The quirky and with the self-fashioned "Big Red" double-necked steel guitar always seems like he's got his tongue in his cheek, whether he's doing a travelogue tale by ( ) or a hilarious spy romance fable ( ). and his extreme tenor have their sweeter, romantic side in full bloom here as well ( ), and it's clear he has a penchant for classic Southern sounds like the tune He complements a mix of fast-paced and gently laconic originals with a folksy reading of a tune written by his idol, ). The listener might be so riveted by 's voice, attitude, and lyrical dramas that he or she might miss another of the album's consistent joys -- his potent electric guitar jamming, used well as harmony and in solo spots. ~ Jonathan Widran