Semi-local boy Rusty Bridgers is probably better known for his affiliation with Athens experimental rock outfit Soundtrack Mind. However, on his debut solo effort Jalapeño, Bridgers lays down seven tracks worth of home recordings that - save for an oddly out of place instrumental (a jammy excursion called "the Walk") - are equal parts moody and sentimental and heavy on the country side.
"Today I Quit Drinkin'" could've been an Alan Jackson-ized snorefest with its references to George Jones, Tammy Wynette and the Hag, but given Bridgers' warm and woozy delivery it's actually one of the better on-and-off-the-wagon sing-a-longs to pass by these ears in a while. "My Guitar Smells Like Cigarettes" pinpoints the haphazard lifestyles of traveling musicians everywhere, recalling both fringe country loons Green On Red and road wizened great Roger Miller.
In the liner notes to Jalapeño, Bridgers encourages the listener to "please make a copy to share with someone." But if you dig country that's barefoot, homegrown and stripped down, it might be best to adopt a Jalapeño of your own.
Michael Andrews

From managing tours for artists on Real World Records (Peter Gabriel's record label), to playing just about every damn single sound heard on his solo debut “Jalapeño,” Rusty Bridgers is an Americana force to be reckoned with. A proud resident of the great state of Georgia, Bridgers adopts the twang of a guitar as well as the steel sound from country and western while updating it to contemporary measures. Drawing similar parallels to Steve Earle & the Dukes, Bridgers' sound is so intense that the music need not be classified in a category, but rather be left to a discriminating ear for experiencing. Taking the static sounds of bluegrass through the new millennium after having worked the songs on “Jalapeño” for about 8 years, Bridgers includes instrumental tracks such as the title track with the ever-jumpy Earle-esque “My Guitar Smells Like Cigarettes,” and the standard country topic of drinking in “Today I Quit Drinkin.” “Jalapeño” is the fresh sound of the South with contemporary instrumentalism that is sure to make Hank Williams and Johnny Cash proud. By Mario R. Martin

Soundtrack Mind's Rusty Bridgers coaxed some sweet sounds out of his Les
Paul - each song showcased a different style, all very interesting to
hear.

Soundtrack Mind are a guitar-drums-bass trio that cook up sprightly rhythms with gleeful melodies and often brilliant lead guitar work. My favorite parts from Rusty Bridgers include the Bernie Leadon-style “Town” with a glittering solo and the furious acoustic strumming of “Clear My Name.” Whoever contributes the banjo to “Lonely Tonight” deserves a special award for lifting the track to another level.