Change in the Weather

Although this is his first nationally distributed album, Eric Lindell is probably already tired of hearing himself tagged as "blue-eyed soul." But there is truth in that description. Sounding somewhat similar to Delbert McClinton and, with his lanky frame and scraggly beard, looking a bit like a tattooed young Bruce Springsteen/Tom Waits mashup, Lindell has the pipes, the style, and the songs to break out of his bluesy niche and into the mainstream.

Recorded at various times in California and New Orleans with a revolving cast of musicians, Change in the Weather falls between a laid-back West Coast-styled soul, gritty Crescent City R&B, and a bit of frisky reggae. Despite the scattershot recording of these tracks, Lindell focuses the album's styles with dynamic and subtly emotional vocals that float with insistent assurance.Horns punctuate the Stax-styled "All Alone" and the breezy Caribbean groove of "It Won't Be Long" adds layers to the already warm, soulful approach.

While he never takes a solo, Lindell's ever-present rhythm guitar drives the sound, filling the spaces but leaving room for his low-key, commanding voice. He's clearly enjoying himself, and that enthusiasm shoots out of the speakers due to the singer's snappy, never fussy production and smartly arranged tunes that call you back for another listen.

On the basis of Change in the Weather, the forecast for Eric Lindell is--like his music--brisk, crisp, and balmy. --Hal Horowitz