OK…Matt threw this review at me because the artist listed the Byrds and Flying Burrito Brothers as influences.  His first mistake…I expected soaring harmonies and chiming 12-string guitars.  Instead, I got a very polished and well-executed slice of Americana.  While the Byrds' influence is buried (this is primarily an acoustic effort), I was surprised to hear some very distinctive Gene Clark phrasings and textures.

To be honest, I wasn’t sure what to expect…this guy has been around for some three decades and has been wandering a national club circuit.  I will tell you, however, that this is a SOLID effort that can be a breakthrough disc for this artist.  If you had to apply a label to TR, it might be in the progressive country real. I picked up a sense of Townes Van Zandt and Willie Nelson in the tracks for this album.

The first cut, “St. Patrick’s Day” is a real gem and could be a breakthrough country hit if it can get a toehold. The title track, “Love Won Out,” is dedicated to TR’s late brother and is becoming a Pro Gay Marriage anthem.  It’s a bluesy riff that becomes even more poignant in light of the banning of gay marriage in CA in the last election.  While I’m straight, I have a difficult time understanding the logic of a state's electorate that will deny the rights of any two people who love each other and want to commit.  At the same time, voters in CA opted to make sure that the chickens and pigs that we slaughter have enough room to turn around in their cages before we eat them.  “Don’t ask, don’t tell, you can go to hell cause love won out.“

Back to the album…

There’s some damn fine work on this release  “Word for You,” and “Goodnight Carrie, I’m coming Home” are just pretty tunes and feature some great mandolin work.  I’m giving this a **** ½ star rating and have no hesitations in recommending “Love Won Out” to our readers.