The Future is Unknown (Capitol, 2004)

In a famous 1974 concert review, Jon Landau wrote "I have seen rock and roll's future and its name is Bruce Springsteen." It was one of the last reviews he would ever write because shortly thereafter he became Springsteen's manager. Well, I have just had my Jon Landau moment. I have seen country music's future, and the future is Unknown. Unknown Hinson, that is.

Unknown is the funniest artist to come along since the Austin Lounge Lizards or the Five Chinese Brothers, but where those guys were politically and socially aware, Unknown has only one thing on his mind - the art of love. Unknown is not a handsome man (he has only two teeth and his face is a composite of all the worst features of Elvis Presley, Richard Nixon and Vlad Dracula), but he is a born romantic. "Polly Urethane" is a touching love song to a blow-up doll ("I'm glad I chose to date you / it didn't take long to inflate you.") He's also brave ("I Ain't Afraid of Your Husband") and gallant ("I Cleaned Out a Room in My Trailer For You") and honest ("I Make Faces When I Make Love".)

If you want a glimpse of music's future, grab up this CD today. And, Unknown, if you need a manager, call me.