Texas Platters

Two years ago, AM Country Heaven established Jason Eady as a Texas songwriter worth watching, and follow-up fifth LP Daylight & Dark cements the reputation, even if the Fort Worth singer still hasn't quite yet hit his stride. Eady's compositions go down like sipping whiskey, easy but with just enough bite to feel it. That's both a credit and an obstacle as he continues to find his voice. His songwriting's most convincing in Seventies country tones, hearkening Don Williams on the title track and Willie Nelson on the excellent "Liars and Fools," yet the album misgauges at the outset with "OK Whiskey," reaching for red-dirt honky-tonk but lacking the substantial kick. Eady's best as balladeer: the rolling sway of "The Other Side of Abilene," touch of broken grit in "Temptation," and drawl to "Lonesome Down and Out." As he continues carving a niche, Jason Eady will eventually strike gold.