With the help of Australian indie pop mainstay
Michael Carpenter (who both produces and plays most of the instruments, and also co-wrote three songs), singer/songwriter/
Gram Parsons biographer
Jason Walker returns with his second album. Mixing country, power pop, and a little
Band-style roots rock,
Ashes & Wine has a genial, mature feel akin to
Nick Lowe's later albums, and more aggressive songs like the tough-edged rocker "Dissatisfied" sit well next to the winsome, jangly pop of "Last Drinks" and the
Tom Petty-like "Please Save Your Tears." However, it's on ballads like "Drown in That River" and "You're on Your Own" that
Walker is at his most affecting. ~ Stewart Mason