco, CA 94141-9092 alternativetentacles.com)