The songs on "Hard Luck Stories" were recorded in Chicago and produced by Reilly and Ed Tinley, featuring special guests like Shooter Jennings, and David Lowery and Johnny Hickman of Cracker, among others.

Two additional tracks not included on the digital version ("Flowers On Down" and "Broken Parakeet Blues" live) will be added to the CD version, making it a must-buy for all Reilly fans.

In describing "Hard Luck Stories," Chicago Magazine praises Reilly's "outlandish storytelling, underdog combativeness, and slapstick humor," Cincinnati City Beat lauds the "scuffed and noir-ish tales of modern life. ...fusing dirty R&B grooves into his swaggering Pop/Roots sound... Ike Reilly's most amazing accomplishment over the past decade is that every new album is his best ever and yet the new one in no way ever diminishes the greatness of his existing catalog." Stereo Subversion calls Reilly a "genre-bending journeyman" and a "rough-around-the-edges Americana troubadour." And The Big Takeover appreciates Reilly's "wordy but focused storytelling in his lyrics, his rock & roll sneer and his rough-edged folk rock sound. These 'Hard Luck Stories' will resonate long after the music stops flowing."

Before Ike and his band, The Assassination, hit the road this spring, they are planning a four-show residency at Schuba's in Chicago every other Monday beginning January 18th. Interesting opening acts like improvisational geniuses T.J. Jagadowski and Dave Pasquesi and the wonderful L.A. band Jason Heath and the Greedy Souls will make these must-attend shows. Other surprise guests will be announced over the next few weeks. Tickets are only $10 each and all shows are 18 and over. Fans who attend all four of the shows will, with their ticket stubs in hand, be able to attend a special after-party with the band on March 1st. Tour dates for the forthcoming spring tour will be announced soon.