In the elite world of Texan songwriters, McMurtry is a master of his craft and this is clearly demonstrated with this disk. In his 10th studio album he tells exquisite stories about the hardscrabble lives of those trying to get by in the American heartland that are more novels set to music than songs. Whether it's a tough cowgirl cum trucker trying to save her ranch in 'Jackie' or a farmer who shoots his friend & neighbor in 'Decent Man', his superb tunesmithing makes you feel the angst even if you've never stepped foot on the high plains. The pathos in his languid vocal styling is deftly complemented by the hard driving guitar of David Grissom which together with Ross Hogarth's muscular production add a Rolling Stones type energy to the disk ala Honky Tonk Woman. Given this, even those who normally eschew country disks in favor of rock might want to give it a spin.

RIYL: Drive By Truckers, Dave Alvin, John Mellencamp

Canola Fields - enchanting story about meeting an old flame with great guitar work (med, 4:49)***
If It Don't Bleed - potent rocker about making the most out of our short lives (fast, 3:51)*
Operation Never Mind - Searing guitar adds gravitas to this critique on our sanitization of war (fast, 4:34)***
Jackie - woman's tragic fight to keep her horse ranch, with superb cello & organ (slow, 5:07)***
Decent Man - tragic story of a farmer who murders his neighbor based on story by Wendell Berry (med, 4:48)***
Vaquero - cowboy song with lovely accordion & JM singing much of the song in Spanish that was vetted by his buddy Alejandro Escovedo (slow, 4:31)**
The Horses and the Hounds - spooky, hard rocker (fast, 4:38)
Ft. Walton Wake-up Call - trippy, spoken word piece about the 'joys' of aging (fast, 5:16)
What's The Matter - uptempo ode to the life of touring musician (fast, 4:26)
Blackberry Winter - bittersweet tale of a couple calling it quits with great organ work (med, 5:09)***