I thought Stella Parton's new CD would be an alt. country joy, and sadly the CD has proved to be a hideous disappointment. (See Review) I also thought Neal Coty was the next boring HAT ACT and I trepidatiously put his CD in my stereo, bracing myself to be assaulted by made-for- radio Pabulum.

Another one of those times I am downright giddy and anxious to scream from the mountaintops how wrong I was. Instead of screaming from said mountaintops I give y'all loyal readers this review.

Take some Steve Earle, a pinch of Eddy Raven, add some dollops of Gary Stewart and Radney Foster and you have the recipe for Neal Coty's irrepressible and thrilling voice and artistry.

Every single one of this CD's dozen-minus-one tracks is an irresistible gem, so much so that as of the writing of this review, I have played this CD three times in a row without pause.. and I don't see me stopping the stereo anytime soon.

The first single from this glorious CD is the definitely Steve Earle -sounding "Right Down Through The Middle of Us" and since the song communicates an irresistible swagger and killer lyrics such as "Suspicion Drove a Semi truck/Right Down through the Middle of us" - - i am wondering why this song has been released nearly two months and I have heard nary a whimper of this cut on the radio. OH wait, That is right.. Country radio would rather beat me over the head with pukey crap like yet another Lonestar ballad instead of pepping up by playing this nifty tune. "You're All That" is a sweet love song with that Eddy Raven hint that compels without swirling violins and pop affectation. Neal's cover of Tom Petty's "You Got Lucky' I daresay has more country-rock fire than the original. " Breathin'" is another dynamite mid-tempo number with more amazing lyrics such as "What's the point of fighting when the reason for staying are missing....Yeah I'm just breathin'" " Legacy" sounds like one of those songs Gary Allan is making hits out of this days.. only this song is a hell of lot more artistic. (Hopefully the similarity will get this amazingly talented fellow some radio play should this song be released as a single so the word can continue to be spread.)

The Bruce Springsteen-penned " Sad eyes" is pure joy (ironically).. and never heard a gloriously near-gospel anthem about the paradoxical empriness/thrill that striking oil can bring?... Then listen to "Black Heart Of Texas".. then listen again and again and again like I did the first time this song knocked me out of my chair.

The bounty continues with the again amazingly worded heartbreaker "Can't Change MY Love For you". When is the last time you heard a goodbye song with words this potent? : " Say Hello to your sister in L.A. /Let's not act Like someone's dying/A Grown man shouldn't be seen crying"

This beautiful album ends with a sexy Latin cut "South Texas Night" and the rarest of all things -- a love-of-family song that genuinely warms your heart instead of turning your stomach-- the touching "The Worst Way"

Oh wait, did I mention this amazing fellow also WROTE (or CO-wrote) most of the cuts on this album? And Did I mention you should barrel your mouse to wherever to order this CD RIGHT THIS INSTANT Well If I didn't,. consider it now mentioned.