2:30 AM (Syren, 2004)

There's not a great deal of twang on Nashville singer/songwriter Kevin Montgomery's latest release. The country pop influence of the Eagles appears strong, and vocally Montgomery has a touch of country contemporary Vince Gill and '70s pop singer Gerry Rafferty.

While in the tune "Cherokee City" Montgomery relates the frustration of being a struggling musician ("I ain't a star I drive used cars") his lineage (father Bob wrote with Buddy Holly, mother Carol sang background for Elvis) affords him connections in the Nashville music scene. His primary producer is Mavericks bassist Robert Reynolds, and he is also joined by Mavericks drummer Paul Deakin and legendary session man Al Perkins on steel guitar. Montgomery is supported vocally by Trisha Yearwood ("Tennessee Girl") and Lee Ann Womack ("I Can't Drive You From My Mind") on a pair of tracks that would fit comfortably on mainstream country radio.

Most of the tunes were co-written by Montgomery throughout the '90's. The lone cover is Bruce Springsteen's "No Surrender," which seems to reflect some of Montgomery's own musical education ("We learned more from a three minute record baby/Than we ever learned in school"). With solid tunes and pleasant vocals, Kevin Montgomery has delivered an impressive collection.