Private Radio

Like many actors-turned-musicians, many listeners will look at 's debut album, , with a smug bewildered condescension, wondering what gives him the right to cut a record. The thing is, , like many other actors that also cut records, played in bands long before he appeared in films. It is true that his celebrity is part of the reason he was given a chance to record, but that long history of playing in serves him well on , giving his voice a ruggedness and musicianship a welcome supplement. Of course, it helps that he's working with producer/co-writer and has a team of studio veterans supporting him, giving the record a pleasing professional musicality. is still 's show, and he comes across like a Southern version of crossed with a -addicted , at times grumbling over sparse acoustic guitars, at times slyly delivering roadhouse ravers, laments, and anthemic . Sure, it's possible to imagine legions of listeners chortling at lines like " what's come between us?/Could it be the magic and mystery of love?" and there are other moments that sorta fall flat, either in their earnestness or their poetic jumble. Still, this is a pretty good record all the same, better than most records of the late '90s, thanks in no small part to a terrific stretch of songs mid-record ( the rollicking and ), and a good cover of ' ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine