Dwight Yoakam

On his 16th long-player, Dwight Yoakam takes full control of his music. All 12 songs were written and produced by Yoakam, and they all feel firmly rooted in the Bakersfield, Calif., sound (except "Three Good Reasons," which sounds like it was mixed at Sun Studios in Memphis). Burning Telecasters twang and bend everywhere on this awesome album.

Sounds older, and the infirmity becomes him ("Blame the Vain," "Three Good Reasons"). (Grade - **)