Three Gut records has begun to make a name for themelves by releasing honest genuine music from talented acts mainly coming out of Ontario. Cuff the Duke's newest release is just that; genuine, mature and cohesive. Recorded by Andy Mogoffin (Royal City, Slight Return, Constantines) this album has all the conventions of a classic country/western album. These boys are very young, yet their debut sounds as though they have been in the game for quite sometime. "Life Stories for Minimum Wage" is full of songs about frustration, lonliness, heartbreak and the female curveball. This album is jammed packed with great arrangenents and instrumentations (organs, moog, harmonica), with each track remaining fluent in style as the sounds tell a story to its listeners. By the end of this record you'll be convinced that you don't have to be old to enjoy a good ol' country ho-down, and that a pay raise is definetly in the cards for these fine young lads.

By Matt Bourassa
May 28, 2003