Hillbilly Rock is the epitome of what the adult
Marty Stuart is all about. With a new groove that runs just left of center, while still retaining a classic country & western-bluegrass flair,
Hillbilly Rock is a wild ride to what surely must be honky tonk heaven. On par with
Dwight Yoakam's debut,
Hillbilly Rock sets the tone for a whole new faction of neo-traditionalists. Opening with the title cut, an infectious romp that demands your attention, and ending on a high note with a love song, "Since I Don't Have You," crafted by
Stuart and another tragically overlooked supernova,
Mark Collie, this is one heck of an album. "Western Girls," a favorite of the numerous cowgirls who follow his career, and the
Merle Kilgore-Tillman Franks tune "The Wild One" all demonstrate how effective
Marty Stuart is. "Cry, Cry, Cry," a
Johnny Cash hit, is made new again. While this release displays more of
Stuart's own songwriting skills, it also displays how deeply involved he is with the music he plays. ~ Jana Pendragon