October 2, 1998 

By Wayne Bledsoe, News-Sentinel 
music writer 

"All About Town," The 
V-Roys (E-Squared) 

The V-Roy's lovable debut album, 
"Just Add Ice," was like a party guest who comes 
through the door, ready for a good time. 

The band's gregarious and raucous roots-rock was 
irresistible at the outset. 

The group's follow-up, "All About Town" (due in 
stores Tuesday, Oct. 6) retains the group's winning 
formula, but it's more like that other party guest who 
takes an evening to get to know. 

But, it's worth the time. 

The songs and sounds of "All About Town" are 
more varied. The band has matured but not gotten 
old. The group dynamics keep things exciting. 

Vocalist-guitarist Scott Miller pulls the band toward 
more folksy bluegrass-rooted numbers, while 
co-vocalist-guitarist Mic Harrison veers to 
straight-ahead rock 'n' roll. 

And, drummer Jeff Bills and bassist Paxton Sellers 
provide spirited backup no matter what the 
situation. 

Some of the best tracks on "All About Town" will 
already be familiar to those who've seen the V-Roys 
perform. 

Miller's "Mary" is as catchy, folksy and unhinged as 
a John Prine number. 

And, the band is augmented by Michael 
Smotherman on Hammond B-3 organ and Ronnie 
McCoury on mandolin and background vocals 
(Ronnie McCoury reappears with the Del McCoury 
Band, minus Del, on Miller's "Virginia Way"). 

Harrison's fun "Amy 88" is the rock 'n' roll tale of a 
teenage obsession over a girl and her license plate. 

But while Harrison sticks with light-hearted topics 
(his "Miss Operater" is another catchy and 
Beatle-esque number), Miller's tales tend to be 
darker. 

Miller's girlfriend is "Strange" on a screamer that the 
13th Floor Elevators would've been proud to have 
recorded. 

And, on "Arianne" (co-written by Miller and Steve 
Earle) the title character disappears while 
skinny-dipping. 

Yet, the song that makes the album essential is 
"Fade Away," Miller's farewell to his late sister, 
Holly. 

The song's mid-tempo rhythm and Miller's nearly 
nonchalant delivery make the song far more 
effective and heartbreaking than a more 
conventional slow ballad tact. 

But, like nearly everything on the album (save some 
gimmicky production on "Sorry Sue"), the song 
sounds totally natural - much like the V-Roys 
themselves. 

And, that's about the best compliment you could 
give any artist. Grade: A 

Wayne Bledsoe is a music writer with The News-Sentinel.