Opening track, "Mrs. Jones," also separates itself from typical country music lyrically by painting the character study of a girl that's a lot wilder than her mother imagines. Most mainstream country music these days is far too lightweight to ask the sort of questions raised by this insightful track. Stylistically, Billy Roberts tends to lean toward harder, electric guitar rocking music. However, "No More Mr. Nice Guy" runs to an upbeat, two-stepping groove that is colored by harmonica. Then on "Not That Special," lovely steel guitar gives this track its winning, forlorn quality.

Thankfully, Billy Roberts and the Rough Riders are not the last originals on the music scene. However, the sort of originality expressed with the act's new work is quickly becoming a rarity in the country genre and something truly heartening to hear.