Braver New World (Elektra, 1996)

While country traditionalists may not be pleased, Jimmie Dale Gilmore(along with producer T-Bone Burnette) has created the most adventurousalbum of his career with "Braver Newer World." The album begins with the title song, and those dirty guitar tonesrumbling in the background herald a braver, newer Gilmore. But eventhough he may be stretching himself musically, the song is classic JimmieDale, as is much of the rest of the album - the quavery, nasal vocals andmetaphysical songwriting concerns are of a piece with his earlier work.

Other favorites include the evocative "Borderland," the noisy, menacing admonishment of "Headed For A Fall," the wistful tale of lost love, "Long, Long Time," a dreamy, measured reading of Joe Ely's "Because Of The Wind," Blind Lemon Jefferson's "Black Snake Moan" (transformed here into asurreal roadhouse romp), and the raucous album closer, "Outside The Lines."

Much like Emmylou Harris' "Wrecking Ball," "Braver Newer World" allows afresh and illuminating perspective of an artist that's determined not to bound down by anyone's preconceptions of their work.