James McMurtry

★★★

The Horses And The Hounds NEW WEST. CD/DL/LP

Texan troubadour’s 10th studio album. It’s been six years since

Complicated Game (2015) – McMurtry’s lean, literate last album, and arguably his best, though its two predecessors Just Us Kids (2008) and Childish Things (2005) were also formidable. The times between were spent on the road, which accounts for the grit in his voice and the ease of his delivery. Most of these 10 new songs sound made for a roadhouse stage, yet the lyrics read like American short stories, with various protagonists: the man behind the wheel whose wife keeps phoning to complain (What’s The Matter); the uncomplaining woman who meets a tragic end (ballad Jackie). For this LP, McMurtry went back to producer (Ross Hogarth) and guitarist (David Grissom) from his early major label albums. It’s good. Not quite up to par with the last three indie label releases, but he set the bar high. Standouts: Canola Fields and Decent Man.