James Lann isn’t a name known to many people outside of Texas but that hasn’t stopped him from crafting a very strong album in FORD.   The album’s title track F.O.R.D. is chock-full-o sly humor about being a proud owner of a Ford while “Deep In The Heart of this Texan” is a sweet ballad set to a deliciously traditional two-step melody.  “It’s Not Your Time” is as good as anything put forth by the Nashville community something which can also be said about “I’m From The Country.” 

Lann’s voice recalls Fellow Texan Clay Walker while also at other times reminding me of Garth Brooks or Zona Jones.  “The Picture” is a ballad of Garthian proportions as James sings about a man who didn’t ‘get the picture’ until it was too late to save a relationship.   “Moving On” is another strong ballad while “Honky Tonk Two Step Queen” is the exact kind of traditional song that used to light up summer country music airwaves and while it may not have done that in the rest of America, in Texas it was a sure-fire hit and ended 2009 as the eighth most played song on over 80 Texas stations, as compiled by the Texas Music Chart. 

As we start out 2010 with a typical slow new release cycle, why not gear up for some great upcoming albums by checking out this fine 2009 release (it also had a short run as a self-released album in 2007).

You can support James Lann by purchasing this album at eMusic | iTunes.