The Donkeys

Indie kids used to revile the Dead, but my, how times have changed. The opening lick on "Walk Through a Cloud" sounds like a dusty relic from American Beauty or Workingman's Dead. The Donkeys also dig some Neil Young ("Dolphin Center") and America ("Dreamin'"). As if you haven't already guessed, the San Diego quartet is ga-ga for classic California country-rock. And while the Donkeys lack the musicianship of their heroes, they totally nail them laid-back rural vibes.