Terrell - Angry Southern Gentleman (1995)

Gritty, brash, soulful roots rock -- that's one possible tag that would help define Terrell and his Pointblank/Virgin Records debut. Although it's hard to know if Terrell himself is indeed an Angry Southern Gentleman, it certainly makes a bewitching album title. And since his songs tell stories of God-fearing men in New Orleans, voodoo, Sunday shirts, liquor stores, redneck gigolos, whiskey, and lots of driving around, which everyone knows is the quintessential Southern activity, he seems to have a strong argument for his case. Terrell is a playful, creative songwriter, painting images and moods with phrases and melodies that work well together even when they are both battling for center stage. "Piece of Time" and "Toystore" showcase his humor and imagination, while "Broken Man," "Come Down to Me," and the title track bring out his more tender, thoughtful side, the latter being a poignant acoustic blues tale of leaving home without a return in sight or mind. Terrell also knows how to rock, as evidenced on "Newhope" and "Blacktop Runaways," but he never strays far from his blues roots whether loud or soft. That's the linchpin of the album, and he uses it well.