My Town

With their third release, Montgomery Gentry, the only duo to seriously challenge Brooks & Dunn, again marry the sinewy muscle of Southern rock with blue-collar pride and passion, but dig deeper to showcase the music behind the machismo. Drafting such players as Allman Brothers/Rolling Stones alum Chuck Leavell and John Mellencamp/Joe Ely /Storyville vet David Grissom, the Kentucky pair turn the title song into a sweeping anthemic declaration of place and belonging, and then smoke their way through "Why Do I Feel Like Running," in which a restless man regrets his "gypsy bone." Part of their appeal is the ease with which these ultra-manly men reveal their vulnerability and pain, Eddie Montgomery letting it show in every word from his strong-as-oak baritone, and Troy Gentry showcasing it on the jilted lover's plea "Lie Before You Leave." That said, MG, who count on attitude to lift the more clichéd bar-band tunes, have yet to make the album of their career, and they move a little more toward pop each time out, no matter what the blistering electric guitars and driving banjos hope to convey. Keep your eye on these guys. They could go either way. --Alanna Nash