is only 's second album, but already he sounds like a veteran singer/songwriter. His tales of drifters and searchers, full of sharp observations and biting wit, invite comparisons to , , and , while his talent has brought collaborations with and . For a Texas singer/songwriter, those are big shoes to fill, but the Houston native fills them admirably. has said, with tongue undoubtedly in cheek, that he chose to write about Little Rock because there are already so many songs written about Texas, but the terrific title track ably demonstrates that he has no need for a songwriter inferiority complex. The rip-roaring tune, featuring ace sessionman 's down-and-dirty guitar work, has crisscrossing America searching for happiness before deciding to return to Little Rock. His up-tempo, rockier numbers -- like the aforementioned the colorful front-porch rap (that name-checks everyone from to ), and the rollicking life-of-a-musician tune -- jump off the disc and immediately grab the listener's attention. But is just as impressive on his quieter, more introspective tunes. is a touching ode to a departed friend, while the essays a relationship come undone. His gifts for observation and humor also are showcased on the vibrantly written opening track, and the western-style jazzy tale The former is a bittersweet journey through his past, while the latter, a duet with about his old high school buddies, finds pondering, "where did all my good friends go." With just two albums under his belt, has stepped into the forefront of the Texas troubadour scene. ~ Michael Berick