Gettin' Out the Good Stuff (MCA, 1996)

David Lee Murphy was one of the few shining lights among last year's crop of new country artists, and his second album doesn't disappoint. Singer-songwriters like Murphy often have trouble collecting enough good songs to fill a sophomore effort .But, if anything, Murphy, with his eye for a colorful image and ear for a great groove, has become even better. In "Pirates Cove," with its chugging drum beat and beautiful acoustic guitar solo, the singer returns to an old haunt in a "sure ol' 10-horse Evinrude and a 12-foot jon boat to carry the brew." On songs like "Born That Way" and the rocking "Gettin' Out the Good Stuff," Murphy glorifies the impoverished life where "you learn to live with what little you got." He displays a more sensitive side on the poignant lost-love song, "Breakfast in Birmingham," the cowboy tune, "100 Years Too Late," and the best song on the album, "The Road You Leave Behind." Murphy has the songwriting talent and musical focus to make him one of country's top stars.