By Ken Paulson
—Goodbye Normal Street, the Turnpike Troubadours’ third album, boasts driving roots and country music, strong narratives and a disproportionate number of songs about really bad relationships.

From the aptly titled “Wrecked:” “But you wrecked it all/ you wrecked my heart/you wrecked our house and you wrecked my car.” “Good Lord Lorrie” suggests a bit of the Band, a finely-crafted song about a romance that goes well – until it doesn’t.

It’s not all not-quite-love songs, though. “Morgan Street” is a joyous invitation to “Drink up the night, close down the bars,” a “Down at the Twist and Shout” for a new audience.

Other highlights: “Before the Devil Knows We’re Dead,” “Blue Star” and “Quit While I’m Ahead.”
The album will be released May 8 on Bossier City/Thirty Tigers.