Music Review: Willie Nelson

Willie Nelson has the incredible ability to play country-pop that doesn't sound like country-pop. Songbird, his latest album, explores Southern music, from an Allman Brothers Southern-rock feel to a gospel choir vibe, while maintaining a traditional country backdrop with Nelson's smooth-gravel voice. His laughter at the end of the first track sets the friendly tone of the Ryan Adams-produced album. Nelson sticks to his guns with country ballads like "Back to Earth" and "Stella Blue." The most stylized (lap steel guitar included) of them all, "Your Love," surprises with quiet but piercing distorted guitars that, if louder, could easily end an Oasis live show. The classic cover "Hallelujah" features Leonard Cohen's original lyrics with Jeff Buckley's melodic vocal style, adding shiver-inducing marching snare and background vocals. Songbird demonstrates excellent songwriting and relaxed humor throughout, such as when ?Nelson sings, "Sad songs and waltzes aren't selling this year," on an album filled with weepy ballads. Let's hope he's wrong.