Hacienda Brothers

Every now and then a country record comes along that requires zero qualifications -- no Nashville, no Texas, no alt, no nothing. It's that pure and direct. Unfortunately, Arizona Motel will probably serve as the Hacienda Brothers' swan song, as cofounder and singer Chris Gaffney unexpectedly died not long before its release. He'd be proud, though. Gems like "Use to the Pain" and "Ordinary Fool" are as majestic as they are soulful; they encapsulate everything that's classic about Southern music.