James Robert Webb – ‘Weekend Outlaw’ [Album Review]

Weekend Outlaw, the fourth album from singer-songwriter James Robert Webb, builds on the buzz set in motion by Webb’s 2024 EP, Ride or Die, including two tracks that soared up the Texas Regional Radio Report chart: “Gentlemen Start Your Weekends,” which hit #2 and the chart-topping “Lovesick Drifting Cowboy.”

Along with previously released tracks like “Ride or Die,” “New Moon Light,” “Buenos Noches Nagocdoches,” “Adore,” “Lost in Vega$,” “Local Participating Honky Tonk,” and “Time’s a Wastin,” Weekend Outlaw offers brand-new material: the fiery country-rock title track, and the quixotic “She’s Not You.”

Weekend Outlaw is an inspired tribute to those who grew up in working-class families and went on to become productive professionals like Webb, who in his day job is a top-notch musculoskeletal radiologist. Even though successful, they all realize that a fulfilling life involves more than a thriving career.

Webb explains, “We’re all aware of the fleetingness of life, and know we’ve got to do it. The whole ‘Weekend Outlaw’ mentality is about being true to our passions. My goal with the album is to encourage listeners to take ownership of their free time and follow the pursuits that come after clocking out on Friday night.”

In 2016, Webb released his debut long player, Pictures. He broke through when two songs from his self-titled album, “Something Out of Nothing” and “Stealing Home,” took the top spot on the Texas Regional Radio Report chart.

In 2022, Nashville’s Music Row Magazine named Webb the Country Breakout Awards’ Independent Artist of the Year. In 2023, the Texas Regional Radio Report Music Awards nominated him for the New Faces Award.

If that’s not enough, his single/music video, “Okfuskee Whiskey,” a song based on his great-grandfather, who was a moonshiner, hit #2 on Billboard’s Country Indicator chart and #14 on Music Row Magazine‘s Country Breakout chart. With more than 1,300,000 views on YouTube, “Okfuskee Whiskey” motivated Tulsa’s Red Fork Distillery to partner with Webb to create a regional whiskey of the same name.

James Robert Webb, photo by Shervin Lainez

In 2025, Webb will make his acting debut in the holiday film, Music City Mistletoe, featuring a pair of his songs.

Encompassing 12 tracks, entry points on Weekend Outlaw include the title track, a guitar-driven rocker brimming with vibrant, layered harmonics topped by Webb’s energizing vocals, ranging from a rapid-fire flow to more melodic textures.

“Gentlemen Start Your Weekends,” featuring Classic Williams, rolls out on low-slung shimmering tones, and then takes off, revealing a pushing rhythm crowned by a braying organ and gleaming guitars. Upbeat and compelling, the melody pulls listeners in with its magnetic charisma and galvanizing mood.

A personal favorite because of its propelling motion, “Ride Or Die” is the perfect tune for cruising down the Pacific Coast Highway on a warm, summer night. Lower all the windows and turn the volume up, letting Webb’s dynamic voice escort you down the road.

The bluesy “Lovesick Drifting Cowboy,” vaguely reminiscent of countrified Stevie Ray Vaughn, drawls and grimaces with oozing melancholy. Another favorite because of its tender surfaces, “Buenos Noches Nacogdoches” glides on gentle surfaces as Webb’s evocative vocals unveil wistful emotions.

Silky and beautifully undulating, “Adore” depicts intimate emotions of love and admiration: “Trust in me, I’ll be there for you / Can’t you see that I adore you / When your friends have all gone / And you’re on your own / Trust in me, I’ll be there for you / Can’t you see that I adore you.”

The final track, “She’s Not You,” compares a present lover with the heavenly aching feeling for a former lover. The current lover is perfect in every way, warm, kind, and affectionate. The “only catch” is “she’s not you.”

On his fourth album, the splendid Weekend Outlaw, James Robert Webb gets to the emotional viscera of country music.

Weekend Outlaw Track Listing:

1. Weekend Outlaw
2. Gentlemen Start Your Weekends (feat. Classic Williams)
3. Ride Or Die
4. Times A Wastin’
5. Lovesick Drifting Cowboy
6. Lost In Vega$
7. New Moon Light
8. Local Participatin’ Honky Tonk
9, Buenos Noches Nacogdoches
10. Adore
11. She’s Not You
12. Gentlemen Start Your Weekends

Run Time: 45:39
Release Date: June 6, 2025
Record Label: Independent