The simple term “country-rock” is convenient, and heck, it’s one that I use often. Even though that descriptor covers a ton of musical ground, in the case of certain bands, it will fall irredeemably short. While we’re at it, let’s throw the term “indie-rock” into that very same, short-falling pile.

Trying to figure what it is that I’m trying to get at? Give a listen to the latest album from Lubbock band, The Thrift Store Cowboys and you’ll get the drift pretty quickly, I imagine. Their fourth studio album, the flawless Light-Fighter, is a hard to define collection of twelve tunes that blend the sounds of electric guitar, fiddle, banjo, pedal-steel, organ, spaghetti westerns and the his/her vocals of Daniel Fluitt and Amanda Shires, who is a fantastic solo-artist in her own right, as evidenced with her West Cross Timbers album from last year.

The indie rock meets twang vibe of this record shouldn’t be too much a surprise to those who have followed the band for sometime. In fact, the man who produced this record, Craig Schumacher, has a bit of history in this area, as well. Producing the likes of Neko Case and Calexico, who are perhaps even tougher to define as artists, than this album is, has provided Schumacher with an identifiable signature, at this point in time.

Look, for those of you who have read a few of my rantings, here on The Squawker, it’s also not surprising that I’d be drawn to a band that has chosen such a distinct path to fulfilling their creative souls. There’s enough talent here to fill any of the college-town dives that have come to be home for so many random, lame, and generic Texas country acts. But, that’s not their path, and it shows on tunes such as the spacey, moody rocker “You Can’t See The Light” and “Nothing,” a mournful, beautiful, fiddle-laced tune that few would doubtful ever tip their ballcap and hoist an ironically purchased PBR to.

Thanks goodness.

Kelly Dearmore is a freelance writer, mean pot of chili maker and opinionated music lover. To read more about what Kelly is listening to, visit him here on The Squawker weekly or daily on his personal music blog, The Gobblers Knob