Headliner Max Stalling was somewhat stale by comparison, even in spite of his first-class country songwriting. Delivered in a smooth, country baritone, Stalling's lyrics are his greatest asset, as he showed in the ballad "Fermented Evenings," which tells the story of love gone wrong with a drunken metaphor: "Sweet fruit that was our love/Has been replaced by alcohol." Stalling's band proved its talent when the guys stretched out into some Southwestern jazz during "The Pila Song," but their simple arrangements quickly grew monotonous, causing Stalling's songs to run together toward the middle of the set. Perhaps they could learn a thing or two from 50 Peso Reward, which clearly won the battle of the backing bands on this night.