by Andrew McElwee

All things considered, No Justice captures that seldom-found clarity and sentiment every musician strives for on a live recording.

Often times, live albums serve as filler, not to be taken as seriously as their studio counterparts.

Such is not the case with No Justice. With the release of their Live at Billy Bob's Texas CD, No Justice breaks those subtle restraints of the engineering booth, and instead offers a sound as unique as the band itself.

Hailing from Stillwater, Oklahoma (the same stomping grounds as Cross Canadian Ragweed), No Justice brings it home with "a little grit and a lot of soul". The group came together in 2000, when frontman Steve Rice teamed up with guitarist Jerry Payne and previous members of No Justice (then a dance cover band). After several changes in the lineup, they added Brandon Jackson (backup vocals & guitar), bassist Joey Trevino, and drummer Armando Lopez.

If you've ever had a really good margarita, you know it's because it's made with several special flavors. The same holds true for No Justice. The five-piece is a literal concoction of musical styles, ranging from 90's rock to metal to fusion jazz.

"Each one of us has a different set of influences," commented Steve Rice. "We write our own parts for the songs. The country is in the lyrics."

Ah, country. The active ingredient.

With the the rawness of Audioslave, the funk beat of Jet, and the grassroots melody of Alabama, No Justice creates a distinct sound among the country music ranks. Backed by two prior studio successes, Far from Everything and their self-titled No Justice, the musical prowess of this five-piece culminates in their Live at Billy Bob's album.

It's hard to skip tracks on this record without losing some of the experience. But since space limits us, we'll focus on the definite crowd pleasers. "Red Dress," with its easy-going rhythm, contains an impeccable harmony both rough and smooth. If anything, it's a confession of sincerity to someone who's clearly more than her choice of apparel.

"Spinning Wheel," a track that's perfect for a fast drive through west Texas (or twirling your lady on the dance floor) is another certified winner. With Armando's smashing cymbals, Jerry's Townshend-like guitar riffs, and the aggressiveness of both vocalists, this song has 'hit' written all over it.

Then there's "Bend But Don't Break," arguably the band's signature piece. It's got that lyrical hook that quickly draws you in with its powerful melody, interwoven with just the right amount of bass.

Speaking of hooks and double-takes, the group also sneaks in a cover of U2's "With or Without You," alongside "Only You." Genius.

All things considered, No Justice captures that seldom-found clarity and sentiment every musician strives for on a live recording.

"I think we went about it the right way," says Rice. "We just took it real seriously, and it was engineered really well."

Factor in the band's charisma, you'll see why Live at Billy Bob's has enjoyed a level of success on par with Garth Brooks's Double Live record. No rehearsed act can, quite honestly, do it justice.

For more information on No Justice, including tour dates, check them out at www.nojustice.com.

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