Resettled back to Central Texas, Will Courtney has likewise returned to a comfortable sound with third solo LP Crazy Love. 2016’s Planning Escapes struck searchingly, diving into rootsy power-pop and a nostalgia for “The Days When Bands Could Make You Cry.” Now, the former Brothers & Sisters frontman’s latest platter rings even more confident in building a wall of sound from heavy Sixties and Seventies influences, such as Courtney’s warm, nasal tenor ringing like Tom Petty. Opener “Too High Now” stings with Crazy Horse guitars, a wailing influence reinforced by covering late Neil Young sideman Danny Whitten on “Look at All the Things.” Alt.country licks surface on the title track and steel-drenched “Drunk on Your Songs Again” and “When Will I Find My Love,” which ache with a Jay Farrar loneliness. The song cycle turns through tunes about waiting out a wilting love through wasted nights, a classic theme reworked in Courtney’s oddly soothing limited vocals. The final pairing of “Finally” and “Partner in Time” work back to find resolution and love. As with Brothers & Sisters’ psych-laced pop harmony, Courtney doesn’t try to remake the sound as much as find his perfect place within it.

***.5

This article appears in September 21 • 2018.

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Doug Freeman has been writing for the Austin Chronicle since 2007, covering the arts and music scene in the city. He is originally from Virginia and earned his Masters Degree from the University of Texas. He is also co-editor of The Austin Chronicle Music Anthology, published by UT Press.