Lucky Ones (Republic, 2004)

For his follow-up to "Wave On Wave," Texan Pat Green enlists the aid of two John Mellencamp veterans, producer Don Gehman and violinist Lisa Germano. The result is a rootsy offering that often recalls Mellancamp's early '90s recordings.

Co-writing with a host of talented tunesmiths, Green smoothly spans the country-pop-roots spectrum in this 12-song set. Top selections include the bouncy title track, co-penned by fellow Texan Radney Foster, and the reflective "My Little Heaven," one of two songs co-written with Rob Thomas of Matchbox 20. In "College," Green and Brad Paisley slyly swap reminiscences about the "best days of my life...where I learned almost everything that I know without ever gaining knowledge." Green's gentler side emerges on the acoustic ballad "Temporary Angel," but he's back in rough and rowdy form on the Ray Wiley Hubbard-assisted "Sweet Revenge" and "Somewhere Between Texas and Mexico."

Gehman's production keeps things in a solid 1980-1990's pop groove with just enough Austin thrown in to call it country.