Just when ya start to think that the oxymoron "American Music" means either Rap or Techno, someone like Citizens' Utilities comes along to remind you that there are still some guys out there trying to imbue their tunes with a genuine, sincere, country flavor that reaches deep into the land of rolling hills and semi trucks. No More Medicine is an extremely strong sophomore effort from the band that toured with, and posesses more than a few similarities to, Whiskeytown. It's basically alt- country- pop with hearty doses of tasty real instruments, fragile and delicate vocals from the boys and quirky, twangy guitar coverage. Although more optimistic than Whiskeytown, No More Medicine has a sense of loss about it; most of the songs telling us of their beer- soaked, regretful lives. A sort of energized dirge to the drunken evening, written and recorded in the brightness of a beautiful afternoon. They're not afraid to mate a solid melody to their hangovers. It's honest, straightforward music with snatches of harmonica and flute, the occasional jumpin' riff, and the odd ballad to keep it mixed. If your local place of beer- worship has sawdust on the floors, or if "dip" is a word you use to refer to tobacco, you ought to pick it up.

-James P. Wisdom