Austin Collins,
Something Better

Label: Fat Caddy Records
Year: 2005

(3 out of 5)

Austin Collins has played guitar since elementary school, but the 26-year-old began writing songs and performing in public only after completing his studies at UT. In just those few years, however, Collins has honed his craft to where he is poised to become a solid regional alt-country performer with the February 1 release of his debut CD, Something Better.

With producer Billy Cerveny and engineer Mitch Dane (Jars of Clay), Collins assembled a solid cast of musicians and vocalists for the Nashville sessions that became Something Better. Together they created a sound that calls to mind Whiskeytown circa Strangers Almanac. Collins' vocal timbre melds Ryan Adams with a bit of Bruce Robison, but without either's polish.

The opening "22 Hours" is lyrically puzzling but sonically pleasing. "Emily" adds a dash of Steve Earle and multi-tiered instrumentation.

"Reckless & Lovely" slows things down a bit and features beautiful backing vocals and fiddle from Amanda Larson. It also begins a string of heartbreak songs, continued by "Something Better," "Leave Me for Dead," "Denver Nights," and "Things You Want the Most."

"Down" introduces a slightly darker theme of restlessness and misfortune. "Eyes Won't See" offers a hope of redemption, and perhaps even salvation. "Inside (Restless)" closes the album with a return to heartbreak.

Something Better is a pleasant 35-minute set even if it doesn't offer anything groundbreaking. It shouldn't be surprising that someone so new to the scene has yet to define a real groove for himself.

For now, I'm content to accept his offering for what it is: a solid if not spectacular debut from a promising singer/songwriter.

Buy: Lone Star Music, Amazon

January 28, 2005