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 Caught in the Carousel - Music Reviews and More
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The Reverend Payton's Big Damn Band
The Whole Fam Damnily
Side One Dummy Records
The Reverend Payton and his cohorts (his wife Breezy and his brother Jayme—I know, three people does not a big damn band make) live up the road from the church in rural Indiana where this album was recorded. They also had a yard sale, sold everything they owned and "hit the road." What I want to know is: Who in the hell does that anymore? And how in the hell does that work anymore, the price of gas alone notwithstanding? And what road did they hit exactly? Route 66? The Rev is no slouch when it comes to fingerpicking; his sound is authentic and slightly reminiscent of Ry Cooder on 17 beers. The Rev's singing voice, however, is sketchy at best and he may well have walked away from a solid career as an auctioneer. Most of the cuts on The Whole Fam Damnily appear to have been recorded in one take (maybe they only had the church for the afternoon, Praise the Lord) but it might be that slapdash sound that makes it so damn appealing. There's no poetry here; no innuendos, no symbolism, no double meanings, no bullshit. These lyrics are meant to be taken literally. The first cut "Can't Pay the Bill" is by far the best of the bunch—the pace is frenetic and begs to be heard live. "Walmart Killed The Country Store" is wonderfully poignant and "Your Cousin's On Cops" is about Breezy's cousin being arrested near the Indianapolis 500 (shirtless I'm gathering). I shit you not. The band does such a top-notch version of "Worn Out Shoe" it's worth tracking that van down somewhere between here and Bloomington, Indiana to give them a listen. Apparently, their raucous live shows have become the stuff of legend. Bring yer boots and some roadkill and don't make eye contact.
—Yvonne Prinz
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