The Houston native cements his credentials as the next great Texas troubadour on his major-label debut, arriving in stores Tuesday. Like Guy Clark and Steve Earle, Carll has the Texas twang and lazy drawl to bring out the boot-stomping good ol’ boy in you. And like the late Townes Van Zandt, he has the sly eye and sardonic humor to make you want to raise your beer with a hoot ’n’ a holler. Whether telling the tale of a jealous lover or a ne’er-do-well scratching for drinkin’ and druggin’ money, the 32-year-old singer-songwriter is spot-on. Download: “She Left Me for Jesus.” (Appearing Wednesday at the Lizard Lounge, Cambridge.)
4/29/2008