One of the dirty secrets of the music "industry" is that almost every artist has a day job. Not exactly a secret, I suppose, and some musicians actually utilize their art in their work. But I've reviewed albums by social workers, teachers, trash collectors, newspaper reporters and, yes, lawyers.

Dirk Schwenk & The Truth Along the Road EP (self-released)

A lot of lawyers, actually. Men and women, though if memory serves more women than men. I work in a law firm (doing everything but lawyer work, since I am not a lawyer), and I'm not sure where these folks get the time. But I'm glad they do.

Dirk Schwenk is a lawyer from Annapolis (just down the road from me), and he sings in that soaring Nashville-meets-americana sound that often tends to piss off fans of both. Good for him. He's got a fantastic voice, and he hooked up with some top-notch musicians and producers to create these five songs. Each one tells a complete story, both musically and lyrically, and the end of the set leaves a clear sense of regret.

Thirty years ago this would have passed for something along the line of "new traditionalist" country, and Schwenk certainly has listened to his fair share of Dwight Yoakum, etc. There are also touches of the folkier side of 80s and 90s country (Emmylou Harris and especially Mary Chapin-Carpenter, which makes sense as Bob Dawson recorded this EP). Sonically, it's out of time. Musically, it's wonderful. Schwenk has a voice that will endure, time machine or no. I'm glad the law paid the bills for this one.

Jon Worley