The album opens with "Trouble Bound," which surpisingly begins with some beautiful a cappella vocal work, voices softly singing, "Trouble, trouble, trouble." You might think it was the beginning of a gospel number. That vocal work, by the way, is by the Jordinaires. "Well, I'm old enough to know the score," Phil then sings, and we are into a delicious rock and roll number. "Well, that's all right, I'm just here for the fun." There is plenty of fun here to be had, no question. The backing vocalists echo, "Trouble bound." They also deliver a nice "Mmm bop bop" part that adds to the song's charm and appeal. And in the second half, Dave delivers a good lead on guitar. That's followed by "Just Another Sunday." This one was written by Dave Alvin and John Doe (of X), and it has a different vibe, a different sound, feeling a little more serious. It also has an interesting beat. While much of The Blasters' music feels like it comes from an earlier time, this song has more of an 1980s flavor. They tell us, "And it's just another Sunday/In a small town motel," and then, "It's just another Sunday in hell." How can you not love that line?
The band then goes more into Cajun territory with "Hey, Girl," which features accordion. That's David Hidalgo (of Los Lobos), by the way. And yet it's still rock and roll, a Cajun sort of rock and roll. It's a whole lot of fun, and features some good stuff on guitar. And even while Phil sings, "Hey, girl, don't you stay gone long/Don't you keep me hanging on/I hope you're fakin'/My heart is breakin'/Girl, don't you stay gone long," the song has such a cheerful vibe. Things then get into bluesy territory at the beginning of "Dark Night," one of the album's coolest tracks. Yeah, it's heavier, but so damn good. Check out these opening lines: "Hot air hangs like a dead man/From a white oak tree/People sitting on porches/Thinking how things used to be/Dark night/It's a dark night." The repetition of the line "It's a dark night" drives the point home, and grabs us. We can't help but agree. And this song features a strong vocal performance. "I thought these things didn't matter anymore/I thought all that blood had been shed long ago/Dark night/It's a dark night."
"Little Honey" was written by Dave Alvin and John Doe, yet has quite a different feel from "Just Another Sunday." There is a country vibe to this one from the start, with that great work on fiddle. That's Richard Greene, and his instrument plays a prominent role in this great track. "Little honey, it won't make me mad/If you tell me about a boyfriend that you had/Who lied last night, who made you sad/Who left you cryin' by the side of the road/Who left you cryin' to walk home all alone." The band then delivers a wonderful rendition of the traditional number "Samson And Delilah," this one featuring some excellent backing vocal work. It's quite a different approach from, say, how the Grateful Dead handled this song, in large part because of the backing vocals. And the guitar has a delicious, raw sound. It works so well.
"Colored Lights" is the song that John Cougar Mellencamp gave The Blasters. John Mellencamp's version would eventually be included on On The Rural Route 7609, a four-disc boxed set released in 2010. Interestingly, this version by The Blasters sounds more like what John Mellencamp sounded like in the 1980s; that drum beat at the beginning could easily be by Kenny Aronoff. "How do you talk to an angel?/I wish I knew/And when the room goes dark/They're going to turn on the colored lights." This song was also released as a single. It is followed by "Help You Dream," which is delightful from the start, with that wonderful backing vocal work. This track has an excellent mix of early rock and roll and country vibes, with a strong bass line. "'Cause you're the prettiest woman I think I've ever seen/And tonight if you let me I'd like to help you dream." I love that. And I love how later the woman kind of calls him out on his lines, "You should have been in movies/You say you haven't heard that in a while." This is one of my personal favorite tracks. It features some really nice stuff on piano.
The album takes another interesting turn with "Common Man," which has a bluesy edge and a catchy rhythm. These lines certainly strike us these days: "He says he's your friend/A friend of the common man/He's got all the answers/The good days will be back soon." Yikes! Things just don't change, do they? The problem is that there are too many stupid people who fall for this kind of crap every time. Who would have thought they'd fall for it from a supposed billionaire who continually bragged about being rich, a guy who clearly never worked a day in his life? But they did fall for it, over and over and over. I love the intensity of this song, and I love that guitar work. This is a song that should be played for all the fascist fools, but of course they won't get the message. The album concludes with "Rock And Roll Will Stand," a delicious rock and roll number, owing something to Chuck Berry. "Soon you'll have the biggest record in the land/Everybody knows rock and roll will stand." The piano lead here is bloody great. And, hey, even if you don't make it, the music will keep you going.
CD Track List
- Trouble Bound
- Just Another Sunday
- Hey, Girl
- Dark Night
- Little Honey
- Samson And Delilah
- Colored Lights
- Help You Dream
- Common Man
- Rock And Roll Will Stand
This special re-issue of Hard Line was released on February 6, 2026 through Liberation Hall.
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