Dead Man Walkin' - Scott Hisey

A terrific plain-country CD, powerful vocalist, strong songs.

I try not to be influenced by the face I see on an album cover, but I have to admit it was with trepidation that I finally put Scott Hisey's "Dead Man Walkin'" into the disc player. My fears were shortly relieved by some good music, but I have to say it -- he has GOT to lose the cookie-cutter-Tim-McGraw look, because it just about kept me from listening. Fortunately, I found his sound is a lot more original than his look, and with the twang of a guitar string and a rolling smooth baritone voice I was past the visual and enjoying the audio.

Hisey's powerful sound is only flawed by some production problems, which tended to focus too strongly on background vocalists that sound like they want to be in the foreground, notably in the opening "Goin' Under (Getting' Over You)" and "Cream In My Coffee" (otherwise a standout track), but most of the songs are tremendous, such as the gorgeous "I Won't Miss The Rain" and the sublime eeriness of "Barber Creek Road"; however, while I enjoyed the silly camp of "Foot Long Weinie" on first listen, it grows old fast.

Hisey dedicates the disc to his hero, the late Keith Whitley, and Whitley's inspiration is clear in the solid, rich sound and depth of feeling in each of the songs he's chosen here. His voice is excellent and his delivery is tremendous. This is mainstream country at its finest. I think Whitley would be proud. I just wish he'd choose a different look.