Russ Tolman

Tracing similar terrain as his earlier, California-based work, Tolman sings the songs of a drifter who found his love and then lost her in the Salinas Valley. Guitar-based and extremely lyrical, Tolman has grown into his rough-hewn vocal style and sounds more comfortable with it than ever, aided by co-producer Steve Wynn and Wynn's band. "Two Drinks From Genius" has an eerie keyboard line and genuinely funny straight line: "Two drinks from genius and my breath is starting to smell." Great lines abound in "King City"; "She's My Alibi," a fairly trad folk-rock track is difficult to resist in its simplicity. Female vocals throughout the album add to the moody romance/obsession. With his Leonard Cohen/Lou Reed-style delivery, lovers of those wordsmiths will also find much to enjoy in Tolman's brand of Americana. ~ Denise Sullivan, All Music Guide