The Truth (Warner, 1997)

Brady Seals, formerly with Little Texas, steps out stronger on his own. He avoid's LT's HNC excesses. He stretches it out musically, going beyond country by including the soulful leadoff "Natural Born Lovers" and the blues rocking closer "Junkie for Your Love." He also turns it down a few notches on the ballad "Kentucky Boy." He sings with far more feeling than his former cohorts ever did (the acoustic based "She Doesn't Love Me Anymore.")

The songs maintain a catchiness (the title track) without sounding manufactured. Perhaps credit co-producer Rodney Crowell for that. This is a disc that gets stronger with each listen. That's the truth.