Oklahoma Red Dirt legends the Turnpike Troubadours have been on a self-imposed hiatus since 2019, but as their recent multi-night stint at Nashville’s legendary Ryman Auditorium proved, they certainly didn’t let any rust settle in during their time off. And A Cat in the Rain, their first LP in six years, clearly puts the exclamation point on that statement.
The 10-track record, produced by Shooter Jennings, is everything fans have come to love about the Oklahoma band: it’s driving Americana with smart, but relatable lyrics. Despite a fanbase that stretches across the globe, the fiercely independent band with a DIY ethos that’s more punk rock than traditional country, the band hasn’t lost any of that loyalty to their followers. Their recent single “Brought Me,” is in part a love letter to those crowds. “It’s about our fans, honestly,” says singer Evan Felker. “Or the idea of a crowd and being able to play for a crowd or having the attention of an audience. It’s sort of a thank you to people who stuck with us through this. The fact we get to come back and play for these amazing crowds that are thousands and thousands of people singing along? It’s an expression of gratitude.”
1. “Mean Old Sun”
2. “Brought Me”
3. “Lucille”
4. “Chipping Mill”
5. “The Rut”
6. “A Cat in the Rain”
7. “Black Sky”
8. “Easy Side Love Song (Bottoms Up)”
9. “Three More Days”
10. “Won’t You Give Me One More Chance”