(Yep Roc)

www.yeproc.com

Rarely has the line between so-called alternative country and so-called mainstream country been so, well, so-called. On their fifth studio full-length, Reckless Kelly show the kind of songwriting chops and musical tightness that should have the likes of Keith Urban lining up at their door to cover these songs, especially the rocking “Ragged as the Road” and “Love in Her Eyes.” And while the cutting “American Blood” — an unsentimental and sympathetic tale of a vet whose experiences in Iraq lead him to cuss “God bless America, but God damn Uncle Sam” — ain’t likely to ingratiate the band to Nashville, everything else here should. Of course, it’s that edge and commitment to ideals rather than formula that means it probably won’t.

Standout Tracks: “Love In Her Eyes,” “American Blood” ERIC SCHUMACHER-RASMUSSEN