Shooter Finally Gets It

Shooter Jennings first album tried to position him as a new Outlaw, just like his Dad in the early 70's. But it was to reverential to the past and Jennings himself sounded unsure about staking his Dad's turf. His followup was more of the same. But I'm glad to report that on his 3rd album, The Wolf, Shooter finally realizes that to being an Outlaw in today's Nashville means you won't get radio airplay, but you can still make music your own way. That's what he pulls off here. The nods to the past are still there, but less obvious. And after 3 albums, Jennings sounds more assured of where he's going to take his music. It'll be Outlaw but on his terms. If radio don't play it, then expect him to end up on an indie doing the same thing. It what Outlaw's do. Just like Dad.