John David Kent

Mainstream country music is certainly in need of a soulful revival. North Texas' John David Kent and his backing band, The Dumb Angels, just hope that they're the ones leading it.

Related Content

• Get To Know Your DOMAXXIII Nominees: Best Solo Act, Best Alt-Country/Roots Act, Best Country Act
  October 10, 2011
• John David Kent and the Dumb Angels: Letting the True Artist Shine Through.
  December 2, 2010
• Local Album Release News: Kirtland Re-Issues Jaffe EP, Bowling For Soup Preps Eleventh LP, Here Holy Spain Announces Sophomore Disc.
  March 7, 2011
• When Are The 37 Confirmed North Texas Acts Performing During SXSW ?
  February 14, 2011
• SXSW's Most Recent Performer Announcement Includes At Least 38 Bands With Area Ties
  January 14, 2011

More About

• John David Kent
• Jason Andrew
• Dumb Angels
• Promise Land
• Arts, Entertainment, and Media

Like this Story?

Sign up for the Music Newsletter: Keep your thumb on the local music scene with music features, additional online music listings and show picks. We'll also send special ticket offers and music promotions available only to our Music Newsletter subscribers.

Privacy Policy Cancel Continue

They've got a chance, actually: Sure, the former Radish drummer's latest, self-titled album has a reworked, revved-up version of "My Girl," the tune that has long caught the ears of country radio programmers all over the state. But it isn't the only track that could easily fit onto a station's playlist these days. Cuts such as "A Place to Call Home" and "Lover Undercover" are unique, contemporary-sounding tracks that fit the modern country radio format, even with Jason Andrew's expert fiddle dancing forcefully as a lead instrument.

Yes, it's the well-polished, catchy appeal of these tunes that gives the record its sparkle. But numbers like the gospel-stomping "Down to the Water" and the slowed-down, organ-enriched "In the Promise Land" lend the album some visceral substance, too.

Overall, the wide-range of tempos and the sonic scope of the album prevent it from being terribly cohesive. But that's no drawback. The most successful revivals always have broad appeal.