Homeland Insecurity (Self-released, 2019)

A cowboy is pictured riding a horse on the cover of Flatland Calvary's "Homeland Insecurity," heading for the big city. Homeland Security is the department created to fight terrorism, but many of Flatland Calvary's songs speak about in-home insecurities of the romantic variety, more so than any sort of international terrorist threat.

The best song, "Pretty Women," is a sad overview of 'pretty on the outside, sad on the inside' girls. "Some pretty women," the group reminds us, "are just really sad little girls." The implication: a girl might grow into a beautiful woman, without ever outgrowing an unhappy childhood. Sad is something Flatland Cavalry does well because "Sleeping Alone" faces separation sadness head-on. The latter is sung over little more than a finger picked acoustic guitar part. "Other Side of Lonesome," however, describes a hopeful destination that awaits anyone overcoming romantic blues.

Flatland Cavalry's music will appeal to fans of Jon Pardi and the like because this is traditional country, from start to finish. "Old School" namedrops Alan Jackson and George Strait, which should give you a good indication of where the Lubbock,Texas group's inspiration comes from. Some might laugh and call these influences old, but it sounds like these country players received a solid traditional country music education.