Springsteen's Ghost Of Tom Joad and Nebraska are big inspirations to Rod Melancon's story songs.
A native of South Lousiana, he also channels his honky tonking country roots into the deadpan humour of A Man Like Me Shouldn't Own A Gun and the romanticism of By Her Side but rocks hard on the other three tracks.
These evoke a world of violent drifters and family tragedy. Perry tells of a man with whom you don't want to mess while Dwayne And Me is the story of his aimless second cousin.
Easily the best thing here is Lights Of Carencro which centres on the tragic death of Melancon's brother, killed by a drunk driver in 1976.
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Told from his father's point of view, it begins as if he's about to launch into Purple Haze and features guitar licks that are more than a match for those of Mick Ralph's riff on his brother's favourite song - Bad Company's 'Feel Like Making Love'.
The tune blazes with righteous vengeance, as though vividly condensing the drama into a three and half minute movie.
The fierce, gloves off quality of these five songs positive ooze authenticity and urgency.
Rod Melancon's website
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