Bruce Robison
(Premium)
Mr. Kelly Willis is better-known by the hits he's written for other folks than any of his own recordings - namely, "Angry All the Time" for Faith Hill/Tim McGraw, Inc., "Wrapped" for George Strait and the ill-fated "Travelin' Soldier" for boycott victims the Dixie Chicks. The New World probably won't change that, which is a shame because it deserves a better fate than being treated as a glorified demo collection. But even the awkward cover art looks like what you'd slap onto a CDR of demo pitches than a finished product.
Give The New World some time, though, and it will sink its hooks into you. Modest though it is, it's eminently listenable pop-rock that doesn't call too much attention to itself even as you find yourself humming individual songs afterward. And wouldn't you know it, the impulse to match-make its songs with other singers is irresistible.
You can imagine Toby Keith swaggering through "The Hammer," or Brad Paisley making the most of the clever rapid-fire wordplay on "Only." And somebody call Kenny Chesney, because "California 85" is bound to be his next hit. But just so you don't get the wrong idea, The New World closes with "Echo," a loping meditation on million-mile reflections that Robison sounds like he wants to keep for himself.
Standout Tracks: "Only," "Echo" DAVID MENCONI
