“Didn’t Come Here to Count ’Em” by The Best Around

With a name like The Best Around, expectations are naturally high but this Austin-based “cosmic honky-tonk big band” doesn’t just meet them, they barrel through them in true Lone Star fashion. Their single “Didn’t Come Here to Count ’Em” is a shot of unfiltered rowdy alt-country goodness, delivered with a wink and a wall of sound.

From the first twang of Todd Pruner’s Telecaster, the energy is undeniable. Blending classic country storytelling with a surprising mix of synth and brass, the song hits like a backyard bender colliding with a New Orleans second line. The presence of Ian Romano on drums injects a tight yet unpredictable pulse, while Jon Merz’s trumpet and trombone blasts elevate the track into full honky-tonk carnival territory.

At the heart of the chaos is Camron Rushin, who spins the tale of a lovable drinker with a deeper weariness under the surface. His chorus “I didn’t come here to count ’em / I came here to drink ’em!” lands like an instant country classic, equal parts defiant and disarming.

Despite its riotous energy, the song is carefully crafted. Mixed and mastered by Erik Wofford (Spoon, Black Angels), it packs a punch without losing its ragtag charm. Like the band’s pandemic-era origin remote, improvised, and delightfully unfiltered this track is as much about spirit as it is about sound.

https://open.spotify.com/album/2PpKwE7W4ZL517ab7Uaxb7?si=qK1wM2BeQfuigQNTlPXZEw