New Riders of the Purple Sage

In the spirit of Gram Parsons's leafy green emblems emblazoned on his famous rhinestone suit, this 1973 release is a Cosmic American cult classic. The title track personifies "wacky tobaccy" as a comic book-styled outlaw hero, and "Lonesome L.A. Cowboy" pokes fun at the hipsters in SoCal's canyon rock scene.

If your idea of adventure is getting wasted, you too might end up in bed with Panama Red. And if your idea of country-rock singing is drawling at medium volume in the general vicinity of the correct pitch, you might think they're improving themselves by letting Dave Nelson and Dave Torbert take their turns at the mike. (Grade - C-)