Afar Vinyl & CDs

Review: Viva Lone Justice marks Lone Justice's first album in nearly four decades, featuring the original lineup of Maria McKee, Ryan Hedgecock, Marvin Etzioni, and the late Don Heffington. Known for pioneering the Alt-Country genre, Lone Justice made waves in the 1980s with their eponymous debut, which saw them sharing stages with U2, Tom Petty, and Willie Nelson. The new album combines nostalgia with fresh energy, with the opener, 'You Possess Me,' showcasing McKee's emotive vocals supported by a string and mandolin quartet. 'Rattlesnake Mama,' reimagined from its electric roots to an acoustic rendition, features Hedgecock on rhythm auto-harp and Tammy Rogers on fiddle. The album also includes a high-energy cover of The Undertones' 'Teenage Kicks.' With contributions from string arranger Tammy Rogers, horn player David Ralicke, Greg Leisz on steel guitar and Benmont Tench on piano, Viva Lone Justice revives the band's legendary live energy, blending old and new in a vibrant, heartfelt return.