Stronger Proof (Dualtone, 2004)

Deryl Dodd had a couple minor hits when he was laid low by a case of viral encephalitis that landed him in bed for six months. You'd think that with all that time to plan his comeback album he'd pick a better song to cover than Kenny Rogers's ode to 70's hedonism "Love or Something Like It." You'd think he'd realize that his forte is traditional country music and eschew the rocking "Let Me Be." You'd think he'd realize that a butt-smooch to the audience like "The Crowd" is no substitute for a carefully crafted CD.

In fairness to Dodd, it must be a lot harder to write one of thoseold-fashioned country songs where puns or wordplay make up a good part of the lyrics. Dodd gives it the old vocational school try on the title track to this CD. He doesn't want to believe his woman is running around and challenges her to show him she's true, but in the meantime he's drinking himself stupid. Get it? In both cases he wants more "proof." Clever, eh? He tries again on "Living Where You Told Me To Go," but it's a half-hearted attempt at best.

Dodd may someday be a great country singer, but we're going to need stronger proof than this.