Plenty of Sauce, Not Quite Enough Meat

Lead vocalist and bass player of the self-proclaimed “Greatest Rock ‘n’ Roll Band in the World,” Supersuckers, Eddie Spaghetti has released his second solo album, The Value of Nothing, a solid blend of country and hard rock that will appease most any fan of either style. Like outlaw country for beginners, The Value of Nothing is just tame enough for those who aren’t well versed in country rock music, and has just enough aggression to appeal to heavier music fans. While not a spectacular album, the talent and energy of Eddie Spaghetti could produce something really impressive in the future.

The Value of Nothing moves through a range of genres, from upbeat- almost pop country tunes, to slow sweet ballads, and there’s even a little polka in the song “People Are Shit.” Eddie Spaghetti takes old-fashioned country themes and gives them a modern twist with electric guitars, raspy vocals, and a good bit of attitude. This isn’t always successful though, as seen in songs like “Fuckin’ With My Head,” where Eddie seems to be cursing for the sake of cursing and trying just a bit too hard to be “punk,” but ends up feeling rather corny. The most engaging track on the album is “I’ve Got a Secret” which shows a darker side than we’ve seen in the rest of the songs, and is a great example of the versatility of Eddie Spaghetti’s musicianship.

While The Value of Nothing may not stick out particularly among the rock — or country — releases this year and may not necessarily stand the test of time, it is a thoroughly enjoyable album to listen to and undoubtedly will leave some songs stuck in your head. Anyone who likes their country with a little edge or their rock with a little twang will find a happy, if a little cheesy, medium in Eddie Spaghetti.