Blue Notes [Import]

Burch started the hard-country WPA Ballclub before joining the dreamy alt-country band Lambchop. While his first two WPA records deftly updated traditional country sounds, here Burch moves to an even higher plane by adding just the right amount of Lambchop's atmospheric flair. His easy, affecting vocals capture the spirit of Jimmie Rodgers without being imitative and his songs, which on this album deal with love, loneliness, heartbreak and what's in between, convey his feelings with subtlety and grace. Along the way Burch assuredly plays with old-time mountain music, Dylanesque imagery, jazzy jaunts, spare honky-tonk and outlaw balladry--but it's the brooding, desperate laments like "Willpower", "Tonight, Tonight" and "Foolish Things the Lonely Do" that truly hit home. Mention must be made of his Ballclub mates, especially Paul Niehaus on steel and George Bradfute on guitars, who accent the music with taste and restraint as does Burch himself on everything from vibes to hand tom-toms. Nashville is still country's home even if Burch's abode sits miles from Music Row. --Marc Greilsamer