"Hurdy Gurdy Monkey Shines" , the first track, is a swinging rockabilly number that lampoons the music biz to great effect. However, Dayton is creative enough to escape the 50s retro rocker sandtrap, easily shifting styles and textures in the subsequent songs. Gunslinger starts up with a ghostly Delta-sytle blues riff , then slams into high gear with the intensity of ZZ Top's "Lagrange". The next song, "Boystown," slows down with Mexican guitars and a soaring chorus. There are several other gems on the album too. All are well-written, both musically and lyrically.