Josh Gracin - Josh Gracin (2004)

First single and leadoff track "I Want to Live" sets the tone for American Idol castoff Josh Gracin's self-titled debut fairly and honestly, as befits the shucks-y'all persona of this country-steeped Marine. Shuffle through, and the same rich, even-keeled yearning, pleading, and--when he's feeling plucky--persuading crop up song to song. It's soothing. It's get-what-you-paid-for satisfying. And it sails along like a sunny afternoon spent zipping along a southern highway. But it's also a little too simple, leaving the sense that Gracin, or somebody at his label, isn't quite ready to scuff up his cowboy boots by kicking it full twang ahead on a single track. Still, give him a pass this time for playing it safe: next go-round, with any luck, he will have scrapped his Garth Brooks influences (they come through loud and clear here on several tracks) and found a boot-stomper better suited to letting his honeyed--and humble--pipes dip, swerve, and soar. --Tammy La Gorce