To record their new album, Sour Juice And Rhyme (their second on Righteous Babe Records), Bitch and Animal locked themselves in a house in the Massachusetts countryside, connected with nature and played croquet until their arms were sore. On their own and with the help of co-producer June Millington (best known as the leader of the pioneering ‘70s rock band Fanny), Bitch and Animal brought the energetic vibe and spontaneity of their live shows into the studio. On the disc, comic storytelling splashes up against somber ballads, percussive spoken word, Carter Family country and street-smart rap. The end result is a potent cocktail of genres, moods and messages, expertly blended by two city geeks kickin' back on a farm, letting it all hang out.

The serenity of rural life had an obvious effect on the album; its light-hearted, relaxed air is a far cry from the hustle and bustle of the duo’s current base of operations, New York City. After all, how else could they conceptualize a thugged-out, hip-hop ode to one of high-society’s most beloved sports? The delightfully bizarre and insanely catchy "Croquet" is just that: the world's first shout-out to Victorian-era recreation. The soaring country twang of "Betty Ford" is the band’s catchy response to a Behind the Music marathon and "Feminist Housewives" is a longtime concert staple now preserved for posterity. On a completely different tip (or "tit," as they would probably say), "You Left Out" is a delicate sketch of a broken heart, delivered with atmospheric harmonies and candid poetry.

Whether the cause was the change of scenery, their extensive touring schedule, the alignment of the planets or what the band eats for breakfast, the result is this: Bitch and Animal have loosened their belts and made an album with even more personality than its predecessor, 2001's Eternally Hard. Together with guest stars Melissa York of the Butchies and Evelyn Harris of Sweet Honey in the Rock, this dynamic duo is gonna touch you in places you want to be touched. Whether you’re an adventurous music fan or simply a lawn sports enthusiast, Sour Juice And Rhyme will bring you both the sweetness of an evening country breeze and the unchecked chaos of the barnyard. As wholesome and nutritious as a frosty glass of homo milk, it's farm fresh and free-range funky.