_Bloodshot _

The son of Steve Earle who is also named after Townes Van Zandt, Justin Townes Earle comes from serious pedigree, but he never relies on his roots. Instead we find a man building his own castle where country rock, Guthrie folk, Memphis soul, swinging blues, tear-in-your-beer ballads and choir gospel mix like whiskey and ginger ale. There’s no substitute for a good voice, and with help from Calexico’s Paul Niehaus on pedal steel, standup bass by Bryn Davies and electric guitar from Jason Isbell, Earle’s weathered, timeless vocals elevate these songs toward greatness. If for some reason his first two albums didn’t catch your attention, it’s time to take notice.