Before you listen to Closer Now, you'll notice that its cover art suggests plenty. Besides the fact that the name Fightmaster sounds like a bad metal band, the record label, Bitchwarrior, doesn't dispel the presumption that you're in store for a mélange of metal and cranked-up Marshall cabinets. Oh, how wrong assumptions can sometimes be! Fightmaster is practically the exact opposite of these baseless hypotheses, as their hospitable Americana-rock is much more in line with Nashville country than European metal.

This trio, along with an occasional guest musician, creates a beautiful mix of alt-country and folk-tinged tunes, ranging from relaxed ballads to rockin', uptempo gratifiers that wrap satire, sentimentality and supple smoothness together in a First Place County-Fair ribbon. With Duke Fightmaster and Lesley Frost sharing lead vocal responsibilities, the diversity on Closer Now is fantastically enchanting. One of the album's more upbeat tracks, "Ego", has Duke and Lesley teaming up for powerful male/female harmonies, creating a tune that rocks out with a genuine sense of backwoods beauty. The convincing "Whiskey Bottle" teams jazz guitar phrasings with classic country musings, and will leave you crying into your...er, mixed whiskey drink. As Closer Now progresses, Frost's voice sounds uncannily like a young Mandrell sister; she isn't afraid to belt out her mixture of emotional suffering and personal reconciliation with a notably warm and friendly tone. "Everything" emulates a post-trauma Neil Young as harmonica and upbeat lyrics complete a session on emotional closure.

Another tasty slice of Americana, Closer Now lets its rock influences shine alongside the plodding country rhythms that make the band the genuine article. Authentic without sounding like a ragged group of drunks and smart enough to twist traditional song structures into contemporary classics, this San Francisco group unites its capable songwriting and musical talent in a successful music venture. Whether you covet the gun or the bottle, or just like to indulge in a bit of homely entertainment, Fightmaster has the will, the way and most importantly, the songs to satisfy your escapist tendencies.