“I see Jack as a Midwestern poet. He is more than just a country honky-tonker, he is a timeless Renaissance man.” - Pokey LaFarge. You wouldn’t expect radically progressive views in most honky-tonks, but St. Louis Americana artist Jack Grelle (pronounced Grell-EE) has done just that. Grelle adeptly weaves Cajun, Tejano, country, honky-tonk, rock and folk to create a passionately complex overlay of the genres. Through the diverse tracks on the album Grelle’s lyrical integrity stays consistent. From tackling the societal pressures women face on the title track to writing about the deeply personal, platonic love for his matriarchal grandmother on “Birthday Cards,” Grelle’s intelligent, passionate, and astute lyricism ties the album into a stirring and emotional piece of work. Featuring members of Pokey LaFarge’s band and members of the Bottle Rockets