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- The Charlotte Observer - Fri, Jun. 20, 2008

At the center of the South Carolina four-piece's debut album are guitarist Kathy Neal's clever lyrics, which range from poignant to humorous. Although not doggedly feminist, "El Camino" is a collection of songs for women who aren't hiding their rough edges, much like the ladies who lead South 85. Not since Loretta Lynn has a singer embraced her Southern-ness so wholeheartedly as Tracy Wyatt, whose twangy accent frequently creates two syllables from one.

"El Camino" isn't a slick Nashville production, which makes it more authentically country than what regularly comes out of Nashville. It's unapologetically real and tough, with songs about women discovering independence. Besides a knack for memorable melodies ("Hold Me," "Firefly"), Neal writes the sexiest country-rock lyrics this side of Lucinda Williams ("Sex and Laundry," "El Camino").

Too country for Nashville? Too sexy for country? That's not a bad thing.

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