Dale Watson apparently hates everything about modern country music, so it’s no wonder his vision of heaven—as described on one of this disc’s catchier tunes—is “a laid-back, beer shack, smoky old throwback honky-tonk called Big T.”

This is Watson’s third collection of original truck-driving songs, all paying homage to the likes of Dave Dudley and Red Simpson, and written and produced to sound like a mid-’60s release. One big difference, though: Simpson and Dudley both wrote tall adventure tales and roadside party songs that made the trucker’s life sound more exciting than it probably was.

But the truckers Watson writes about are more like regular Joes who drink tall cups of joe, just trying to earn their pay behind the wheel. Indeed, songs like “It’s Been a Long Truckin’ Day” and “I’m a-Truckin” (to the tune of Ray Charles’ “Busted”) may make you glad you do something else for a living.

As always, Watson’s favorite sound is Bakersfield honky-tonk with a bit of Sun Records echo. For variety there’s “Texas Armadillo,” a close cousin to Loudon Wainwright III’s “Dead Skunk.” His best number here isn’t strictly a trucking song: “We’re Truckin’ Along” is a duet with Amber Digby that celebrates the less romantic details of married life.

But there isn’t a modern reference anywhere in the lyrics. From the sound of things, the roadside diners and service stations on his highways haven’t changed in the past half-century.

So this album won’t stand a chance on country radio, but the folks down at the Big T are probably loving it.