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What's more American than a y'allternative band from Ohio? Comparing all of their songs to the menu of Texas Roadhouse, of course! Vegans beware. As we prepare for the busiest BBQ time of the year with the 4th of July quickly approaching, what better way to review the new shred, white, and blue-drenched Bilmuri record AMERICAN MOTOR SPORTS than making a menu out of it?

Starting with "BETTER HELL (Thicc boi)," this track is easily the mouth-watering, beloved Texas Roadhouse buttered roll of the album. Teeming with warm instrumentation and addictively twangy vocals, this catchy tune prepares the listener's sonic palate for the feast that is the rest of this delicious LP. Just be sure not to fill up too much on it. 

Moving onto the apps, "EMPTYHANDED" could best be compared to the fried jalapeño Rattlesnake Bites. The track paints a sad yet savory story of betrayal, featuring sharp, biting lyrics, especially on the hook as lead singer Johnny Franck belts, "Why is it always up to you and I'm collateral damage?/ How do you always get your way, and I never understand it?/ Cut me so deep and didn't even leave a bandage/ Why does it always fill you up leaving me emptyhanded?" With a feature from rising country star Dylan Marlowe and an iconic Kevin James sample in the bridge to boot, this track packs some HEAT.

OK, who's cutting up onions? Oh, it's just the record's next track, "MISS ME," aka the Cactus Bloom of the LP. This ballad is a real gut punch; it's more mellow, stripped-down instrumentation and has heartfelt lyricism about a serious relationship that has fallen apart. Listeners find Franck in the midst of examining where the relationship went wrong, confused by his partner "telling me to leave, but then you beg me to stay/ It shouldn't have to happen this way." On the song's hook, he wrestles with finding a balance between seeking clarity and finding the space to move on, belting to the ether, "So if you miss me, then why'd you have to leave me?/ Don't say you're sorry and don't tell me that you need me/ 'Cause I'm going home alone tonight/ Never knowing if I'll see those eyes again/ And now I'm trying to forget/ So don't tell me that you miss me."

"SPINNIN' YOU AROUND" exudes classic Bilmuri sonic touchstones and is, quite frankly, a strong contender for the best Bilmuri track to date. Therefore, it is THE classic All-American Cheeseburger. It has breakdowns galore, a flirtatious prog-metal guitar solo, and a catchy-as-hell chorus from the project's mastermind. What's not to love?

At the halfway point of the album, listeners are met with the previously released hit single “2016 CAVALIERS (Ohio)” featuring emerging indie pop-rock artist Knox and all we can say is this song is a stunning, prime cut piece of STEAK. It starts off with a mellow country vibe but quickly escalates into a vibrant guitar riff that sets the tempo for the entire track. Bilmuri and Knox masterfully sustain the song's energy as they sing about a past relationship that had to end for the greater good. This anthem injects a surge of energy that would make any late-night summer drive with the sun setting on the horizon an instant core memory. Also, there's a blaring sax that makes a lasting impression after the choruses, and that's pretty fucking rad.

“ALL GAS” is easily a steaming bowl of Texas Red Chili. If you need to ask yourself why, think a little harder. And if you still don’t get it, welp, can’t help ya there.

“BLINDSIDED” is a hard-hitting track about betrayal, but you know what could never betray you? A juicy rack of ribs. Like a meticulously crafted BBQ rub, this song contains multitudes with its intricate guitar riffs, thrumming bass lines, and slightly campy-yet-satisfying sax arrangement. It’s an undeniable hit with something for everyone and is simply finger-licking good.

Like a nice hearty serving of green beans, "STRAIGHT THROUGH YOU (feat. A R I Z O N A)" is a simply solid and honestly slept-on track. It’s a light compliment to the heavier offerings on this menu — we mean record. Its dynamic, synthy layers and satisfying, glossy vocal harmonies mix in beautifully with the more metalcore elements that listeners have come to expect at this point of the album. The moral of the story is NEVER SLEEP ON YOUR GREENS.

What could be more American than a slice of Granny’s Apple Classic Pie? Well, maybe a few things, but "TALKIN' 2 UR GHOST” is for sure one of them. It’s got sick fiddle arrangements, depression, the crushing weight of deep regrets; it’s got EVERYTHING! It’s the kind of song that begs you to ugly cry on the floor while eating a bowl of ice cream by yourself and wishing you could go back in time and fix your mistakes, especially as Franck belts the hook, “...I'd be talkin' to your ghost/ And I'd be beggin' you to haunt me, askin' you to want me/ My body would be so cold.”

"DRUNK ENOUGH.” This is pretty self-explanatory. This song is an ice-cold beer, margarita with salt on the rim, or any alcoholic beverage on the menu. Franck pours his heart over the track's smooth production and intoxicating melody on this emotional finale. Ironically, though, this disarming yet deeply relatable song is actually about putting the drink down and realizing you need real love from people instead of boozing…so maybe opt for a Big Ol’ Brownie instead.

Make sure to tip your waiter, take a food coma nap, and stream Bilmuri’s latest album, AMERICAN MOTOR SPORTS, today!