Kansas City's tried and true Eoyore's lived up to their name at The Comet on June 6, performing enough original, lonesome, down-hearted songs to make the most happy-go-lucky folks around get a bottle of whiskey and a loaded revolver ready - just in case. They played the songs from their Bloodshot debut, Forever Always Ends, along with some new ones that they're currently recording for their next release, due in September. They opened with "I Always Cry at Weddings" and continued with some of the best in lyrical wit that you'll ever hear - "Between a Rock and a Heartache," "Make Me Hate You Before You Go" (my personal favorite) and the new song "Forget Her or Die Cryin.'"

Hobart's ability to write lyrics that are completely depressing, while so intently living up to the tradition of humor in country is remarkable. His songs make it obvious that you're allowed to wallow in your sorrow, but you better remember to laugh at yourself. And the fact that his band is musically sincere and well skilled makes for a great combination.

Rex Hobart on acoustic guitar and vocals is the perfect front man - cute and friendly, with frequent pained facial expressions that lead you to think this seemingly normal modern cowboy may just have lived what he's wrote. Hobart was backed up by an electric guitarist, a bassist and a drummer who played so light you might of thought the sun actually was shining. But the real treat was a pedal steel player whose subtle talent glued the band together.

With the rest of Cincinnati's music-loving crowd across the river at that Stereolab thing, Hobart and the boys played to about a dozen people or so for their first set. They took a break and started up again once some post Southgate House revelers came in, playing 'til closing time.

Well honed at what they do, Rex Hobart & The Misery Boys certainly put on a good show, but theirs is not a musical experience for everyone.

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