Rebelution (DreamWorks Nashville, 2002)

Tony Stampley's 2000 album for Tri Chord has been updated with two new songs here, a first-rate mix of modern country sentiment with '70s-style Southern rock. The son of country legend Joe Stampley, Tony Stampley heavily reflects the vocal influence of rebel note-benders John Anderson and Hank Williams Jr. and owes a musical debt to Waylon Jennings and ZZ Top. Along with various partners - including Randy Travis, Stampley has crafted some truly fine hook songs that resonate with humor and heartache.

Especially catchy are the big beat odes to abandoning one's PC in favor of outdoor pleasure "American Offline," the clever Waylonesque "I Hate To See You Go (But I Love To Watch You Walk Away)" and the lusty ZZ Top-inspired "Bad Girl (Looking For A Good Time)." Also, Bocephus style twang and boogie echo through the sharp-tongued put-downs of "Waste of Good Whiskey."

Like his father, Stampley the younger can tug at the heartstrings as well as rock. Utilizing a trembling baritone he poignantly essays heartache's haunting aftershocks with "Dreamin' Again" and the lingering boyhood disappointment of "He Never Said He Loved Me."

Smartly produced and vigorously executed, this is a genuinely worthwhile reintroduction to this promising artist.