John Doe and the Sadies

As an icon to both punk rockers and Americana musicians, John Doe can pretty much have his pick of collaborators these days. The frontman of X has been pursuing subdued tones on recent solo albums, but he has given his sound a twangy Bakersfield boost by hiring Canadian cosmic-country outfit the Sadies to back him up on his new LP, Country Club. The disc features only four original numbers, instead favoring country-politan arrangements of songs made popular by Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, Tammy Wynette, Ray Price, Hank Snow, Porter Wagoner, and Kris Kristofferson. Doe's current tour in support of the collaboration may well offer the best country cover band you'll see all year.