Eternal rabble-rouser Eddie Spaghetti and Co. return with another helping of shit-kicker power country in the vein of 1997’s Must’ve Been High. Guest spots from the incomparable Hayes Carll and sultry crooner Lydia Loveless only add to that allure. The release falls on the heels of the frontman’s battle with stage-three oropharanx cancer and a string of cancelled European dates; he promises to make a full recovery complete with touring in support. Godspeed, Eddie. From the hell-bent harp howling of the album-opening title track to the perhaps tongue-in-cheek backhand at the state of so-called pop country and its seemingly nonsensical, at times uncreative wordplay on “Let’s Bounce,” Holdin’ The Bag pleases the punks and suppresses the alt-country garage rockers alike. Choice covers of Bocephus and Shaver close out the record like a late-round one-two combination.
—Scott Zuppardo
