The Strange Boys, Live Music: Texas Rootsy Slacker Rock

Time to change it up today, and dig into something new from the alt rock world. How about a new, third album by The Strange Boys? They are a Texas outfit together three years, and the album is Live Music (Rough Trade), live pronounced as in "live and let live."

This is a mostly straightforward guitar-bass-drums-vocals-keys session with disarmingly direct, unassuming vocals from a slacker-folksie-faux-lazy lead singer, personal sorts of lyrics and original songs that have elemental charm and a recognition factor.

The band is not about technical wizardry. It's unpretentious song after unpretentious song. But you know what? There is something in the simplicity that rings authentic. And the songs grow on you.