Genuine (Lucky Dog, 2003)

After eight years, hundreds of live shows, and four records that never got the radio airplay that could have given them the popularity they deserved, The Derailers made a bid for a piece of the mainstream their way with 2001's "Here Come The Derailers." Who could have known that, despite a record that finally shook them loose from the "retro" scarlet letter, a Sept. 11, 2001 release date would have put up one more barrier to the breakthrough they'd sought?

A year and a half later, The Derailers are back with their best record since 1997's "Reverb Deluxe," and the transformation into radio-friendly country band is complete as can be. Veteran Nashville producer Kyle Lehning returns, and the passage of time and experience gained, as well as a record replete with co-writes with outside writers, has transformed the old Derailers into the new.

The "Bakerspool/Liverfield" vibe is still there, sure enough (particularly on the two songs written by the band themselves, "Leave A Message Juanita,"and "Scratch My Itch"), but the satisfaction here is in how well the classic elements of The Derailers sound have been molded into a new, individual style. The Derailers are as true to their roots as they've always been, but they're no longer held down by them.