Mario Tarradell

B

Zane Lewis

(Slant Records)

A LITTLE TEXAS, A LITTLE NASHVILLE: On his sophomore disc, Allen resident Zane Lewis confidently props himself on the fence that divides the Lone Star State from Music City U.S.A. His brand of rocked-up country, testosterone twang to the hilt, explodes from the first note. The Lubbock native is undoubtedly part of the current crop of big boys making honky-tonk noise that also includes Chris Cagle and Keith Anderson. But while those other two are at least slightly homogenizing their sound for mainstream country radio security, Mr. Lewis wants to keep his Texas credentials.

SOUTHERN FIRECRACKER: Obviously, the tall, lanky singer is most charged during the barn burners such as "Welcome to the Southland" and "Becky Brown's Daddy," among others. He still needs to break in his ballad boots, though. "Come With Me" feels forced, like he's trying to produce emotions he can't quite convey. With that said, the closing "Even a Leaf" works beautifully thanks to the clever lyrics and powder-key chorus. That song could do exceedingly well on national country radio. It's certainly better than the wimpy ballads we get from other male country singers these days.

BOTTOM LINE: Zane Lewis, which follows 2003's This Town , is definitely the right record for Middle America audiences. This Town felt too regional, sometimes too amateurish. Now Mr. Lewis is ready. He's got the songs, the sound and the robust voice for a mass crowd.

Mario Tarradell