BEAT FARMERS The Pursuit Of Happiness (MCA/Curb)

Like most post-punk country-rock bands, the Beat Farmers are more than slightly twisted; unlike many of ’em, they can also write songs and play their instruments. Their best stuff suggests the concerns and attitudes of Kinky Friedman crossed with the popcraft of the Hoodoo Gurus, and they even have the good sense to cover a Tom Waits tune from his currently-out-of-print Closing Time LP. Of course, if you wonder how a band that prints occasionally “tasteless” lyrics that they don’t even sing ends up on Mike Curb’s label.. .come to think of it, so do I. M.D.