We've been through this before, but could someone please explain how Buddy Miller is so opposite from any mockable, vapid, Nashville act? Is it just that he wears a ballcap and jean jacket?

His lyrics mostly don't stray anywhere deep, just the same old gettin' over gals, kissing other ones and, ugh, his feelings. Actually, that's his wife Julie's song, I Can't Get Over You. Sample lyric: "If memories were like the leaves that fall, the wind would have carried them from my mind." That's a great simile, you should read that at this year's grad, man.

The reason for the slight sneer is that Buddy Miller has all this street cred in the country world, but really, he's just trying to write songs and get rich using the same weaponry that's arguably making it so dull.

Not that there's anything wrong with that. If you're Cody Cowboy or whoever, looking for a solid hook, Miller's your man. His songs are easy to follow and he sings them like a real ironed-shirt cowboy would.

Still, the title track, another Julie tune, is pretty hot; epic, man. Water When the Well is Dry is well-penned, and a teriffic Jim Lauderdale-assisted song called When It Comes to You shows off Buddy's chameleon powers. A whole album of this kind of creativity would be awesome.

But the big drums and hokey power whining come back too often. Therefore, bring me the Disintegration Ray, Igor.

Track Listing
1. The Price of Love
2. Wild Card
3. I Can't Get Over You
4. Midnight and Lonesome
5. When it Comes to You
6. Water When the Well is Dry
7. A Showman's Life
8. Little Bitty Kiss
9. Please Send Me Someone to Love
10. Oh Fait Pitii D'Amour
11. Quecreek