Earl Foss' Brown Derby

With major influences like George Jones and the original cosmic cowboy Gram Parsons as guides, Madison newcomers Earl Foss' Brown Derby Band have produced one of the better country disks to come out of this gussied-up cow town in recent memory. Singer John Kunert communicates sincerity every time he's on the mike, and his pairing with Kristen Kehl on the 'Always and Forever' is raw enough to make it something more than your typical George and Tammy tribute. For something a little more rocked up, there's the pedal-steel-soaked 'Silver Eagle,' a forlorn trucker song that rides a ribbon highway into the high-lonesome night. Some of the production isn't as supportive as it could be, but this is a strong debut from a straight-ahead (and laudably irony-free) band that bleeds a little on every track.