Despite appearing on a host of Best Blues Albums of 2009 lists, U.K. guitarist/vocalist [wimpLink artistId="4968087"]Ian Siegal[/wimpLink] does not consider his fourth project to be a blues release, at least not in the traditional sense. But other related tag lines such as blues-rock, pop, or even roots rock don't adequately describe [wimpLink artistId="4968087"]Siegal'[/wimpLink]s music, either. It's better not trying to put a tag on it and just savor his tough combination of blues, rock, pop, and light funk delivered with passion and intensity. Although he is a solid lead guitarist, especially on slide, there are few instances where he solos extensively on these ten tracks. Rather, [wimpLink artistId="4968087"]Siegal[/wimpLink] relies on taut arrangements, gruff vocals, and sympathetic production from Nugene labelmate and backing guitarist [wimpLink artistId="5251093"]Matt Schofield[/wimpLink], to push his sharply written songs into a variety of dusky genres. Like many U.K. roots artists, he finds inspiration in American music. This album touches on [wimpLink artistId="11409"]Dr. John[/wimpLink]-influenced swamp rock ("Stealing from the Queen"), Southern soul ("Take a Walk in the Wilderness"), and even folk/country ("The Bleeding Cowboy's Lament"). [wimpLink artistId="4968087"]Siegal[/wimpLink] succeeds in everything he touches because his lyrical and melodic songwriting is sharp and memorable, not simply a framework to hang solos on. Listen to "Quarantine" as it unpredictably shifts time signatures halfway through to move into a [wimpLink artistId="3634161"]Beatles[/wimpLink] "I Want You (She's So Heavy)" groove, only to revert back to the peppy rock that it kicked off with. Songs such as "Kingdom Come" grind along on a tight riff with [wimpLink artistId="4968087"]Siegal[/wimpLink] growling lyrics, and borrowing a wordless lick from [wimpLink artistId="32879"]Cream[/wimpLink]'s version of "Rollin' and Tumblin'" as the band urges him along. He chooses to record with his road duo, enhanced by [wimpLink artistId="5251093"]Schofield[/wimpLink] and keyboardist [wimpLink artistId="6591296"]Jonny Henderson[/wimpLink], and their obvious skills to react to his cues add additional sparks to music that is already highly charged. [wimpLink artistId="4968087"]Siegal[/wimpLink]'s rugged voice perfectly complements songs that spit fire and brimstone ("cast me in shadow/baptize me in light") such as the lyrical boasting in the propulsive [wimpLink artistId="15042"]Little Feat[/wimpLink]-styled "Hard Pressed." He closes with a solo acoustic Delta-styled tune, very much in the shadow of [wimpLink artistId="1880"]Rory Gallagher[/wimpLink]. It displays yet another side to this talented artist who revels in his diverse niche and digs in deep on this impressive disc. ~ Hal Horowitz