Hayes Carll - Trouble In Mind (Lost Highway / Universal Music Canada)

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Upon first listen to the third record from the otherwise unknown Hayes Carll, I wasn't overly impressed. But as the record progressed, two things became clear as day: the first is that Carll has more in common with country and folk music rebels like Townes Van Zandt and Steve Earle than anything remotely close to new country; the second is that the man has a fantastic sense of humour. How can you not appreciate a track like album closer She Left Me For Jesus, containing lyrics such as "She says I should find him -- And I'll know peace at last. But if I ever find Jesus, I'm kickin' his ass". Not to say that Trouble In Mind is one big tongue in cheek listen -- far from it. Carll shows his songwriting chops are top notch on laid back numbers like Beaumont and Don't Let Me Fall while he can rock and romanticize with the best of them on songs like the bluesy Drunken Poet's Dream and the punchy Faulkner Street.

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With such a strong repertoire of songs at 32 years old, Carll is destined for the same greatness that has been bestowed upon his Texan folk-country predecessors.