AMG Review of Van Go

Matthew Greenwald
All Music Guide

With the original band personnel intact, the second Beat Farmers album, Van Go, continues the group's approach as a down and dirty country-rock band. Lead singer/guitarist/songwriter Jerry Raney comes up with some great originals, such as "Deceiver" and "Gun Sale Down at the Church," that are delivered in the Farmers' sweaty, alcohol-drenched sound. There is also an amazing cover of Neil Young's "Powderfinger," which sounds like it was written for the band, and it's easily one of the album's highlights. Drummer/vocalist and part-time frontman Country Dick Montana continues on with his skewed version of Johnny Cash with an excellent version of "Big Ugly Wheels." All of this proves that a change to a major label didn't diminish the band's style or appeal.