Review: The Comancheros – A Decade In The Mirror

Rottweiler Records (March 22^nd 2025)

Reviewer – Chris O’Connor

For years, I’ve been a devoted fan of The Comancheros, frequently spinning their tracks on my radio shows. So, when the opportunity arose to review their latest release, I jumped at the chance. Hailing from Missouri—the “Show Me” state – the band embodies a potent fusion of Southern Rock and Outlaw Country, proudly citing influences as diverse as Merle Haggard, Motörhead, Judas Priest, and Johnny Cash. Their sound is raw, unfiltered, and dripping with attitude—just the way I like it.

‘A Decade in the Mirror’ is a glorious retrospective, compiling tracks that were previously unavailable in physical format, limited-edition EPs that long ago sold out, rare gems from split cassette releases, and live recordings never-before released. If you’re new to these Southern rock desperados, this album is the perfect place to dive in.

With sixteen powerhouse tracks showcasing the full breadth of their sound, ‘A Decade in the Mirror’ is a masterclass in gritty, no-nonsense Southern Rock and Rebel Country. The formidable trio—Tanner Jones (lead vocals, guitars), Jon ‘Deere’ Green (bass, vocals), and Michael ‘Bobcat’ Cook (drums)—deliver a sonic experience that, to my ears, also channels the spirit of David Allan Coe and Shooter Jennings, a testament to their rich musical DNA.

The album kicks off with ‘The Day George Jones Died’, a seamless blend of their rock and country influences and a personal favourite on my radio shows. Hot on its heels is ‘We Own the Night‘, a rollicking, groove-laden anthem that wouldn’t feel out of place in the Georgia Satellites’ catalogue.

From there, the band takes listeners on a dynamic journey: ‘Too Old to Die Young’ now reimagines ‘Auld Lang Syne’ as an a cappella ballad, leading into the lo-fi acoustic lament ‘Lonesome Old Singer’. Then, just as you settle into the mellow vibe, ‘Crazy as Hell’ bursts through with ZZ Top-style swagger, only to be followed by the thunderous ‘Comanche Brave’, where the unmistakable influence of Motörhead shines through in raw, insistent waves of sound.

Yet, just when you think you have The Comancheros figured out, they throw a curveball. ‘I Stare at Trains’ is an unexpected moment of beauty—acoustic guitars, lilting piano, and a haunting melody that evokes ‘Angie’ by The Rolling Stones and ‘Wish You Were Here’ by Pink Floyd. Then comes ‘Jesse James’, an intriguing track that opens with a fiddle before evolving into a brooding country-rock tale about the legendary outlaw.

The album’s country roots run deep in tracks like ‘White Stranger’, a mournful bluegrass ballad, and ‘Cold and Hungry’, where a melancholic fiddle and shared male-female vocals create an intimate, poignant moment. ‘Don’t Forget My Name’ continues this sombre, reflective streak, almost reminiscent of Alice in Chains’ acoustic work—if not for the fiddle solo, which firmly anchors it in country tradition.

The dark, storytelling traditions of Johnny Cash and David Allan Coe echo in ‘O Death’, while ‘The Black Wizard’ carries shades of Charlie Daniels and Merle Haggard. ‘It’s Too Late’ closes this portion of the album with a hushed, haunting nod to Willie Nelson and Hank Williams. The grand finale comes in the form of two electrifying live cuts recorded in Spain. ‘We Own the Night’ is reborn as an even more fiery, swaggering rocker than it’s studio incarnation, while ‘If I Could Pick a Way to Go’ brings the album to a raucous, foot-stomping, country rockin’ conclusion.

For those who might hesitate at the country stylings of The Comancheros, I urge you to embrace it—it’s as essential to their identity as their hard-hitting Southern Rock. Think of it as Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde—two sides of the same wild, untamed coin. So, dive in; the waters are as muddy as the Rio Grande, and that’s exactly how they should be. Hell yeah!

Tracklist:

1. The Day George Jones Died
2. We Own The Night
3. Too Old To Die Young
4. Lonesome Old Singer
5. Crazy As Hell
6. Comanche Brave
7. I Stare At Trains
8. Jesse James
9. White Stranger
10. Cold And Hungry
11. Don’t Forget My Name
12. The Black Wizard
13. O Death
14. It’s Too Late
15. We Own The Night (live in Spain)
16. If I Could Pick A Way To Go (live in Spain)

Line-up:

Tanner Jones – Vocals/Guitar
Jon Green – Vocals/Bass
R. Michael Cook- Drums

Web Links:

Official Website

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Bandcamp

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Rottweiler Records