The Raelyn Nelson Band

Like the “ethical” (their word) psychotropic drug industry, the music recording business exists to discover, refine, and distribute new product to alter minds and enhance well-being. So when a euphoric sound makes its way into anyone’s ears — let alone the best new music I heard in years — without the benefit of professional dispensers or promoters, you have to wonder: “How did that happen?” Sure, loads of musical artists pop up on the charts straight out of their first basement recording sessions, but that’s not the case for an original, addictive hybrid style you could call “punk ’n’ billy,” as practiced by a veteran crew known as The Raelyn Nelson Band (RNB). Imagine three blond, three-chord rocker fellers backing a hot brunette neo-Linda Ronstadt/Rosanne Cash lead singer, to tunes out ...