This is a debut album a longtime coming. AJ Downing`s travels have taken him from coast to coast with many stops in between. It is as if he absorbed musical styles along with the images. Downing outstanding debut album is an amalgam of the musical styles that encompass alt.country. This isn`t "trying on styles to see which works." Country, folks, blues, gospel, Cajun, and rock seamlessly meld. Lyrically, Downing is pure storyteller in the tradition of great Texas songwriters, down to the subtle drawl of his vocals. In a year of many great releases, Downing`s debut has knocked many of them down a notch as he takes his place amongst the best. -- Jeff Weiss, Miles of Music (Charkansas Records)
