Cat In The Rain Turnpike Troubadours Poster

The Turnpike Troubadours, hailing from Tahlequah, Oklahoma, are an American country music band that came together in 2005. Known for their authentic sound deeply rooted in country and folk traditions, the band has gained a dedicated fan base and critical acclaim for their storytelling lyrics and dynamic performances.

The founding members of the Turnpike Troubadours include Evan Felker (vocals, guitar), R.C. Edwards (bass), Kyle Nix (fiddle), Ryan Engleman (guitar), and Gabe Pearson (drums). Together, they created a musical blend that reflects the rich musical heritage of their home state.

The band’s name, “Turnpike Troubadours”, pays homage to the Indian Nation Turnpike, a prominent highway in Oklahoma. This choice reflects the band’s connection to their roots and the landscapes that have influenced their music.

The band’s Troubadours are often associated with the Red Dirt music scene, a subgenre of country music known for its roots in Oklahoma and Texas. Their music is characterized by a mix of country, folk, and Americana, with lyrics that paint vivid pictures of life, love, and the complexities of the human experience.

“A Cat in the Rain” is a bit more even-keeled in terms of tempo this time around, with the only upbeat blasts of euphoria coming through in “Chipping Mill” and maybe the title track. It feels like a settled affair trying to find its way back to the light, which is a fitting way to describe the thematic arc and scope, too, given that this is probably the most fully formed effort from the group as simply a pure band effort.

The harmonies are comforting and inviting, and while Jennings softer production touches don’t allow the instrumentation to really pop as well as it usually does with this band – given how the mixing presents everything on a fairly even level – there is more variety present here than what it’s gotten credit for thus far. The Celtic flair anchoring “Brought Me” makes for one of their best-ever tracks, and murkier cuts like “Mean Old Sun“, “The Rut” and “Lucille” bring forth a ramshackle edge they’ve always brought to the table, even if the mood is more foreboding and less rambunctious.