Dave Alvin has been exploring the outer reaches of American traditional music since the debut of his seminal country-punk outfit the Blasters in the early '80s. Very much of a piece with that band's output, DAVE ALVIN & THE GUILTY WOMEN features Alvin's trademark blend of jaunty Bakersfield rhythms and lightning-swift rockabilly licks. A few left turns like the Central Avenue-styled jump blues of “Boss of the Blues” and the ruefully apocalyptic country of “These Times We're Living In” lend the album some much-needed stylistic diversity.
