Different Point Of View (DreamWorks Nashville, 2001)

Rick Ferrell's voice sounds a lot like Glen Frey (of The Eagles), and his debut is also infused with a "Desperado"-like sadness. "Just Do It" is not that popular shoe commercial slogan, but a plea to get a hurting break-up over with as quickly as possible, and "Candles, Roses and Wine" indeed takes a different point of view, as it looks at the lack of love from a lonely woman's tearful perspective.

Although he doesn't preach about a life-in-the-fast-lane, he's not just a tears-in-your-beer kinda guy here. For example, "The Girl's Got It Goin' On" is set to a partying Tex-Mex feel, as it details the impact of a dangerously good-looking girl, and "I'll Always Love That Girl" underpins this tale of love from afar with warmly autobiographical detail. The sonic quality of this recording is nothing too special, but since Ferrell had a hand in writing each of these 12 songs, the fingerprint of his unique outlook is what makes this a notable release.