(Perpetual Obscurity) www.paulthorn.com

Son of a Pentecostal preacher, folk artist in the style of Howard Finster, former professional boxer who once went six rounds before losing to Roberto Duran—Paul Thorn’s bio is the stuff of music publicists’ dreams. And while Long Way From Tupelo isn’t quite as quirky as said bio might suggest or as his previous records—standard, but top-notch, roots rock—it’s still a knockout. What separates Thorn from the pack is the gospel soul he exhibits musically in “What Have You Done to Lift Somebody Up” and vocally on every last song, from the hard-rocking title track to the acoustic eulogy “When the Long Road Ends.”

Standout Tracks: “Long Way from Tupelo,” “What Have You Done to Lift Somebody Up” ERIC SCHUMACHER-RASMUSSEN