Album: John Fullbright, From the Ground Up (Blue Dirt)

Well-made mid-American roots-rock by a young Oklahoman, who may harbour legitimate Springsteen/Fogerty fantasies.

Here's hoping that it doesn't turn out all Mellencamp then. The music is rugged, earthy, masculine, irrigated with organs and guitars rotating attractively, though not with great originality, on solidly planted chordal structures. The songs are about big things. Voice? A dustbowl Rufus Wainwright. He sounds as if he's in it for the long pull.