In conjunction with the release and success of their concert film, Amyl and the Sniffers' live country cover album ‘Truth or Consequence (Live from El Coyote)’ flips the genre on its head. With 13 tracks of carefully curated gold, including two originals, the core meaning behind Amyl and the Sniffers transcends typical assumptions about country. 

With the opening of their initial live performance, the album kicks off with their song ‘Big Dreams’. Maintaining the energy of the original, the song is even more intense with its new association with the strong-woman-in-country cliché. The live aspect of this performance solidifies the talent of the Sniffers and shows that their desire for success has really come to fruition.

‘Hertz’ seamlessly translates into the country genre. The cadence and rhythm of the cover are reminiscent of classic ‘60s and ‘70s rock and roll, and showcase the immense, versatile talent of the Sniffers' bass and guitar flair from Gus Romer and Declan Mehrtens.

Whereas other songs have undergone a full transformation, ‘Bailing On Me’ is predictably the closest in its original form to the country genre. The riffs, tempo and melody remain very similar; however, the addition of traditional country techniques such as lead singer Amy Taylor's cadence and the inclusion of chimes and whistles shows the capability and creativity of the band. 

While country music may have certain connotations, Amyl and the Sniffers' punk politics is still the centre of this album. During the live performance of ‘Jerkin’, Taylor declares a distaste for political figures, doubling down by keeping it in the official album: “I think the world is so full right now, full of arseholes / I gotta tell them a piece of my mind / I'm sick of biting my tongue all the time, especially with certain leaders in certain countries”.

In this album, the band's songwriting expertise is clear with the introduction of original country songs such as ‘Fella’. The song describes a strong-willed woman actively pursuing a man. It flips the narrative of traditional males in country music with a catchy chorus: “Fella / Fella / We ought to be together / Gun against his head, he said he do / I said, 'you better'”.

The heavier use of guitar in the original ‘Chewing Gum’ translates well, once again showcasing the band's skill, but also revisiting the classic rock genre with reverberating guitar and echoing vocals. Coming back in with the standout guitar, ‘Facts’ stands by its original meaning of mainstream media rejection and the embrace of individuality, with an even more haunting atmosphere reflected by the same reverb as in ‘Chewing Gum’.

This rendition of ‘Caltex Cowgirl’ really emphasises the charm of live performance. The atmosphere created by the engagement and enjoyment from fans makes the song stand out. A working-class anthem, this performance would not be out of place among other grounded country stars. What is especially attractive is the use of the incredible guitar solo, one of two on the album. 

While the majority of the album has paid homage to classic country, ‘Snakes’ steps in with an intense stomp-and-holler-influenced sound. Rushing in with the fastest tempo on the album, it gives the vocals an opportunity to run circles around listeners. 

Entering with typical cheeky Amyl charm, ‘Me And The Girls (Are Drunk At The Pig Farm)’ continues the faster sound established with ‘Snakes’. The name being a parody of the original ‘Me And The Girls’, this cover is very heavy on band interaction. It also showcases the drums with a skilful solo from the band's own Bryce Wilson.

Slowing down the pace with another original song, ‘Little Bit Punk, Little Bit Country’ focuses exactly on what this album is about: the duality of people. Even more importantly, it focuses on women's independence with lyrics such as "I don't need a c*nt like you to love me / I'm a little bit punk and a little bit country”.

Paying homage to their own roots and a staple of Aussie country music, the Sniffers cover Slim Dusty's ‘Lights On The Hill’. Originally a political commentary on the ideal way of living being constantly out of reach, this cover does it justice, aligning with what the band has always stood for: working-class Aussies.

Closing off the performance and album with a tongue-in-cheek style, ‘Bag of Cocaine’ explores the drug culture of LA and Australia, with constant references to the bandmates themselves. Paired with a trad instrumental, the song represents the group's unapologetic nature and unrelenting humour.