Those quick to stuff Texas journeyman Doyle Bramhall, the rare singer-songwriter-drummer, into the one-word category of blues do so at the risk of ignoring the “rhythm &” part of his sound. With the Bo Diddley stomp right out of the gate on “Lost In The Congo”, it’s hard to miss. Elsewhere, the suffix “rock” should be applied, as showcased on “Big” and “Top Rank Boxing”, which find Bramhall and the crack band assembled for the occasion (featuring C.C. Adcock and Denny Freeman, to name just two guitar aces) thunderbirding fabulously. But Bramhall is most interesting when taking a more subdued and nuanced tack. “Cryin'” and “I’ll Take You Away”, side by side at the album’s center, lower the voltage and, in doing so, turn up the feeling. With apologies to the neighboring “Tortured Soul”, you could label that centerpiece pair torched soul.