The Flatlanders Treasure Of Love (CD)

(Rack 'Em Records) 15 tracks, digisleeve

The "hippie country pioneers" and "one of country rock's most influential bands" with a new studio album of re-recorded classics and new songs.Listening to "Treasure of Love", The Flatlanders' first new album in more than a decade, it's soon clear that the bonds between the band members are now deeper and stronger than ever. Completed during the COVID 19 lockdown with the help of longtime friend and collaborator Lloyd Maines, the album showcases the legendary Texas trio of Joe Ely, Jimmie Dale Gilmore and Butch Hancock in inclusive form - songs filled with wry humour and raw heartbreak.

While some of the songs here are never-before-heard originals, the vast majority of the tracklist consists of vintage songs recorded by the band during their50-year career. Some date back to the group's earliest gigs in the honkytonks of Lubbock, TX, where you might have seen Willie Nelson or Townes Van Zandt in the audience. Nowadays, you might find fans like the Coen Brothers or David Byrne in the audience, but the spirit of The Flatlanders remains the same: everything is better with friends.