Ty Herndon - Steam (1999)

A bit of a departure from his previous work, Steam is an appealing collection of songs from a man who wanted to make "feel-good music." And feel good we do with suggestive lyrics like, "Tonight when we get together, we're gonna make some steam" from the album's title song or "My heart stops when you touch me" from the uptempo "A Love Like That." With a new production team in tow, Herndon has played a bigger part in selecting the album's songs, which have a spritual undertone, and it's clear he sings from the heart, as he always has. He includes a fan favorite from his live show, the sexy remake of Joe Cocker's "You Can Leave Your Hat On." This fourth album is a step in the right direction for an artist whose career boasts two gold albums and three number-one singles. © Maria Konicki Dinoia